What Is Erkuai and Ersi? 饵块/饵丝 Explained

Find your next discovery

Search the atlas

Search by English name, Chinese name, region or meal.

Yunnan · Rice staple

Erkuai and Ersi

饵块/饵丝

ěr kuài / ěr sī

Related Yunnan rice foods: erkuai is shaped as cakes or sheets, while ersi is cut into noodle-like strands.

Grilled erkuai rice cake in Dali
Photo: David Hall · CC BY 2.0
FromYunnan
Eating occasionLunch or dinner
Dish typeRice staple
FlavorChewy · Savory · Versatile

01

What is Erkuai and Ersi?

Related Yunnan rice foods: erkuai is shaped as cakes or sheets, while ersi is cut into noodle-like strands.

02

Flavor profile

Chewy · Savory · Versatile

Related Yunnan rice foods: erkuai is shaped as cakes or sheets, while ersi is cut into noodle-like strands.

03

Key ingredients

Cooked non-glutinous rice processed into a dense, chewy dough, served with sauces, pickled vegetables, herbs, egg or meat depending on the dish.

This is a food guide, not a recipe. Ingredients and preparation vary between cooks, shops and cities.

04

How it is usually made

The rice is steamed, pounded and shaped. Erkuai may be grilled or stir-fried; when cut into thin strands as ersi, it is commonly served in broth or stir-fried.

05

Origin and food culture

Erkuai and ersi are characteristic Yunnan rice foods made from processed non-glutinous rice. Names, shapes and preferred preparations vary between Kunming, Dali, Tengchong and other localities.

Erkuai is commonly grilled, wrapped or stir-fried; ersi is cut into thin strands and served in broth or stir-fried. They are related forms, not wheat noodles.