地锅鸡Xuzhou Iron Pot Chicken: A Bold Feast in One Pot! A Must-Try Chinese Farmhouse Flavor for Foreign Travelers
Imagine this: a heavy black iron pot is brought to your table, bubbling with soy-braised chicken, while golden flatbreads cling to the rim of the pot. Steam rises, carrying the fragrance of Sichuan peppercorns mixed with the toasted aroma of bread. This is Iron Pot Chicken (Diguo Ji)—a rustic and hearty experience that captures the soul of Chinese farmhouse cooking. If you want to taste the fiery spirit of China’s food culture, this one pot will make you fall in love with authentic local flavors!
1. Origins and History
The story of Iron Pot Chicken began with fishermen living by Weishan Lake. To save time and fuel while cooking on their boats, they would stick dough onto the sides of the pot while stewing dishes inside—cooking bread and food all at once. This practical method spread to the Xuzhou region, where it merged with free-range chicken, creating today’s Iron Pot Chicken. It reflects the wisdom of ordinary people making “one pot meals” that are both hearty and efficient.
2. Cultural Significance
In Xuzhou, Iron Pot Chicken represents warmth and togetherness. Friends and family gather around one pot, sharing chicken and flatbreads soaked in rich broth. It shows the bold and hospitable spirit of northern China. This dish can be both a humble farmhouse meal and a star attraction in restaurants, bridging the everyday with the legendary.
3. Ingredient Highlights
The main ingredient is free-range chicken, prized for its firm and chewy texture. The essential companions are handmade flatbreads, plus flavor-packed seasonings like Pixian chili bean paste and green Sichuan peppercorns. Half of the bread soaks in the broth, soft and flavorful, while the exposed half turns crispy and golden, creating a perfect textural contrast.
4. Cooking Process
Its uniqueness lies in the concept of “three-in-one cooking.” First, chicken pieces are stir-fried until golden, then simmered in rich broth. Finally, hand-rolled flatbreads are pressed onto the rim of the pot. As the dish cooks, the lower part of the bread absorbs the essence of the stew, while the upper part stays crisp—achieving the ideal one-pot balance of dish and staple.
5. Flavor and Texture
The chicken is rich with savory bean paste flavor, balanced by a mild numbing spiciness. The bread offers two textures: the soaked half is soft and juicy, while the exposed half is crisp like a cracker. Bite after bite, alternating between chicken and bread, makes this dish truly irresistible.
6. How to Eat
The best way is with your hands—tear off the bread, dip it into the broth, and savor. Locals usually start with the crispy parts, then use the softer bread to wrap pieces of chicken, and finally wipe the pot clean with the remaining bread. Pairing it with a chilled beer takes the experience to the next level.
7. Tasting Tips
You can find Iron Pot Chicken in farmhouse-style restaurants across Xuzhou, Zaozhuang, and Jining. Recommended spots include Laojia Iron Pot Chicken and Dazhang Flatbread Village (one pot costs around 88–128 RMB for 2–3 people). When ordering, simply say “Yao yi guo Diguo Ji” (I want one pot of Iron Pot Chicken). You can also request spice levels—mild numbing and spicy or extra numbing and spicy.
8. Traveler’s Notes
In English, it’s known as “Iron Pot Chicken” or “Stewed Chicken with Flatbread.” This is an interactive dish—you’re encouraged to eat with your hands and dip bread into the broth. The flavor is bold and intense, perfect for adventurous food lovers seeking authentic Chinese cuisine.
Home-Style Try at Home
You can recreate this at home with a cast-iron pot: stew chicken pieces with potatoes and green peppers, then press small dough rounds onto the sides of the pot. Let them steam and crisp for about 15 minutes to experience the same “one pot wonder” at your own table.
When you visit Xuzhou, after exploring the stone carvings of Guishan Han Tombs, don’t miss the chance to step into a lively eatery and order a steaming pot of Iron Pot Chicken. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a culinary celebration of friendship and flavor. This dish reminds you that the joy of food comes from sharing. Be sure to add it to your China must-eat list, and on your next trip north, experience the thrill of dipping bread into the pot—letting this rustic taste of everyday life become one of your most unforgettable travel memories!
