South Korean visitor praises Ningxia's spicy street food

A South Korean visitor to Northwest China has gone viral after praising lahuhu, a local street food from the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, saying the dish could be popular in South Korea.

Kim Jun-hyeok, a former international student at Ningxia University, made the comments during a recent visit to regional capital Yinchuan, where he sampled the dish at a roadside stall. A video of his reaction, shared on social media, shows him drawn to the food by its bright red broth and strong aroma.

Expecting the dish to be overwhelmingly spicy, Kim said he was surprised by its balance of flavors. "It looks very spicy, but it's not as strong as I imagined," he said. "The chilli is fragrant, and the taste is really comforting."

Lahuhu is a Ningxia-style street food that dates back to the 1980s. Originally known as mala chuan, or spicy skewers, it features a thick, paste-like chilli broth made from finely ground chilli peppers, sesame seeds, and flour. Ingredients such as wheat gluten noodles and sliced potatoes are cooked directly in the sauce.

A defining characteristic of the dish is its distinct jiao, a Chinese culinary term describing the lightly toasted, slightly smoky aroma produced when chilli powder is fried in oil. This flavor gives lahuhu its characteristic warmth and depth.

Midway through the meal, Kim appeared increasingly enthusiastic, remarking that he could not understand why the dish was unavailable in South Korea and suggesting it would find an audience there.

Beyond lahuhu, Kim said he has developed a taste for Ningxia's noodle dishes and plans to continue exploring local food, sharing his experiences with followers online.