5. Stewed Mati Soft-shelled Turtle in Clear Soup

Also known as Ham and Turtle soup, this dish is one of the oldest traditional dishes in Anhui province. It uses soft-shelled turtles from the mountainous areas near Huangshan. The dish's main ingredients consist of an entire soft shelled turtle, ham, bamboo shoots, garlic, ginger, black pepper and salt. The ingredients are all stewed together over a charcoal fire. Famous poets and scholars in ancient times took special trips to Huizhou to taste this delicious dish. Now this traditional course is well known throughout the country.