A new sensation is taking the Chinese social media platforms by storm – a dish known as “soudiu,” which is touted as the world’s hardest dish. While China is famous for its unique cuisine, like chow mein, spring rolls, momos, and dim sums, this stir-fried stone dish has gained attention for its unconventional nature. Videos showcasing people trying out soudiu have been popping up all over Chinese social media sites in recent weeks, as reported by NNL.
The dish, suodiu, which means “suck and dispose” in Chinese, involves patrons sucking off the flavors from small rocks and spitting them out. These videos also reveal street vendors demonstrating the preparation of this unusual dish. In the clips, chili oil is sprayed onto pebbles placed on a grill, followed by adding garlic sauce, and finally, everything is stir-fried with diced peppers and garlic cloves.
The process begins by carefully selecting appropriate stones, preferably pebbles, that can even retain heat. In the past, river stones and volcanic rocks were favored for their excellent heat retention properties.
According to a report from NNL, a captivating video from the Xiaoshi Guangguang YouTube channel showcases a chef exclaiming, “A portion of spice brings the passion alive,” highlighting the dish’s immense popularity, which is said to rival the enjoyment of alcohol.
In the same video, a customer asks the chef whether the pebbles need to be returned after finishing the food. The chef responds, “Take them home as a souvenir.”
Suodiu is typically served in palm-sized boxes, with each package costing $2.30, as reported by NNL.
This isn’t the first news about this bizarre dish that has circulated on social media. In September of last year, a user posted a photo where the stones in suodiu appeared to resemble berries.
The dish is said to have originated in the Hubei region of eastern China and has a long history dating back hundreds of years. According to local media reports, it was passed down through generations of boatmen and conveyed through oral history.