In Kunming and some other parts of Yunnan insects are a culinary delicacy, or standard fare. Many markets, restaurants and food stalls sell edible insects, such as bamboo worms, locusts, grasshoppers, honeybee pupa, crickets and wasp larvae.
Insects are rich in protein. The digestive systems of insects are more efficient than those of larger animals in converting vegetable matter into protein. When certain insects are prepared by frying or grilling in seasoned oil or with herbs and spices they become a delicious snack.
In Dali, silkworm chrysalises are sold by the bowl. They are a popular high-protein food.
What are known as bamboo worms are a kind of mollusk that is good to eat. Bamboo worms are a delicious, popular snack that can often be found in restaurants and food vendor stalls.
Locusts are another of the favorite insect dishes in Yunnan. Historically locusts were associated with plagues during which millions of them descended on rice fields and destroyed the crops. The torch festival in Shilin County was created as celebration of the success in overcoming the locust plagues.
When the limbs are plucked off the locusts and they are deep fried they serve as a protein-rich snack, similar to nuts. In places like Yuxi, Wenshan, Dali, Honghe and Xishuangbanna, where rice is farmed widely, locusts appear as a featured item at barbecue stalls and restaurants.
People of many different ethnic cultures in Yunnan have eaten insects from time immemorial. Now today, insects are seen as an alternative to large livestock as a way to feed large numbers of people more efficiently. For many years the United Nations has been advocating insects as part of a solution to world hunger, noting that they are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals.
With just a slight change in point of view, a huge source of high quality food becomes available in insects. It seems very likely that all of us will someday be eating insects.
Dai Ethnic Minority
There are many places in Yunnan to experience insects as a culinary delicacy. Kun Chong Wo Zi(昆虫窝) is a restaurant with Yunnan ethnic characteristics decoration, it’s famous for its insect cuisine. It’s Kun Chong Wo Zi · Special Yunnan Cuisine(昆虫窝子·特色云南菜）is located at No.99 East Dongfeng Road, Kunming City (昆明市东风东路99号).
Another place is Lao Dian Shan Zhai (老滇山寨), the Chun Cheng Road Store (春城路店) at No. 204 Chuncheng Road, Yongsheng Road Community, Taihe Street, Kunming City(昆明市太和街道永胜路社区春城路204号). Lao Dian Shan Zhai is a good place to sample authentic local cuisine. It offers ethnic food with a consciousness of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
