Zha Cai (榨菜 — Sichuan Preserved Vegetable)
Fuling district, Chongqing — 19th century origin, now industrial scale
Sichuan's iconic preserved mustard stem tuber (kohlrabi-like vegetable), salted, pressed, and fermented with chilli and Sichuan pepper. The Fuling Zha Cai from Chongqing's Fuling district is the prestige version. Used as a condiment, added to soups, rice porridge, noodles, and stir-fries. Small red packets of Fuling Zha Cai are ubiquitous on Chinese transport and in pantries.