Back upstairs, I found that a load of food ingredients had arrived and were spread out on various tables. One glance and I knew exactly what they were for.
The yellowish stuff is dried tofu skin. This is formed when making tofu and the bean and water mix is heated then left to cool. This skin forms on top like skin on boiled milk, and is scooped out and dried. The box front left holds the unprocessed skin, while top right is another box of the same stuff fried. The red bag contains the other ingredient from the river.
River Snails
We also have:
Dried rice noodles
Garlic, ginger and chilli. The holy trinity of local food.
Spices
There were also chickens , pork and green vegetables on other tables.
In a corner a large pot was bubbling away on a portable burner. It contained a bright red stock containing
Meaty Pork Bones
Chicken
River Snails
and the holy trinity, spices and pickled bamboo shoots.
This is the stock for Liuzhou's signature dish - Luosifen (Snail noodles) 螺蛳粉 luó sī fěn.
Dinner was almost ready.
