Nanchang has one of the most distinct food cultures in Jiangxi. The city is defined by its rice noodles — banged noodles (拌粉) tossed with chilli paste, sesame, and pickled vegetables appear at hundreds of small noodle shops from dawn. Beyond noodles, the local cuisine favors dried chilli peppers, preserved vegetables, and freshwater fish from nearby Poyang Lake. The night markets around Shengjin Tower and along the riverside offer cheap, excellent eating well after midnight.