Chinese dish of stir-fried rocks becomes bizarre internet hit (and some claim it is ‘delicious’)

Whilst many people’s go-to for an affordable Chinese meal might be a stir-fry, the newest take on the dish could leave your stomach churning. 

A new take on the Chinese dish of stir-fry – involving rocks – has gone viral across social media, with some claiming it is ‘delicious’. 

The bizarre twist on the popular meal appears to have made a comeback in China, as people go to extreme efforts to cut costs during the cost-of-living crisis.

Named Suodiu – meaning to suck and discard – the dish has origins in ancient China. 

However, the recipe for suodiu has re-emerged in recent videos on social media, with chefs preparing the stir-fried rocks at very high heats.

Named Suodiu – meaning to suck and discard – the dish has origins in ancient China

Some online chefs have praised it as a ‘delicious’ meal while other videos showed diners spitting out the stones, appalled at the state of the dish

They then proceeded to add spices and aromatics to the stones, including garlic and chilli.

Afterwards, the rocks were served with a mixture of vegetables once they had softened enough to safely eat. 

Despite the viral reach of the meal, reactions have been mixed.  

Some online chefs have praised it as a ‘delicious’ meal while other videos showed diners spitting out the stones, appalled at the state of the dish.

One clip posted on TikTok – which gained more than 1.5 million views – appeared to show a chef cooking the dish of rocks, before selling it for £1.74.

The video had mixed reviews, but most viewers could not comprehend the meal.

‘Hard to digest,’ a TikTok user stated.

‘They reuse the same pebbles,’ a second remarked.

‘I could never eat this, the impulsive need to bite the rock would shatter my teeth,’ another said.

A food blogger has claimed that the river stones used in the dish have a naturally fishy taste, which they believe is enhanced when fried at a high heat

Suodiu allegedly dates back centuries to the Hubei province in central China, where local fishermen would collect the rocks to eat when they ran out food

Meanwhile, a food blogger has claimed that the river stones used in the dish have a naturally fishy taste, which they believe is enhanced when fried at a high heat.

Suodiu allegedly dates back centuries to the Hubei province in central China, where local fishermen would collect the rocks to eat when they ran out food.

The viral stir-fry comes as ‘white people food’ trended on Chinese social media platforms, after users were bewildered by the typical Western packed lunch, with some even calling it the ‘lunch of suffering’.

The trend started on the social media platforms Weibo and Xiaohongshu, with users dumbfounded by quick and easy meals such as cold sandwiches and raw vegetables.