Food in tourist resorts is always expensive. Cheaper food can be found down the hills, in the village night food markets that are scatted everywhere. Tujia ethnic food, such as pickled fish, pot-braised dog meat and ga-ga chicken, as well as local dim sums and hot pot are a must try. Zhangjiajie is also the home of delicious maize cob and wild Chinese gooseberry. Genuine Hunan cuisine can be found either in the big hotels such as the Zhangjiajie Hotel, or at the numerous eating houses in the village.

Zhangjiajie abounds with wild food eateries, that serve locally caught produce including wild chicken, pheasant, snake, white-haired rat and bullfrog. You´ll have to decide for yourself whether you are comfortable eating while the animals stare at you from their cages.