Laoshan Cola is China’s first carbonated beverage. In the 1950s, the state organized scientific researchers to develop it by adding over ten types of traditional Chinese herbal ingredients—such as black jujube, angelica, cardamom, galangal, and cloves—along with rich CO2 gas, to authentic Laoshan mineral water. Using a unique formula, it was meticulously crafted to particularly suit the taste preferences of Chinese consumers…
Laoshan Sea Cucumber is a specialty of Laoshan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province. The suitable water temperature and excellent water quality of the Laoshan sea area endow the Laoshan Sea Cucumber with thick body walls and large, numerous spines. Warm in nature and sweet in taste, Laoshan Sea Cucumber nourishes kidney yin, treats diarrhea and ulcers, and can enhance immunity with long-term consumption, making it a precious tonic. Zequn Sea Cucumber...
Laoshan Golden Hook Dried Shrimp is a specialty of Laoshan District, Qingdao City, Shandong Province. Made from fresh hawk's claw shrimp caught in the waters of Laoshan using traditional processing methods, Laoshan Golden Hook Dried Shrimp features a golden color and a hook-like shape—hence the name “Golden Hook Dried Shrimp.” It boasts a delicious taste and high nutritional value, making it a unique seafood product of Laoshan. Golden Hook Dried Shrimp is made…
【Laoshan Guanyanlian Apricot】 Also known as Dahong Apricot, it gets its name from its deep red color when ripe, resembling the face of the Chinese deity Guan Yu. This apricot is a local farm-grown variety in Laoshan, with over a hundred years of cultivation history. It is mainly grown in towns such as Xiazhuang, Xifu, Shazikou, and Beizhai, and is one of the main fruit trees in Laoshan County, as well as a representative apricot variety of Qingdao…
Beizhai has a history of cherry cultivation spanning over a hundred years, but before 1995, these delicate and somewhat upscale fruits were sold for less than two yuan per jin. Cherry picking was labor-intensive, and transporting them to urban areas for sale didn’t bring farmers much profit. According to Wang Dedong, a villager from Beizhai, the first Cherry Festival held in 1995,…
【Black Stone Flower】 The Laoshan Black Stone Flower is widely distributed, commonly found on high mountain cliffs at altitudes of 800–1000 meters around the Giant Peak. The *Supplement to the Materia Medica*, compiled by Tao Hongjing during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, records: “The Black Stone Flower has a sweet taste, is non-toxic, and is used to treat impotence, diabetes, fever, and irregular menstruation. It grows in the shady rocky areas on the northern side of Mount Laoshan (Fuqi), …”
The small-leaved Pyrrosia, also known as small Pyrrosia or commonly referred to as single-leaf herb, is a perennial herbaceous plant. It has a creeping rhizome covered with dark brown scales, long petioles, and a single thick, fleshy leaf blade that is dark green in color with a dense covering of light brown stellate hairs on the underside. The entire plant is used in traditional medicine. It is slightly cold in nature and bitter in taste, with effects such as clearing heat, promoting urination, and unblocking urinary flow. It is primarily used to treat...
Laoshan Cudgel, scientifically known as Lindera umbellata, belongs to the Lauraceae family and the Lindera genus. It is native to the areas along the Bashui River and around Li’anzi, with a limited distribution and relatively scarce numbers. This plant is a shrub that typically grows on sunny slopes with brown forest soil and good drainage. Its leaves are elliptical with pointed tips, and its flowers are umbrella-shaped, blooming in yellow in April with five petals and drupe fruits. The branches are uniquely twisted, and the bark…
Abalone in the Shell is one of the most representative dishes of Shandong cuisine. Made from premium abalone and cooked in its shell, this dish is best enjoyed with a knife and fork—both to easily remove the shell and to savor its delicate flavors. According to traditional Shandong cooking methods, the prepared abalone meat must be combined with scallion segments, ginger slices, and premium broth before being placed in a serving vessel and steamed in a basket. It requires over two hours of steaming until fully tenderized, after which the remaining steps can be completed. This process ensures a soft, tender texture and an exceptionally rich flavor.
The "Shanghai Honey Peach," introduced and planted in 1976, gradually developed into an outstanding local variety through years of cultivation and careful selection. It ripens in early to mid-August, with an average single fruit weight of 250–300 grams and a maximum of up to 800 grams. The sugar content can reach as high as 17.1%…
"Stir-fried Spring Shrimp with Chinese Cabbage" uses large sea-caught spring prawns, whose brains are sautéed in oil, then paired with the tender heart of Chinese cabbage and slowly braised to perfection. The dish features a striking contrast between the white of the cabbage and the red of the shrimp—vivid and eye-catching—a true masterpiece where the two ingredients complement each other beautifully.…
It is generally believed that the straw weaving craft found throughout China originated in Shandong Province, and the various styles of straw weaving in Shandong all trace back to Yexian County. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Yexian was part of the territory of the State of Lai, and during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was governed under Laizhou Prefecture. Therefore, Yexian straw weaving is also known as “Laizhou Straw Weaving.” This type of straw weaving uses wheat stalks and corn husks as raw materials and is crafted entirely by hand…
Qingdao Cold Jelly (also known as Seaweed Cold Jelly) is a unique jelly made in Qingdao from seaweed, stone flower algae, and deer horn algae. It is transparent and crystal-clear, and is typically served with mashed garlic, chopped coriander, sesame oil, vinegar, salt, and MSG. It is a refreshing dish that pairs well with drinks, especially during the hot summer months. It can be found at food stalls and eateries all over Qingdao in the summer. This distinctive cold jelly has been introduced to other cities and has become a popular seasonal treat.
“Liuting Fusheng Brand Pig's Trotters” originated in 1881 at Fusheng Restaurant. As a time-honored local specialty of the island city, it boasts a history of over 120 years. Upholding the unique skills passed down from ancestors and refined over generations by the Zhou family, the recipe has been preserved through five generations with a commitment to integrity, innovation, and development. The trotters are carefully selected from high-quality, disease-free pig front trotters with tendons, meeting strict standards for growth period and weight. The braising process draws on the essence of traditional techniques, using premium soy sauce, valuable spices, and aged broth, along with a unique defatting method. Fusheng Food Co., Ltd. has obtained ISO9001-2000 quality management system certification, ensuring sterile control throughout the production process with absolutely no chemical additives. Fusheng pig's trotters feature a glossy red exterior, rich juicy meat, tender and crispy texture, and bones that easily separate from the meat. They are known for their vibrant color, delicious taste, non-sticky feel, soft yet firm consistency, and fragrant yet not greasy profile—earning them the reputation among guests as “the best pig’s trotters under the heavens are only from Fusheng.” Rich in collagen, regular consumption helps soften blood vessel walls, lower blood lipids, enhance skin elasticity, and beautify the complexion. The product has won honors such as “Qingdao Specialty Snack,” “Qingdao Youth’s Favorite Domestic Consumer Product,” “Brand Most Loved by Middle-Aged and Elderly People,” “Recommended Product of the Vegetable Basket Project,” and “Healthy Food, Reassuring New Year Goods.” Fusheng Grand Hotel is always bustling with guests, attracting many international tourists as well. Fusheng’s braised pig’s trotters and related products have earned customer recognition and praise, becoming an excellent choice for health, beauty, and gift-giving.
Crispy marinated pork is made primarily with pork belly, along with auxiliary ingredients such as cornstarch, glutinous rice flour, wheat starch, chicken powder, monosodium glutamate, white fermented tofu, red fermented tofu, and white sugar. The cooking steps are as follows: first, cut the pork belly into thick slices 12 cm long and 5 cm wide, rinse under running water to remove blood, then pat dry with a towel. Mix the cornstarch, glutinous rice flour...
The most distinctive dish is undoubtedly stewed squid with meat. Ingredients: fresh squid, Chinese cabbage, and pork. The cooking process is similar to that of pork stewed with cabbage, but the only difference is that after stir-frying all the ingredients dry, instead of adding plain water, you add squid broth or shrimp broth—or even broth made from other seafood. So don’t just go for the vegetables—the real highlight is the broth...
“Tsingtao Beer” Scenic Can – Bring Home the Beauty Among Tsingtao Beer products, there is a very special series: the Tsingtao Beer Scenic Series. This product line mainly comes in 500ml cans, which is quite distinct from the regular pull-tab Tsingtao Beer cans, giving travelers a refreshing visual surprise. …
When you visit the beautiful coastal city of Qingdao in Shandong Province, as you stroll along the azure sea or wander through Qingdao’s bustling commercial districts, you’re sure to hear the name “Seaside Xiaojin.” It originates from Qingdao Seaside Food Co., Ltd., a company with nearly 90 years of commercial and cultural heritage. Blending traditional business philosophies with modern consumer values, the company offers high-quality, affordable, and trustworthy products that are cherished nationwide. As a “China Time-Honored Brand,” Qingdao Seaside Food Co., Ltd. represents a “golden brand” that fuses traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology and equipment. Its products—renowned for their authenticity, quality, safety, and health benefits—highlight local specialties such as dried seafood, especially Qingdao sea cucumbers. The “Seaside Xiaojin” brand products carry forward the refined processing techniques and recipes of the time-honored enterprise. They use raw materials sourced from natural, pollution-free waters, and are independently developed to meet current market demands. With certifications such as QS food quality and safety, and ISO9001:2000 international quality management system, the company strictly adheres to national and industry standards. Utilizing advanced production technologies and modern equipment, it produces a wide range of over 1,000 varieties across eight major series, with sea cucumbers and other dried seafood as its flagship products. The brand has been honored with numerous accolades, including: National Quality-Compliant Safe Food; Qingdao’s Top Ten Tourism Specialty Products; Qingdao Consumer Trusted and Satisfied Product; Most Valuable Sea Cucumber Brand; and Shandong’s Most Beloved Health-Nourishing Brand for Middle-Aged and Elderly People.
■ Nie Huizhe Mentioning the honey peaches from Zhongshan Park might just make many longtime Qingdao residents start salivating. And no wonder — as far back as half a century ago, these were the city’s famously premium fruits, once even sold in Beijing and Tianjin. Back then, Qingdao was much smaller, so even for ordinary citizens, getting their hands on such delicacies wasn’t too difficult. These days, however, it’s not just eating them that’s hard — seeing them is tough too. For those who moved to Qingdao in the last couple of decades, most have probably never even heard of them.
The seafood includes small delicacies like sea cucumber, shrimp, squid, and clams, all stir-fried with scallion tofu to create a variety of seafood mini tofu dishes. The flavor is delicious and aromatic without being greasy—just pair it with some scallion pancakes for the perfect meal. The restaurant is nestled among various old European-style buildings, and from every window you can enjoy views of the blue sea and sky, golden...