Guanxian Cucumber is a specialty of Xiadian Township, Guanxian County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. Guanxian is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Cucumbers." The "Guan" brand cucumber has been awarded national-level "Green Food" certification. Guanxian boasts fertile land, a favorable climate, and excellent production conditions, making it well-suited for high-quality and efficient agriculture. It has developed four major pillar industries: forestry and fruit, animal husbandry, vegetables, and oil crops...
Guanxian Five-Spice Dried Tofu Strips are a specialty of Sang’a Town in Guanxian County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. Known for their high protein content, low cholesterol, rich nutrition, delicious taste, and hygienic preparation, these “Five-Spice Tofu Strips” have become widely loved by the public and gradually evolved into a top choice for gifts among city dwellers. Sang’a Town boasts abundant soybean resources and is a major soybean-producing area in western Shandong. “…
Guan County cherries are a specialty of Guan County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. The county has developed 20,000 mu (approximately 1,333 hectares) of large cherries, with an annual output of 6 million kilograms, making it one of the top three cherry-producing regions in China. Guan County cherries have been awarded a National Geographical Indication Certification trademark. Large cherries are among the earliest tree fruits to ripen and come to market in northern China, often hailed as “treasures among fruits” and “the first branch of spring…”
Guan County chili peppers are a specialty of Guan County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. These chili peppers are tender and rich in calcium, carotene, vitamins, and other nutrients. Regular consumption can help warm the stomach, dispel cold, aid in weight loss and beauty, and they can also be used to extract plant pigments, showing great potential for market development. Guan County chili peppers have been awarded a National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark. Guan County is located…
Guanxian Lingzhi is a specialty of Guanxian County in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. It has been awarded a National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark. Located on the western plain of Shandong, Guanxian enjoys distinct seasonal climates, making it suitable for the artificial cultivation of lingzhi. The promotion of lingzhi cultivation in the county began in 1991, and by 2005, the number of lingzhi greenhouses had grown from just a few dozen to over 3,000. …
Arhat Cakes — a traditional delicacy from Gaotang. Classified as a type of pastry, they resemble mooncakes but are unfilled. Their layered structure is reminiscent of stacked arhats (Buddhist monks), hence the name. During the Qing Dynasty, they were served as tribute cakes. Known for being soft, flaky, and having clearly defined layers, they offer a crispy, sweet taste that is rich yet not greasy. The ingredients are carefully selected and the production process is complex and refined, showcasing strong traditional characteristics. The making...
Konie Pottery: Produced in Guanxian. The products are made from the area’s unique, high-quality clay and fired through a patented technique and exclusive craftsmanship involving repeated carving, cutting, polishing, grinding, outlining, painting, coating, and layering to create fine pieces. Guanzhou Konie Pottery Factory has developed a series of products including black pottery, lacquered pottery, and carved pottery, totaling hundreds of varieties. It is highly popular for its...
The preparation of Phoenix-Tail Goldfish is very simple. By following the recipe step by step, you are sure to enjoy a delicious dish. Phoenix-Tail Goldfish is one of the distinctive dishes in the Shandong cuisine of Chinese culinary tradition, and it primarily uses ham as its main ingredient. Main ingredient: 600g large yellow croaker. Side ingredients: 50g fresh shiitake mushrooms…
Oil-Poached Chicken is one of the distinctive dishes in the Shandong cuisine of Chinese culinary tradition, with sesame as its main ingredient. Main ingredient: chicken (750g); auxiliary ingredient: cilantro (20g). Seasonings: green onion (3g), ginger (5g), soy sauce (50g), cooking wine (25g), monosodium glutamate (2g), salt...
Sweet and Sour Fish Strips belong to the Shandong Lu cuisine family. They are typically prepared by braising and are characterized by their golden color, crispy exterior, tender interior, and a well-balanced sweet and sour flavor. Ingredients: 450g of boneless fish fillet, 25g egg yolk, 30g starch, 200g peanut oil, 10g scallions, 10g ginger, 10g light soy sauce, 100g clear broth, 65g sugar…
Braised Chicken in Pot is a distinctive Shandong cuisine dish. Rich in high-quality protein, fat, vitamin B1, niacin, and various minerals, it offers benefits such as nourishing kidneys, strengthening the stomach, fortifying tendons, enriching yin, and replenishing blood. It features a tender, soft, fragrant, and juicy texture with excellent color and flavor. When served with shredded scallions, radish strips, and sweet bean paste...
Stir-fried Sliced Pork is a Shandong dish named after its cooking method. The dish has a bright red sauce, tender pork slices, fragrant ingredients, and a delicious, fresh, soft texture with a well-balanced sour and salty flavor. Ingredients Preparation Main ingredient: 200g pork (70% lean, 30% fat). Stir-fried Sliced Pork Ingredients: 100g total of bamboo shoots, soaked wood ear mushrooms, and cucumber, plus a small amount of chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic. …
Clay sculptures come in many types, are easy to source materials for, and can range from large to small. The clay sculpture works of Xiguo in Heyidian, Shenxian County, are beloved for their unique artistic style. Heyidian Town is located 10 kilometers north of Shenxian County and sits at the junction of Shenxian County, Guan County, and Dongchangfu District. The clay sculpture tradition of Xiguo in Heyidian has a long history, spanning nearly a hundred years. In the 1920s, Henan folk artist Meng San fled to Xiguo Village during a famine and made a living by crafting clay sculptures. Later, the entire village learned the craft, which has been passed down through generations. Xiguo clay sculptures are made from red clay through processes such as watering, molding, base coating, and painting. Their designs are simple yet bold, with exaggerated features that do not aim for lifelike realism but instead focus on expressive gestures, resulting in lively charm and endless decorative appeal. The main subjects include molded clay dolls and reed-whistle roosters. The character designs of Xiguo clay sculptures are influenced by the portrayal methods of theatrical figures since the Ming and Qing dynasties, bearing distinct characteristics of the era. The clay dolls mainly depict characters from folklore and drama: the Laughing Buddha, Guanyin Delivering a Child, Su San Being Escorted, Chang’e Flying to the Moon, Wu Song Fighting the Tiger, Lying on Ice to Catch a Carp, Magistrate Liu Judging a Case, and Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. They portray festive and lively themes, symbolizing peace and good fortune, expressing the working people’s understanding of life and their aspirations for a better future, fully reflecting the traditional folk customs of western Shandong. Xiguo’s clay sculpture crafts have been exhibited at the Shandong Provincial Folk Clay Sculpture Art Exhibition. The April 1992 issue of People’s Pictorial featured a full-page spread of photos of Xiguo clay sculptures.
Yi Yin was a high-ranking minister in the early Shang Dynasty. Before taking office, he once farmed in the area around Xinting in our county. As recorded in Mencius: “Yi Yin farmed the fields of Youxin and delighted in the ways of Yao and Shun.” Yi Yin served as a minister for five Shang kings — Tang, Wai Bing, Zhong Ren, Tai Jia (Tang’s grandson), and Wo Ding — governing the state and its people for over 60 years. He was an adept ruler, wielded great influence, and laid the foundation for the Shang Dynasty’s 600-year reign. Yi Yin is China’s first recorded prime minister and imperial tutor, referred to by Mencius as “the sage who embraced duty.” He is also revered in Chinese culinary history as the “founder of cooking” and the “culinary sage.”
Kangyuan Meat Pie originates from Kangyuan in Meizhuang Town. Its founder, Fang Dengshan (born during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty), was a well-known local chef. The Fang family’s descendants have inherited the ancestral craft while also innovating, refining the technique through generations, now up to the sixth generation. The Kangyuan Meat Pie is made with carefully selected ingredients, boasts a golden color, and features a crispy exterior with a tender interior, leaving a lingering aftertaste. It is sold in cities such as Jinan, Liaocheng, Shenxian, Dong’e, and Xin…
Chaocheng Dumplings have long enjoyed a great reputation, with many out-of-town visitors to Shen County making a special trip to Chaocheng just to taste this famous delicacy. Their characteristics: thin wrappers, fresh and flavorful meat, soft and fragrant taste, and a lingering aftertaste. Among different ethnic groups, the Hui people’s top choice is Zhang San Dumplings, while the Han people favor Guo Family Dumplings and Ping Family Dumplings from Dongguan in Chaocheng.
The founder of the “Fan Huaimeng Roast Pigeon” brand, Fan Huaimeng, hails from Yandian Town, Shen County, Shandong Province. As a young boy, he lived by begging and wandering. When he grew older, he traveled to major cities such as Beijing, Jinan, and Handan, working in time-honored restaurants like Jufengde and Yanxitang, which sparked his deep interest in the culinary profession. He took the opportunity to observe chefs while doing odd jobs in the kitchens...
The Ancient City Mandarin Duck Pie is a specialty of Gucheng Town, Shenxian County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. The pie is made with premium pork and high-quality wheat flour to create an eight-layered meat turnover, which is then stacked in pairs (hence the name "Mandarin Duck") and steamed. It features a thin, chewy crust, fragrant yet not greasy, deliciously savory, and has a long-lasting aftertaste. The Mandarin Duck Pie has a long history and is a renowned local delicacy. Chen...
Chaping Family Dumplings are a specialty of Zhaicheng Town, Shen County, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province. These dumplings are made with 6–8 months tender lamb, premium scallions, Jianglou sesame oil, and a secret family tonic seasoning blend. They feature finely milled dough, thin wrappers, and are handmade. The dumplings are generously filled with thin skins, bursting with savory flavor, not greasy or gamey, and leave a delightful aftertaste. The Zhaicheng Chaping...
“Yan Dian Roast Pigeon” is a famous local delicacy from western Shandong, originating in Yan Dian Town, Shen County, western Shandong. It is made using a unique traditional production technique. Plump, tender, high-quality local pigeons—raised without additives or pollution—are carefully roasted, sterilized at high temperatures, and finely prepared. The main ingredients and preparation method of Yan Dian Roast Pigeon: premium squab is used, combined with traditional methods…