The "Longan Pearl of Dongbi" is a renowned dish meticulously crafted using local specialties. In Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, there is a famous ancient temple called the "Kaiyuan Temple," which is a national cultural heritage site. The temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty and is said to have a history of over a thousand years. Beside the eastern stone pagoda within the temple grounds lies a smaller temple known as the ancient Dongbi Temple. Several longan trees planted by the monks of this temple still bear rare varieties of fruit. The fresh fruits from these trees are called the "Longan Pearl of Dongbi." Their shells feature mottled patterns, the flesh is thick, crisp, sweet, and fragrant, earning fame both domestically and abroad. At that time, Zhang Chunhuo, a famed chef from Quanzhou, used the "Longan Pearl of Dongbi" as the main ingredient to create an exquisite dish. Its shape resembles a pearl, hence the name "Longan Pearl of Dongbi." With its refreshing longan flavor, tender and aromatic meat, crispy skin, rich filling, and delicious taste, it has become a celebrated signature dish of the region.
Quanzhou Snacks…
Dragon Silk Red Yeast…
If you visit Tuling Town in Quangang District, Quanzhou City, the locals will warmly serve you a dish of marinated pig’s trotters (pictured above) — vibrant in color, richly aromatic with soy sauce, tender yet not greasy — leaving a lasting aftertaste. Thanks to its unique traditional handmade production technique, this year, Tuling marinated pig’s trotters were included in the fifth batch of Quanzhou’s Intangible Cultural Heritage represe…
Walking the streets of Quanzhou in the morning, you’ll find rice noodle soup stalls everywhere, with people enjoying steaming bowls of mianxianhu. This classic snack from Quanzhou and the broader Minnan region features a clear, sweet broth, fine and distinct rice noodles that hold their shape without clumping. When paired with high-quality toppings, it’s truly the icing on the cake. It’s often served with…
Sweet but not greasy, soft but not sticky to the teeth ( Shishi)…
Large, delicious, and nutritious ( Shishi)…
The name "Full Pancake Cake" comes from the way it is made using a griddle pan. The batter spreads and rises to fill the entire pan as it cooks. During cooking, a layer of sesame and fine sugar is sprinkled on the lid. After flipping the cake with a flat spatula on both sides, it is removed and cut into small pieces. The resulting golden-yellow cake has a line of sesame syrup in the middle, and the top and bottom layers feature honeycomb-like air pockets...
In the past, when people from Kinmen traveled to Southeast Asia, they brought back various Cantonese snacks, and Cantonese congee was one of them. The most distinctive feature of Kinmen’s Cantonese congee is that you can’t see any rice grains. Thanks to long hours of cooking, the flavor is very authentic. The congee is packed with rich ingredients such as pork liver, sliced meat, meatballs, fish balls, and eggs, and when served with youtiao (fried dough sticks), it becomes…
An introduction to Kinmen’s specialty products highlights its three treasures: 'Kaoliang liquor, candied floss, and kitchen knives.' Among them, Kinmen kitchen knives are made from the steel of artillery shell casings that fell during cross-strait artillery battles. It is said that they are very lightweight and durable. The price of Kinmen kitchen knives made from artillery shell casings generally converts to about...
An introduction to Kinmen ceramics: Thanks to the region’s abundant and high-quality ceramic raw materials, the porcelain produced here is used not only for wine containers but also includes antique-style art vases and architectural ceramics. In addition, the local community crafts clay Fengshiye (wind-lion god) artworks, which are rich in local character. The Kinmen Ceramics Factory is Taiwan’s only official imperial kiln.…
Aroma of Liquor for Half a Century – Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor in the Ancient City of Kinmen Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor has long been known for its clarity, purity, and rich fragrance. As a type of distilled spirit and a variety of Chinese liquor, it has stood out for decades, holding a unique place among “Chinese liquors” and gaining worldwide fame. Thanks to its ingredients, formula, water quality, and…
Candied peanuts are another famous specialty of Kinmen, made from peanuts and sugar. They are crispy and delicious, making them a highly popular refined snack. (Kinmen County)…
The art of stone carving in Hui'an, Fujian Province has a long and storied history. By the late Tang Dynasty, artisans were already producing highly skilled artworks featuring figures, landscapes, flowers, birds, and animals. Masterpieces by Hui'an stonemasons can be found in renowned structures both in China and abroad, such as the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, Beijing’s Ten Great Buildings, and the memorial site of Japanese monk Jianzhen. Dragon carving is a specialty of Hui'an stone carving—currently, in Quanzhou alone…
Yongning Pacific Oysters The "Yongning Pacific Oysters" from Yongning Town, Shishi City, have been awarded a geographical indication certification trademark by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. This is another geographical indication certification trademark for the city, following the "Gufu Seaweed." Oysters (Ostrea gigas thunberg) and…
Shishi Sweet Rice Cake is a specialty of Shishi City, Quanzhou, Fujian Province. Also known as glutinous rice New Year cake, it is shaped like a full moon, has a pure white color, soft and tender texture, fragrant aroma, and a sweet and delicious taste. “Shishi Sweet Rice Cake” is one of the specialties of Shishi. It is made using the locally unique “large winter glutinous rice,” along with auxiliary ingredients such as white sugar, candied winter melon strips, and kumquats...
Peanut Roll Crisps are made by simmering roasted peanuts with sugar and maltose in a pot until well blended. The mixture is then placed on a wooden cutting board and pounded and pressed with a wooden stick until it becomes as thin as a sheet. Roasted peanut powder is spread on top, and the sheet is rolled into a long log before being sliced into diagonal pieces about two inches long. These crisps are extremely fragrant and crunchy, melt in your mouth, and boast excellent color and aroma. They also make a delightful dessert for banquets. Peanut Roll Crisps are…
When talking about the specialties of Shishi, sweet rice cake naturally comes to mind. And when it comes to Shishi’s sweet rice cake, many people invariably think of “Yixing,” a century-old brand renowned for its sweet rice cake. The 1984 edition of China Food Industry Yearbook describes Yixing Sweet Rice Cake Factory in Tangtou, Shishi, as follows: Wang Yixing’s sweet rice cake had already gained great fame as early as...
Anhai Bundled Trotter, a specialty of Fujian, is a famous snack from the Shishi area. This meat-filled trotter uses the front leg of a pig with the hoof still attached. The bone is removed, then the leg is stuffed with premium pork and seasoned with sugar, sorghum liquor, salt, spices, and other ingredients. It is then wrapped in gauze and steamed over low heat until cooked. When served, it is sliced thinly, revealing the stuffing shaped into various decorative patterns…
It is understood that the seaweed cultivation in Gu Fu Village, Xiangzhi Town, Shishi City, has a history of over 50 years. The village is located at the mouth of Quanzhou Bay, boasting excellent harbors and vast shallow tidal flats, which provide ideal conditions for growing seaweed, resulting in high-quality produce. For a long time, “Gu Fu Seaweed” has been favored for its smooth and delicate texture, unique flavor, and rich...