Fuzhou gourmet delicacies
Edited by Vivian Zhang
Photos by Yao Fan



Fujian Province is called "Min" for short. As for cuisine, Min dishes are one of the famous eight styles in China. Fuzhou Cuisine, a main component of Min dishes, is popular not only in Fuzhou, but also in east, central and north Fujian Province. Fuzhou chefs are good at preparing delicacies from the land and sea, and the local cuisine is characterized by clear, refreshing, delicious and light tastes, slightly sweet and sour.

Fuzhou is also a good place to find decent vegetarian food. Most Buddhist temples (the most famous one being the Yongquan Temple) serve vegetarian food for visitors. Try not to be fooled by the dishes' animal meat appearance.

Buddha jumps over wall 佛跳墙



This is a well-known dish of Fuzhou. It is made of an assortment of ingredients: shark's fin, shark's lip, fish maw, abalone, squid, sea cucumber, chicken breast, duck chops, pork tripe, pork leg, minced ham, mutton elbow, dried scallop, winter bamboo shoots, Xiang Gu mushrooms, and so on. These are seasoned and steamed separately and then put into a small-mouthed clay jar together with cooking wine and a dozen or so boiled pigeon eggs. The jar is covered and put on an intense fire first and then simmered for some time on a slow heat. Four or five ounces of a local liquor are added into the jar which is kept simmering for another five minutes. Then the dish is ready.

The origin of the dish is explained by a local story. A Fuzhou scholar of the Qing Dynasty went picnicking with friends in the suburbs and he put all the ham, chicken, etc, he had with him in a wine jar which he heated over a charcoal fire before eating. The attractive smell of the food spread in the air all the way to a nearby temple. It was so inviting that the monks, who were supposed to be vegetarians, jumped over the temple wall and partook heartily of the scholar's picnic. One of the party's participants wrote a poem in praise of the dish, of which a line reads: "Even Buddha himself would jump the wall to come over." Hence the name of the dish.

Yanpi won ton 燕皮云吞



The Yanpi won ton is yet another local specialty of Fuzhou. With won ton sheets made by mixing sweet potato flour with pork meat, the authentic Yanpi won ton boasts a variety of stuffing, including fresh fish meat, dried shrimp and celery. The Yanpi won ton is considered to impart a craving for peace and prosperity and as a result is frequently served at local weddings or birthday banquets.


Fish ball soup

Oyster pizza 海蛎饼

If you have sampled Oyster pizza, you will most probably think Fuzhou people are quite creative, for how many people will come up the idea of using fresh oyster as the chief stuffing (together with some portions of lean pork meat and celery). The golden pizza is not only a favorite among local folks, but appeals strongly to foreigners as well.


Rice noodles with oyster seasoning 蚝油锅边糊

Sea clams in chicken soup 鸡汤雪蛤

This nutritious dish is a clear soup, with white and tender meat, and has a refreshing and delicious taste.


Thick beef soup 牛肉滑

Glossy ganoderma and jade cicadas 灵芝恋玉蝉

Beautifully shaped, this dish is meticulously prepared, with excellent colors, smell and taste.

Litchi-shaped pork meat 荔枝肉



In the shape of litchis, this dish is crisp, tender, sour, sweet and tasty.

Taiji smashed taro 太极芋泥



It is refined, smooth, refreshing, aromatic and sweet.

Aromatic sliced snails 香味蜗牛片

Light red in color, its sliced snails are tender and crisp.


Fried shell meat 炒田螺


Thousand-layer cake 千层糕

Soft and sweet, the thousand-layer cake is oily, but not greasy.


Rice noodles


Vocabulary
gourmet 美味的
tripe 肚子
meticulously 极注重细节地
taro 芋头
squid 鱿鱼
scallop 扇贝
abalone 鲍鱼
simmer 煨

Recommended Hotels and Restaurants

● Fuzhou Juchunyuan Restaurant
2 Dongjie, Fuzhou
Tel: 0591-87502328
福州聚春园大酒店
东街2号

● Fuzhou Great Hotel
1 Doudong Lu, Fuzhou
Tel: 0591-83333333
福州大饭店
斗东路1号

● Fuzhou Delicacy Restaurant
No. 101, 817 Beilu, Fuzhou
Tel: 0591-87558536
福州美食园餐厅
817北路101号

● Fuzhou Antailou Restaurant
39 Jipi Lu, Gulou Dist, Fuzhou
Tel: 0591-87550890
福州安泰楼酒家
鼓楼区吉庇路39号