中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

Taiwan food attracted many locals and tourists eager to try it. (Photo by Reporter Chi Yuan)

With flowers blooming on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in the spring, a group of young Taiwanese arrived at Daming Food Street across the strait, bringing authentic recipes and showing the island’s cultural charm. From March 28 to April 6, the Gulou District hosted the “Taiwan Food Time Daming Trendy Food Festival,” drawing crowds of residents and tourists excited to indulge in traditional flavors, meet passionate dreamers, and celebrate the strong ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Authentic Flavors at Taiwan Food Time

Oyster omelets, peanut ice cream rolls, stone-grilled barbecue, and stinky tofu with Taiwanese pickled cabbage... Since last weekend, Daming Food Street in Guxi Sub-district has kicked off a food pop-up, featuring 16 new Taiwanese food vendors offering nearly 20 authentic Taiwanese dishes.

“Could I have two more, please? I want to take them home for my family to try!” The “Taiwan Uncle Wheel Cake” stall has plenty of repeat customers. Each wheel cake is perfectly golden, and when you bite into its soft, crispy outer layer, the sweet filling bursts into your mouth.

“I’m 55 years old, and the Taiwanese wheel cake is an even older dish than I am,” said Cai Yijia, the owner from Taipei, warmly greeting customers as he worked nonstop. He insists on making everything by hand, from the crispy outer crust to the sweet filling, staying true to the authentic taste while promoting a healthy eating philosophy.

Every traditional snack that becomes a classic has its own unique flavor and preparation method, and it carries with it the memories and emotions of countless people. Over the age of 70, Wu Dongxiang made the journey from Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market to Fuzhou, bringing with him a treasured family tradition passed down through generations - making oyster omelets.

Plump, juicy oysters sizzle on the hot griddle, mingling with fresh greens, bean sprouts, and a rich egg batter. Once cooked to golden perfection, the omelet is finished with a drizzle of special house-made sauce. “I started helping my father at the stall when I was in primary school. I’ve been making this crispy oyster omelet for over 60 years,” said Wu Dongxiang. Today, not only has he trained many apprentices, but he has also brought this traditional taste of Taiwan to various parts of the mainland.

The scent of sizzling food fills the air as crowds gather and Daming Food Street comes alive with hungry visitors eager to begin their culinary hunt. “We sat by the roadside, enjoying our food while watching the steady flow of people along the street. It’s brimming with the atmosphere of everyday life,” said Mr. Yang, a local resident out on a Saturday evening food walk with friends. He shared that each thoughtfully crafted Taiwanese dish not only warmed them against the lingering spring chill but also offered a flavorful reminder of the cultural bond shared across the Strait.

Dream Chasers in the Hustle and Bustle of Everyday Life

Each stall at this food pop-up event tells the inspiring story of Taiwanese people chasing their dreams on the Chinese mainland and making their mark through entrepreneurship.

At the “Taiwan Stone-Grilled Barbecue” stall, young Taiwanese entrepreneur Mao Guanyu worked tirelessly, the savory aroma of sizzling meat filling the air as he skillfully flipped the food. The three large stone slabs used for grilling were specially shipped from Taiwan by sea. “The high heat of the stones helps to seal in the meat’s juices perfectly,” he explained.

Mao Guanyu’s connection with Daming Food Street began last year. While passing by the “Taiwan Kitchen” food truck, he met its owner Liu Yuxiang who is dedicated to sharing authentic Taiwanese flavors with the mainland. She chatted with Mao Guanyu about their hometown’s classic dishes and encouraged him to introduce stone-grilled barbecue to the food street.

“Stone-grilled barbecue is a part of our daily life. It’s meaningful to share the true essence of our life with everyone and to deepen the understanding between both sides of the Strait,” said Mao Guanyu. With this belief, he set up his first stall at this food festival and has now decided to stay and develop his business on the mainland.

Next to his stall is “Taiwan Kitchen.” It offers a delightful variety of Taiwanese dishes, from juicy braised pork rice and savory salt-and-pepper chicken to silky tofu pudding. Liu Yuxiang, originally from Taiwan and now a Fuzhou daughter-in-law, has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry on the mainland alongside her husband. Throughout the years, she has also formed strong bonds with many peers in the culinary world. “When I heard about the Taiwan Food Festival, I immediately agreed to help invite fellow Taiwanese food vendors,” she said, expressing her hope that the event would encourage more Taiwanese businesses to settle permanently at the food street.

“I’m not afraid of competition; it’s through it that we grow,” Liu Yuxiang said. She is eager to exchange ideas and learn from businesses on both sides of the Strait, constantly refining her culinary skills, all in an effort to make Daming Food Street even more bustling and popular.

The Cross-Strait Bond Featuring the Fusion of Fuzhou Flavors

A single street brings together the shared flavors of Fuzhou and the bond between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Strolling through Daming Food Street, one can easily find traces of “Fujian-Taiwan integration” and a “deep connection of hearts.”

Born in the 2000s, Chen Hongyu grew up surrounded by the fusion of cross-strait food cultures. At this food festival, she set up a stall to introduce authentic Taiwanese hand-shaken milk tea to young people on the mainland. She believes, “Milk tea is more than just a drink; it’s a social language for youth on both sides of the Strait.”

The fusion with music elevated the joy to a whole new level. The “Daming Trendy Food Festival” also featured a Fujian-Taiwan band, delivering an immersive audio-visual experience. Mao Guanyu, with his live performance experience, also took the stage, warmly inviting visitors to request songs. Through the musical interaction, a bridge of connection was built between the hearts of people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The cultural and creative market along the way showcased a vibrant mix of items, from lacquer art and floral arrangements to cultural and artistic ceramics and delightful plants, adding an extra burst of color to this cross-strait spring celebration. “It’s the perfect place to visit with friends where you can enjoy delicious food, explore the market, and discover what you like. The joy and rewards are doubled,” said Ms. Chen, a visitor from Zhejiang.

“Fujian and Taiwan are separated by the sea, yet their food cultures share the same roots,” said a relevant responsible person from Daming Food Street. It is hoped that food could serve as a bridge for cross-strait exchanges and that both sides would work together to inherit, innovate, and develop traditional Chinese culinary culture, while continuing to revitalize the cultural tourism market. 2025 marks the year of quality enhancement for Daming Food Street. The next step will be to introduce more diverse activities and experiences, attract more high-quality vendors, and continue to establish a new landmark for food, cultural, and creative products centered around the theme of the Maritime Silk Road. (Fuzhou Daily Reporter: Mo Siyu; Correspondent: Peng Hui)