A Feast for the Mouth! The Famous Fujian Banquet·Yidu Loquat Feast Returns for a Limited Time
Stewed Whole Muscovy Duck with Female Crab and Loquat Flowers in the Loquat Feast
“Will the Loquat Feast be available? When can we have it?” In recent days, the hotline of Fuzhou Evening News has been ringing nonstop with eager inquiries from readers. In response to this enthusiastic demand, Fuzhou Daily and Yidu Town of Fuqing City have jointly decided to bring back the Famous Fujian Banquet·Yidu Loquat Feast for a limited time from now until May 30 at Yidu Zhuangyuan Restaurant in Fuqing, and at Yue Gang Qin Wan·Fuyan in Fuzhou, allowing more people to savor this sweet culinary rendezvous in the prime of spring flowers.
Since its debut on April 13 in Yidu Town, Fuqing City, the Famous Fujian Banquet·Yidu Loquat Feast has sparked immense excitement among food lovers with its delightful pairing of sweet loquats and the distinctive mountain-and-sea flavors of Fuqing. The feast has drawn not only domestic travelers who flew in specially to taste it, but also visitors from as far as Africa, who gave it rave reviews and enthusiastic thumbs-up.
The Famous Fujian Banquet·Yidu Loquat Feast features fresh, juicy loquats as the centerpiece. In the skilled hands of a renowned rural chef team, every part of the loquat, including its flesh, blossoms, leaves, and even roots, is skillfully incorporated into dishes that pair with Fuqing’s specialties such as mountain goat, fleshy eel, crab full of roe, and tender white shrimp, creating a series of colorful, aromatic, and flavorful delicacies.
Crispy Whole Fish Coated with Mountain City Loquat Sauce
From the fragrant loquat blossoms to the succulent fruit and even the root skillfully infused in broths, each dish showcases a unique flavor. From orchard to table, the Famous Fujian Banquet·Yidu Loquat Feast presents the unique charm of Fujian cuisine culture.
This year’s Famous Fujian Banquet·Yidu Loquat Feast is especially dazzling, with the highlight being the traditional stew of premium mountain goat with loquat root. Slow-cooked for hours, the Fuqing mountain goat and loquat root produce a clear broth rich in herbal aroma and depth of flavor. In the stewed whole Muscovy duck with female crab and loquat flowers, the crab full of roe evokes the freshness and sweetness of the sea, the Muscovy duck brings the earthiness of the mountains, and the loquat blossoms add a delicate loquat floral note. The resulting soup is flavorful but not greasy, with a lingering aftertaste that keeps diners coming back for more.
It’s learned that, to cater to different preferences, Yidu Zhuangyuan Restaurant is offering two set menus priced at RMB 980 and RMB 1,680, respectively, each featuring a variety of classic dishes. The RMB 980 set includes: braised Muscovy duck with loquat blossoms, nostalgic loquat-grilled eel wrapped rice, Jiangyin-style braised tofu, natural three-eyed crab with clear noodles, white shrimps with loquat and ginger, crispy whole fish coated with mountain city loquat sauce, loquat egg tarts with golden fruit aroma, country chicken with loquat aroma, crystal-clear loquat and water chestnut cake, and a feast of loquats across the landscapes and seasons.
The RMB 1,680 set includes top-grade red jellyfish head, loquat salad with seasonal fish and vegetables, traditional stew of premium mountain goat with loquat root, braised Muscovy duck with loquat blossoms, nostalgic loquat-grilled eel wrapped rice, Jiangyin-style braised tofu, natural three-eyed crab with clear noodles, childhood clams, white shrimps with loquat and ginger, crispy whole fish coated with mountain city loquat sauce, loquat egg tarts with golden fruit aroma, country chicken with loquat aroma, first snow swallow nest from Malaysia in golden nest, crystal-clear loquat and water chestnut cake, and a feast of loquats across the landscapes and seasons. The dishes are more diverse.
Nostalgic Loquat-grilled Eel Wrapped Rice
It is worth noting that the appeal of the Loquat Feast goes beyond taste. It also embodies the deeper significance of rural revitalization and consumption upgrading. Yidu Town, one of the top three loquat-producing regions in Fujian, has 50,000 mu of loquat orchards, with an annual output exceeding 30,000 tons. Renowned for their large size, vibrant color, thick flesh, and juiciness, Yidu loquats have been awarded the National Geographical Indication Trademark and recognized among the Top Ten Regional Agricultural Brands in Fujian.
This year, Fuzhou Daily and Yidu Town have launched a co-branded initiative for shared prosperity, attracting well-known brands such as Yue Gang Qin Wan and Mr. Cake to join in. By integrating loquat production and sales, the initiative brings fresh loquats from the orchard directly to the table, increasing fruit farmers’ incomes while allowing consumers to enjoy the fresh loquat.
It’s learned that in addition to Yidu Zhuangyuan Restaurant in Fuqing, Yue Gang Qin Wan·Fuyan in Fuzhou is also fully prepared. Their culinary team is developing new loquat-themed dishes and plans to host the Famous Fujian Banquet·Yidu Loquat Feast in Fuzhou from May 1 to 30.
With spring in prime and the air filled with the fragrance of loquats, now is the perfect time to bring your family and friends to Yidu Town and let the sweet aroma of loquats brighten your springtime. The organizers kindly remind everyone that the Loquat Feast will run through May 30, with limited availability. We recommend making a reservation in advance via the hotline or official channels. (Fuzhou Evening News Reporters: Wang Guanghui/Text, Shi Meixiang/Photo)