中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

The “Rejuvenation Secret” of Juchunyuan: Innovating While Upholding Tradition

—An Exclusive Interview with Xu Yinghong, General Manager of Yangzhou Fuchun Catering Service Group

Xu Yinghong.

This year marks the 160th anniversary of Juchunyuan. In mid-June, Xu Yinghong, General Manager of Yangzhou Fuchun Catering Service Group, led the Fuchun Teahouse team to Antailou, an affiliate of Juchunyuan Group in Fuzhou. The three iconic “Chinese Time-Honored Brands” came together across a thousand miles, offering Fuzhou residents a culinary feast that seamlessly blended the flavors of both Fuzhou and Yangzhou.

After the event, the reporter conducted an exclusive interview with Xu Yinghong, who shared his thoughts on the “rejuvenation secret” of Juchunyuan. As the head of Yangzhou Fuchun Catering Service Group and Executive Chairman of the Yangzhou Cuisine and Catering Industry Association, Xu Yinghong has a sharp insight and professional expertise in the catering industry. When talking about Juchunyuan, he expressed his admiration without hesitation: “Juchunyuan is not only the ‘driving force’ behind the development of Fujian cuisine, but also a benchmark for innovation while preserving the traditions of China’s time-honored brands.” This statement not only highlights Juchunyuan’s strength but also conveys a sense of mutual respect among industry peers. Although Fuzhou and Yangzhou are a thousand miles apart, these two historic cities share many similarities in culture and cuisine. Both are deeply rooted in heritage, with rich traditions and a spirit of innovation and exploration.

In Xu Yinghong’s view, Juchunyuan has long moved beyond the confines of traditional dining, evolving into a modern industrial group that spans a variety of sectors. These include hospitality, catering, food processing, wellness and hot springs, supply chain platforms, and digital new retail—covering “food, accommodation, wellness, and shopping.”

When analyzing Juchunyuan’s strong growth, Xu Yinghong shared a unique professional insight: “Time-honored brands can’t be confined to the ‘time-honored’ label. Juchunyuan has expanded its product mix and refined its competitive products to meet the diverse needs of consumers.” He emphasized that in today’s fiercely competitive market, consumer preferences and demands are constantly evolving. By diversifying its business model, Juchunyuan has reinvigorated the market appeal of its traditional brand, enabling it to stand out in the market competition.

“The cultural heritage of Juchunyuan is not just reflected in its masterful culinary techniques, but also in its ability to evolve with the times,” Xu Yinghong shared his observations. Over the past century, iconic dishes like Fotiaoqiang and Instant-boiled Sea Clam in Chicken Broth have remained consistently excellent. At the same time, Juchunyuan has embraced innovation, using digital means to boost operational efficiency and improve service quality. “This model of combining ‘traditional roots with modern thinking’ has truly breathed new life into the time-honored brand,” Xu Yinghong commented.

At the end of the interview, Xu Yinghong concluded, “The success of Juchunyuan proves that the vitality of a time-honored brand lies in both preserving traditional craftsmanship and innovating and breaking new ground. Upholding tradition means safeguarding cultural heritage and preserving the essence of Fujian cuisine; innovating means breaking through developmental boundaries and boldly embracing change and progress. This could be the valuable lesson that Juchunyuan offers to all time-honored brands. Looking forward, we hope Juchunyuan will continue to serve as the “driving force,” guiding Fujian cuisine to even greater success. (Fuzhou Evening News Reporter: Quan Yiyue/Text, photo courtesy of the interviewee)