A Table of Joyful Diners

Savoring Every Bite

A Colorful Array of Delights

Culinary and Scenic Harmony

　　By Zhang Xiaoling, Converged Media Reporter

　　Crispy oyster omelettes, silky noodles in umami-rich broth, aromatic beef stew, and tender duck simmered with ginger—this National Day holiday, the ancient city of Quanzhou has captivated visitors from all over China with its distinctive culinary culture. Amid the bustling markets and fragrant street stalls, travellers found themselves immersed in the rhythm of local life, often exclaiming, "Quanzhou's food is truly good to eat!"

　　A City of Flavours: Local Specialties in High Demand

　　A steaming bowl of mianxianhu (rice noodles in thick broth) marks the start of a beautiful day in Quanzhou. At 9 a.m., customers lined up outside a time-honoured shop on Baiyuan Road, eagerly waiting for their turn. Shrimp, marinated pork, intestines, oysters—rows of fresh ingredients lined the counter. With swift, practiced hands, the shop owner assembled each bowl, ladling over the rich broth and finishing with a sprinkle of pepper, scallions, and coriander.

　　"The flavour is incredible—one bowl and I feel completely refreshed," said a visitor, echoing the delight of many others.

　　By 10 a.m., West Street and Zhongshan Road were alive with the sound of vendors calling and visitors chatting as families sampled snacks along the way—oyster omelettes, tusun dong (sea worm jelly), taro cakes, fuguo (sticky rice cakes), and sweet siguo soup. Every storefront drew a crowd. "This taro cake is amazing—crispy outside, soft inside!" said Ms. Li from Guangzhou as she shared it with her family. Even before finishing, she was drawn to the colourful fruit soup next door.

　　Around noon, the irresistible aroma of ginger duck filled Xinhua North Road. Drawn by the scent, visitors packed into an old, well-known restaurant. Pots of duck simmered gently, the golden ginger slices glistening in hot oil. "So tender and flavourful—not greasy at all!" said Mr. Lian from Changsha as his family enjoyed the meal.

　　Endless Surprises: The Many Tastes of Quanzhou

　　At lunchtime, a local beef restaurant on Tumen Street was equally packed. "My son's been waiting to try this place ever since he saw it on TV," said Mr. Huang from Wenzhou. "The beef is perfectly braised—soft yet chewy, and the broth is rich and satisfying." The family had come specifically for this meal, and now planned to continue their "food tour" across the city.

　　"On a hot day, nothing beats a chilled siguo soup with translucent stone jelly—it's so refreshing," said Ms. Zuo from Zhejiang. She laughed, "I've eaten four or five meals today already, and none of them were the same!" Before heading home, she bought taro cakes, sticky rice dumplings, and ginger duck to share the authentic Minnan flavours with family back in her hometown.

　　"There are just too many delicious things here—you can't taste them all in a few days," said Ms. Lu from Hainan, who had sampled everything from ginger duck to mianxianhu. "Quanzhou's food is so distinctive—you really can't find these flavours anywhere else."

　　Immersive Experiences: Everyday Warmth in Every Bite

　　For many visitors, Quanzhou's appeal goes beyond its food—it's the city's tempo of life and human warmth. "Eating on West Street, you can look up and see the East and West Pagodas of Kaiyuan Temple. It's such a magical feeling," said Chen, a food lover from Nanjing. "Ancient history and everyday life blend perfectly here—it makes you want to slow down."

　　"My friends and I didn't plan a tight schedule—we just wander and eat like locals," she said, having tried ginger duck at three different places to compare subtle variations. "Each has its own twist—that's the fun of it."

　　"The city feels alive, but never overwhelming," said Gui Mengyu from Hangzhou. "Walking through the old lanes, hearing locals call out in Hokkien—it's such an authentic, immersive experience."

　　Locals' friendliness left a deep impression on her: "When I ask for recommendations, people don't just tell me what to eat—they explain how to eat it, and even help map the route on their phones." She smiled, "That's the beauty of Quanzhou—its food, its people, its warmth. You already miss it before you leave."