By Wang Yujing, Su Liyan, with contributions from Li Jia, Ye Guanqing, and Yang Hua

　　As the Year of the Snake ushers in renewal, Quanzhou’s culinary landscape has achieved a landmark milestone. The 2025 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, unveiled in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, has officially inscribed two Quanzhou gems—Qing You Yu (Puxi Central Street) and KAIPUU BELFRY？ · Mussel Restaurant—into its prestigious ranks, marking Quanzhou’s growing prominence in China’s fine dining landscape.

　　This milestone follows the December 2024 Michelin Guide Fujian Edition, which recognized four Quanzhou restaurants—Ant Private Kitchen, Jiangnan Courtyard, Green Island Seafood Restaurant, and Qing You Yu. Additionally, ten local eateries, including Aqiu Steak (Huxin Street), Lao Abo, Chunsheng Restaurant, and Luo Ji Mianxian Hu, earned Michelin-recommended status.

　　According to the Quanzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, this recognition signals an unprecedented era of growth for the city’s dining industry. “These accolades are not just about food—they are catalysts for Quanzhou’s bid to become a UNESCO City of Gastronomy,” remarked a bureau representative.

　　Why Black Pearl Matters: Rigor, Heritage, and Innovation

　　The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, renowned for its stringent selection criteria—culinary excellence, service and ambiance, and heritage and innovation—is curated by anonymous expert reviewers. Since its inception in 2018, the guide has earned a reputation for professionalism and impartiality, catering to China’s most discerning diners while expanding into new cities and elevating regional cuisines.

　　The 2025 edition features 370 restaurants across 57 culinary traditions, with regional specialties driving growth. Quanzhou, alongside Changzhou, Wenzhou, and Sanya, saw its first Black Pearl selections this year.

　　Qing You Yu (Puxi Central Street) specializes in refined Fujian cuisine, while KAIPUU BELFRY·Mussel Restaurant highlights the region’s rich seafood heritage—both embodying Quanzhou’s coastal culinary traditions. Tang Yan, head of the Black Pearl Guide at Meituan, praised Quanzhou’s deep-rooted gastronomic legacy, shaped by Minyue, Central Plains, and Maritime Silk Road influences. Over the years, particularly since China’s economic reforms, Quanzhou cuisine has developed a distinctive style—delicate, light, and elegant. She expressed enthusiasm for uncovering more hidden gems in Quanzhou in the coming year, further enhancing the city's culinary appeal.

　　2026: A Year of Global Collaboration

　　Quanzhou’s culinary journey will reach new heights in 2026 when the Black Pearl Guide hosts its annual launch event in the city. This milestone will attract global dining brands, foster industry dialogue, and elevate Quanzhou’s profile on the world stage. Xu Xiaochun, a Min cuisine scholar advising Quanzhou’s UNESCO bid, expressed enthusiasm: “Next year’s guide launch will be a defining moment for our city’s gastronomic identity.”

　　From Local Delicacies to Global Prestige

　　Quanzhou’s Culinary Identity Gains International Recognition

　　The Black Pearl Guide joins the Michelin Guide and Golden Phoenix Guide in spotlighting Quanzhou’s culinary diversity. This convergence is transforming the city’s dining ecosystem: international chains like New Rong Ji？and Dong Dong are poised to enter the market, while local icons like Min He Nan and Rong Yu gain momentum to expand globally.

　　Data underscores this shift: 64% of Black Pearl-listed restaurants report increased online engagement, driven largely by millennials and Gen Z diners. As demand for premium experiences grows, Quanzhou is leveraging its heritage to bridge East and West. Notably, 2025 marked a record number of overseas Chinese restaurants on the guide, reflecting Chinese cuisine’s rising global influence.

　　A Recipe for Economic and Cultural Revival

　　Quanzhou’s ambition aligns with broader goals: to position itself as a crossroads of history, culture, and gastronomy. “Gastronomy is the soul of our city,” says Xu Xiaochun. “These recognitions amplify our voice in the global dialogue about taste and tradition.”

　　With plans to host the 2026 guide launch and strengthen partnerships with international platforms, Quanzhou aims to transform its culinary identity into an economic engine. From ancient temples to Michelin-starred kitchens, the city invites the world to savor its story—one dish at a time.