中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

As night falls, walking from Sanfang Qixiang, where history and modern life intertwine, to the bustling and brightly lit Daming Food Street, you’ll notice that Fuzhou, a thousand-year-old city, has quietly embraced a new look. On December 15, Daming Food Street 2.0 reopened with a rejuvenated ambiance.

Gulou District has positioned the Daming Food Street renovation project as a “New Culinary and Cultural Landmark on the Maritime Silk Road,” centered around the “Maritime Silk Road Culture.” This project brings together the characteristics of Fujian, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, while also complementing and sharing visitors with Sanfang Qixiang. It is China’s first food culture-themed street dedicated to the Maritime Silk Road.

Many locals and tourists are enjoying the food at Daming Food Street. (Photo by Reporter Chi Yuan)

Cultural Upgrading:

Bright Lights, Maritime Silk Road Boosting Prosperity

“Click-clack!” Many citizens pose for photos in front of the neon lights on the street, with the upgraded Daming Food Street in the background.

As you enter the street from Yangqiao Road, you’ll notice that it is split into three major themed areas: Fujian, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. These areas are linked by specialty food and cultural and creative products, forming a fresh urban food landmark.

The food truck in the Fujian-themed area is designed like a long “Fujian-style ship,” symbolizing the “blessed ship on the Maritime Silk Road.” At the forefront is Tongli Pork Wonton, a time-honored brand and a provincial intangible cultural heritage. Chen Junfan, the head of Tongli Pork Wonton and an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage, is working with his apprentices, using a wooden mallet to pound the meat mixture on the chopping board to make wonton wrappers.

“I hope that while enjoying the authentic flavor of Fujian, people can also gain an understanding of the traditional craftsmanship behind Fujian’s intangible cultural heritage,” said Chen Junfan. Pork Wonton, also known as Taiping Wonton, is a signature delicacy of Fuzhou that incorporates “Fu” culture. For visitors to this city, enjoying Taiping Wonton is like embarking on a journey aboard the “blessed ship” which will bring them good fortune.

The most prominent features of the Taiwan-themed area are the iconic “Taipei 101” and the “Eluanbi Lighthouse”, which are located in the north and south of Tainan respectively. Seeing them, visitors feel as if they have stepped into a real night market in Taiwan. The brightly colored signboards add a lively charm to the area, each showcasing its own distinctive style. Whether in typography or design, every element reflects the deep cultural heritage of Taiwan.

With its exotic allure, the Southeast Asia-themed area features coastal sunset hues, distinctive rooftops, and intricately carved decorations, all coming together to create a uniquely relaxing atmosphere. After exploring Sanfang Qixiang, Ms. Zhou, a tourist from Zhejiang, and her friends wandered into Daming Food Street. “It’s an incredible experience. Not only do we indulge in great food, but we also get to enjoy a visual and auditory feast. This trip is truly worthwhile,” she remarked.

The food street is complemented by Daming Youji, a cultural and creative market that gathers over 20 distinctive vendors from across the country, offering a diverse array of intangible cultural heritage crafts. Additionally, there are dedicated spaces for live music and street performances, enriching the area with a vibrant artistic and cultural atmosphere.

Business Upgrade:

One Street and Three Areas, A Feast for Your Appetite

In the past, businesses on the food street faced an intense homogeneous competition. Now, with the new “one street, three areas” layout, the 2.0 version has achieved a comprehensive upgrade. Currently, five themed food truck clusters have been introduced, covering over 140 brands.

The Fujian-themed area follows the concept of “One City, One Specialty; One County, One Product; One Village, One Flavor” to showcase the unique culinary delights of Fujian. Currently, over 50 brands are featured, including Tongli Pork Wonton, Juchunyuan, Tianjiuwang Braised Pork, Changtingxiang Tofu, Dadao Beef, Guoshui Braised Duck, and more. Among them, 20 are time-honored brands and intangible cultural heritage items.

A steaming bowl of tender braised pork offers comforting warmth to diners on a chilly winter day. Lin Zhiyong, the founder of Tianjiuwang Braised Pork, a traditional snack from Putian’s intangible cultural heritage, shared that the dish dates back to 1879. The Lin family ancestors ingeniously paired tenderloin with tofu balls, perfecting the marination and cooking methods to create this delectable dish, which has been passed down through the generations.

From the aromatic braised pork rice to the classic Taiwanese skewers, from the rich and smooth tofu dessert to the refreshing herbal tea that cools the body, Daming Food Street offers a wide variety of Taiwanese delicacies. There are over 60 brands in the Taiwan-themed area, including Taiwan Kitchen, Chen’s Oyster Omelette, and Songhe Road No. 1.

Liu Yuxiang, the owner of Taiwan Kitchen, aims to serve “authentic flavors.” “My goal is to bring authentic Taiwanese cuisine to the table. If you’re from Taiwan, you can instantly recognize the flavor of Taichung,” she said. Unlike the dry pot style commonly seen in Southern Fujian, Taiwan's ginger duck stew is served in a soup hotpot, making it a popular choice for winter nourishment. With years of experience in the food industry, this is her first time opening a stall at the food street. Her commitment to using high-quality ingredients and preserving authentic flavors boosts her confidence, and she looks forward to introducing more people to authentic Taiwan flavors, while strengthening cross-strait culinary exchanges.

The Southeast Asia-themed area has invited a variety of Southeast Asian food vendors and exotic businesses. Over 20 brands, including Nanyang Baobao and 8 Burgers, have already established their presence, providing locals with an opportunity to explore international flavors.

Service Upgrade:

Green Dining, Comfortable Experience

At the “8 Burgers” stall in the Southeast Asia-themed area, the patties sizzle on the hot grill. Ms. Zheng and her friends are eagerly anticipating a taste of the authentic American burgers.

“The vibrant atmosphere here is truly relaxing,” said Ms. Zheng, who visited Daming Food Street to grab a bite after running a marathon earlier in the day. She noticed that each food truck is equipped with a hand washing sink and a public dining area, and the open kitchen and stove design also lets customers see the food being prepared in a hygienic environment, ensuring they can enjoy their meals with confidence.

“In terms of food safety, the street has implemented a strict supplier entry system, requiring vendors to provide complete certification and documentation, effectively blocking problematic ingredients from entering at the source,” said a responsible person from the Daming Food Street operations team. The street has also paid close attention to the protection of the surrounding environment. On one hand, the public areas of the food street are cleaned more frequently. Before opening each day, the floors are pressure-washed and oil stains are cleaned. During operating hours, dedicated staff members conduct regular inspections and cleaning. On the other hand, a series of green upgrades have been implemented. All food trucks are equipped with low-emission integrated systems to strengthen grease purification, and each food truck cluster is also fitted with underground grease traps and drainage pipes to ensure the separation and proper treatment of oil, water, and impurities.

To support the growth of Daming Food Street, Fuzhou Rural Commercial Bank held a financial anti-fraud campaign on-site, providing various benefits to locals and visitors, enhancing their culinary experience even further.

The relevant official from Gulou District stated that the revitalized Daming Food Street, with "Maritime Silk Road Culture" as its theme, connects the cultures, landscapes, and cuisines of different regions, creating a unique urban landmark in the heart of Fuzhou. The street will fully leverage its advantageous geographical and cultural conditions, continue to explore the profound essence of Maritime Silk Road culture, highlight the lively local atmosphere through its culinary offerings, and assist Fuzhou in building an international consumption center city. (Fuzhou Daily Reporters: Mo Siyu, Yan Xiao; Correspondent: Peng Hui)