中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

On January 6, the 2025 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide was released, with Fuzhou’s Zheng Chunfa Fotiaoqiang (Sandi Center) and Harmony Garden (Huaqiao New Village) both making the list (both are one-diamond restaurants). This reflects the growing influence of Fujian cuisine and highlights the exciting prospects for Fuzhou to advance its ambition of becoming a “City of Gastronomy.”

In the 2025 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, three cities from Fujian made the list: Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou. A total of 10 restaurants from Fujian were featured, including 1 two-diamond restaurant and 9 one-diamond restaurants, showing an increase of 4 restaurants compared to last year. The listed restaurants represent five types of cuisine: Fuzhou cuisine, Minnan cuisine, seafood, vegetarian dishes, and western-style food, with Fujian cuisine accounting for 80% of the total.

The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide has been deeply rooted in Fujian for 8 years, gradually covering the cities of Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Quanzhou since 2018. The release and award ceremony for the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide is expected to take place in Fujian early next year. The “Black Pearl” will continue to support the development of fine dining in Fujian.

Zheng Chunfa Fotiaoqiang Experience Restaurant upholds a century-old traditional craftsmanship, preserving the essence of Fujian cuisine while integrating innovative elements and modern trends. It is a cultural experience space that embodies the unique characteristics of Fuzhou’s alley culture. Harmony Garden aims to integrate Fuzhou cuisine, Wuyi tea, and traditional Chinese aesthetics. Its “Instant-boiled Sea Clam in Chicken Broth” represents the ultimate simplicity of Fuzhou cuisine.

Wei Wei, Vice President of Meituan and General Manager of Meituan’s In-store Catering Business Division, remarked that while consumer demand for fine dining remains relatively stable, the way this demand is met and the supply have changed. This has placed higher demands on restaurant management capabilities, requiring a rethink of menu offerings, services, and business models. In these aspects, Fuzhou’s listed restaurants have made beneficial innovations.

On the evening of the 6th, Zheng Chunfa Fotiaoqiang Restaurant, located on the third floor of Sandi Xintiandi Mall in Taijiang District, was bustling with customers. “I decided to come here after seeing it on a food recommendation list,” said Ms. Gu, a visitor from Hong Kong. Savoring distinctive local flavors at a top-quality restaurant chosen from a trusted food guide is an essential part of her travel experience in a new city.

“Our products have always been favored by seasoned diners. The ‘Black Pearl’ Guide undoubtedly serves as a great reference for those who are not yet familiar with Fujian cuisine, helping us to further grow our market,” said Zhang Jianming, the founder of Zheng Chunfa Fotiaoqiang. He anticipates that the restaurant’s customer base will increase by approximately 30% due to its inclusion on the list. “The inclusion of Fuzhou restaurants in this prestigious guide will certainly bring fresh opportunities for the development of Fujian cuisine. We will seize this opportunity to position Fotiaoqiang as a landmark of the city, offering visitors from other regions the chance to learn about and enjoy Fuzhou’s culinary delights.”

“The consistent presence of Fuzhou restaurants on renowned food guides like ‘Black Pearl’ will elevate the city’s dining market, further drive the development of the cultural and tourism industries, and attract top-tier catering brands to our city,” said Huang Lyubing, President of the Fuzhou Catering and Cuisine Industry Association. Being included in prestigious food guides helps drive the comprehensive advancement of Fuzhou’s dining establishments, and promotes the global reach of Fujian cuisine. This is an important step in Fuzhou’s bid for “City of Gastronomy.” Currently, Fotiaoqiang restaurants have expanded beyond the province, and Fuzhou’s Fujian cuisine has even reached the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. As local restaurants continue to be featured on such lists, Fuzhou’s culinary influence on the global stage will continue to grow. (Fuzhou Evening News Reporter: Jiang Hai)