FOOD

The Confused Origins of One of China’s Most Popular Dishes

How Anhui “banmian” spread across the nation and became associated with a city hundreds of kilometers away from its place of origin

FOOD

Stripped Down: The Story Behind China’s Favorite Snack

How simple, greasy, cheap “latiao” (literally ”spicy strips“) became the people’s snack

FOOD

How a Tiny Flower Becomes the Scent of Autumn in China

From drinks and desserts to tourist sites, sweet osmanthus has been an autumn favorite for Chinese people for over 2,000 years

FOOD

Community Canteens For Seniors Take Off Among Chinese Youth

Young Chinese turn to government-funded canteens for the elderly amid food safety scandals and the rising cost of meals

FOOD

Prepared to Fail: Cafeterias and Restaurants Face Backlash for Pre-Made Meals

A school canteen scandal has Chinese consumers rethinking their growing demand for pre-prepared and ready-to-eat meals

FOOD

Bones of Industry: Discover Shenyang’s Favorite Street Snack

A simple Dongbei dish symbolizes the rise, fall, and reinvention of a once-flourishing industrial heartland

FOOD

Noodle Nostalgia: How an Imported Rice Noodle Dish Became the Pride of a Hunan City

Despite coming to Hengyang only 30 years ago, “lufen” has already become a symbol of pride for the locals who grew up with it

FOOD

Can Anything Save China’s Fast Food Brands?

Once applauded for their high-end take on classic Chinese dishes, “internet famous” restaurants are now struggling to retain customers

FOOD

Acquired Tastes: Fishy Grass and Other Chinese Herbs and Spices

Discover the infamous ”fishy-taste-grass” and other peculiar Chinese herbs and spices

FOOD

You Slaw It Everywhere: How Chinese Cabbage Connects Generations

Discover how spicy cabbage connects people across space and time in old and new ways