China Eight: Fujian Cuisine

One of the smaller Chinese provinces, Fujian is located on the southeastern coast of China, and covers 123,100 square kilometres. The provincial capital is Fuzhou.

Definition

Also known as "Min" food, Fujian cuisine takes most of its ingredients from coastal and estuarial waterways, with flavourings from the mountains.

History

With Fujian becoming more economically and culturally vibrant after the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), various residents of Fujian began to promote their local cuisine in other parts of China, especially during the 18th century.

One particularly famous Fujian dish "Buddha Jumps over a Wall" can trace its origins back by at least 100 years thanks to a saying it inspired: "This dish is so tasty, to get his share, the learned monk would jump over a wall."

These days, as well as in its home province, Fujian cuisine is particularly popular in Taiwan.

Recipe Book

In the kitchen: the particular and exacting cutting and slicing methods of Fujian chefs are well known, and Fujian kitchens often hold the peculiar aroma of the yeast used to make the "red distiller's grain" - fabulous on poultry
At the cooker: quick-frying, quick-boiling, pickling, stewing and braising.
On the table: fresh fish and smaller quick-boiled seafood, rich and complex soups, exquisitely made and refreshingly tangy "bite size" delicacies

Local Flavour

Focus: A very unique flavouring used often in Fujian food is the so-called "red distiller's grain." It is actually made from glutinous rice fermented with red yeast. Taking over a year to prepare in a specially made and sealed vessel, the final product is sharp and sweet/sour in flavour. It goes extremely well with light meats, seafood and quick-fried vegetables. As the name suggests, this intriguing sauce has a vibrant, deep rose-red colour, and an enticingly edged smell. It is pictured served with cold-cut chicken.

Words

Delicately spiced, balanced sweet and sour flavours, exquisite preparation

Dishes

Buddha Jumps over A Wall (and other similar rich soups), oyster cakes (sweet and crumbly pastries filled with delicious meats), preserves in jelly, flash boiled squid in chicken soup, crisp lychee-shaped pork balls.