Food and restaurants, what and where to eat in Fujian

Fujian, as a coastal province and a major tourist destination, enjoys a culinary abundance surpassing that of many other regions. Min cuisine, represented by Fuzhou and Southern Fujian dishes, holds an important place in the treasure trove of Chinese culinary culture and is one of the Eight Great Cuisines of China. It is renowned for its meticulous ingredient selection, precise knife work, fresh and fresh flavors, and emphasis on rich broths, particularly excelling in the preparation of mountain delicacies and seafood. Following are the best food and restaurant in Fujian.

What to eat

Top 1: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall/佛跳墙

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is one of Fujian’s top ten signature dishes and is hailed as the “king of Min cuisine”. According to folklore, the dish originated during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, giving it a history of over a hundred years. Legend has it that the aroma of the dish was so enticing that even the Buddha would abandon meditation and leap over a wall to taste it—hence the name “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall”.

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall contains a wide variety of premium ingredients. Abalone, sea cucumber, fish lip, pleurotus eryngii, pork tendons, shiitake mushrooms, cuttlefish, dried scallops, quail eggs, and more—about 20 ingredients in total—are stir-fried, pan-fried, or deep-fried, then placed into a clay pot. Rich broth and Shaoxing wine are added, and the dish is gently simmered over a low flame. The final result is tender and smooth in texture, rich in meaty aroma yet not greasy, with layers of complex and lingering flavors.

Top 2: Oyster Omelette/蚵仔煎

Oyster omelette is a classic snack popular in southern Fujian, Taiwan, and the Chaoshan region, with crispy texture and smooth filling. The coastal regions of Fujian are rich in oysters, making it a popular dish throughout the province, and locals also frequently use oysters to make congee. Legend has it that oyster omelette was a creative invention by early Fujian people during times of scarcity, serving as a substitute staple when food was limited.

Fresh oysters are mixed with sweet potato starch, eggs, scallions, and garlic, seasoned with soy sauce, then pan-fried until golden and crispy on both sides. A drizzle of sesame oil and sweet chili sauce finishes the dish, making a sharp aroma that keeps people coming back for more.

Top 3: Misua Paste/面线糊

Misua Paste originated in Quanzhou and is a traditional snack popular in southern Fujian and Taiwan, with a history of over 800 years. The misua, or wheat vermicelli, used is a specialty of Fujian—less than 1 millimeter in diameter and made by hand through a seven-step process that takes up to nine hours. It is known as the longest and thinnest noodle in China, praised for being “as fine as hair, soft yet resilient, and not mushy in soup”.

Misua Paste is made by simmering delicious and fresh seafood such as shrimp, oysters, razor clams, and mussels into a broth, then cooking it with wheat vermicelli until it thickens into paste. It’s typically served with fried dough sticks and flavored with crispy shallots and ground pepper, giving it a rich, savory aroma. The taste is fresh, sweet, and smooth, with the distinctive flavors of southern Fujian cuisine.

Top 4: Shacha Noodles/沙茶面

Shacha Noodles are a distinctive delicacy from the Minnan region of Fujian, with a history that stretches back several centuries. As early settlers from Minnan ventured across the seas to Southeast Asia, they brought back exotic spices and cooking techniques. The creation of shacha sauce is a result of this cultural fusion—combining Southeast Asian ingredients like peanuts, coconut cream, and dried shrimp with Minnan staples such as garlic, chili, and five-spice powder, all simmered over low heat to produce a rich, aromatic blend.

The magic of Shacha Noodles lies in its broth. Made from shacha sauce and soup-stock, the soup is thick, deeply fragrant, and layered with savory, sweet, spicy, and aromatic notes. Though complex, its flavor is profoundly satisfying and leaves a lasting impression.

Top 5: Lychee Pork/荔枝肉

Lychee Pork is a traditional specialty dish from Fuzhou, Putian and other parts of Fujian, belonging to the Min cuisine, with a history spanning two to three hundred years. The dish gets its name because it uses white water chestnuts and pork cut with crosshatch knife patterns as ingredients, which, after cooking, resemble the appearance of lychees.

Lean pork is scored with cross-shaped patterns and then sliced diagonally into pieces. When deep-fried, the meat curls up into a shape resembling lychees due to the precise and even depth and spacing of the cuts. It is then stir-fried with water chestnuts or potatoes, and flavored with aromatic vinegar, sugar, and wet starch. The finished dish has a reddish hue, a lychee-like appearance, a tender-crisp texture, and a tangy, appetizing flavor.

Top 6: Fuzhou Fish Ball/福州鱼丸

Fuzhou Fish Ball is a renowned traditional snack from Fuzhou, Fujian, with origins dating back to the early Qing Dynasty. The balls made by mashing eel, mackerel, and other fish into a paste, mixing it with potato starch to form the outer skin, and using minced pork and shrimp as the filling to shape into balls. They are boiled until cooked, then served in a flavorful broth topped with chopped scallions. Floating on the surface like stars in the sky, they are also called “Seven-Star Fish Balls”. These fish balls are pure white, delicate and glossy in appearance, with tender, smooth and bouncy texture as well as a deliciously fresh taste.

Top 7: Fuding Meatball/福鼎肉片

Fuding Meatball is one of the most representative dishes of Ningde, Fujian, and are said to have originated in the early Ming Dynasty. Made from lean pork and starch, along with scallions, salt, MSG, and baking soda, they are commonly prepared by hand. Though called meatballs, they are not round—just a flick of the spoon and a squeeze of the hand creates irregular shapes. Paired with yellow chili, rice vinegar, and cilantro, they are springy, smooth, and pleasantly chewy, with a rich layering of sour, spicy, and savory flavors.

Top 8: Sipunculid Worm Jelly/土笋冻

Sipunculid Worm Jelly is a famous seafood snack from southern Fujian, originating in Anhai, a thousand-year-old town in Jinjiang, Quanzhou. Made from the unique coastal marine product, sipunculid worms, this dish is crystal-clear, tender, and springy in texture. After thoroughly cleaning the sipunculid worms, they are quickly boiled for two to three minutes over high heat. The broth is then poured into small bowls and left to cool naturally, forming a gelatinous jelly. While eating, it is typically flavored with sauces according to personal preference, which is a truly dark cuisine.

Where to eat

Top 1: Azhong Seafood Stall/阿忠食坊

Azhong Seafood Stall is a seafood eatery with a 20-year history that has weathered the years to become an unmissable culinary landmark in Xiamen. Though the atmosphere can be lively and noisy, the place is remarkably clean and well-maintained. Among Xiamen’s many seafood stalls, Azhong stands out for its excellent value, earning a place as a must-visit spot in the hearts of tourists.

Despite its popularity, Azhong Seafood Stall remains true to its authentic Minnan-style seafood. The ingredients are fresh, the dishes are served quickly, ensuring every diner enjoys a truly satisfying culinary experience.

• Recommended: Oyster Rice, Fourfinger Threadfin with Sichuan Pepper, Sipunculid Worm Jelly, Grouper, seafoods
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM & 05:00 PM – 02:00 AM
• Address: No. 111, Jinbang Road, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian
• Telephone: 0592-5852680

Top 2: Juchunyuan Hotel-Fuzhou/聚春园大酒店

Juchunyuan is located in the bustling city center of Fuzhou, Fujian. As a time-honored Min cuisine restaurant, it holds a prestigious place in the hearts of Fuzhou locals. Its signature dish, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, was first created here. This renowned delicacy combines a variety of rare mountain and seafood ingredients in one pot, resulting in a rich and flavorful broth.

Originating in Fujian over a century ago, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall has endured the test of time alongside Juchunyuan, remaining a culinary classic. The restaurant’s other Min dishes also maintain high standards, featuring refined presentation and balanced flavors.

• Recommended: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Taichi Taro Puree, Lychee Pork, Fuzhou Fish Ball, Ginger Duck
• Operating Hours: 11:30 AM – 01:30 PM & 05:30 PM – 08:30 PM
• Address: No. 2, Dong Street, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian
• Telephone: 0591-87502328

Top 3: Yousheng Flavor Snack Stall/友生风味小吃

Yousheng Flavor Snack Stall is a well-known eatery in Xiamen, located at the entrance of the Eighth Market, with a history of 40 years. For four decades, it has remained steadfast on Kaiyuan Road. The shop is hailed as one of the "Four Culinary Treasures of Xiamen", mainly serving Shacha noodles, pig trotter noodles, and Lor mee (braised noodles). Customers can customize their bowls with a variety of toppings, such as pork liver, pork intestines, oysters, tofu, meatballs, and pig trotters.

• Recommended: Shacha Noodles, Pig Trotter Noodles, Lor mee
• Operating Hours: 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Address: No. 147, Kaiyuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian
• Telephone: 13774652928

Top 4: Rice Dumpling Vendors 1980/1980烧肉粽

Near the former site of the Workers’ Cultural Palace on Zhongshan Road in Xiamen, there is a shop called Rice Dumpling Vendors 1980, a local culinary icon that has been passed down for three generations over forty years. For many longtime Xiamen residents, it holds cherished memories of traditional flavors.

Even before stepping through the door, the rich aroma of zongzi fills the alleyway. Paired with the homemade mustard sauce and Xiamen chili sauce, the taste is so mouthwatering that words simply can’t do it justice.

• Recommended: The Rice Dumpling Vendors, Shacha Noodles, Sipunculid Worm Jelly，Oyster Omelette, Grass Jelly
• Operating Hours: 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
• Address: No. 353, Zhongshan Road, Siming District, Xiamen City, Fujian
• Telephone: 0592-2032869

Top 5: Zuideyi Restaurant/醉得意

Zuideyi Restaurant, located in the famous Three Lanes and Seven Alleys of Fuzhou, is hailed as the pinnacle of homestyle cooking. With its pleasant environment and distinctive decor typical of a Chinese eatery, it caters to diners of all ages. Mealtimes always draw a bustling crowd. The dishes are generous in portion and reasonably priced, with flavors so memorable that just one bite leaves a lasting impression.

• Recommended: Spare Ribs in Wine Sauce, Lychee Pork, Ginger Duck, Fried Liver, Garlic-baked Shrimp with Vermicelli
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM
• Address: No. 80, Nanhou Street, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian
• Telephone: 18105918833