Foshan – China’s Gourmet Capital

Shunde, a district in Foshan, Guangdong, is world-renowned for its status as a cradle of Cantonese gastronomy. Generations of chefs from Shunde have perfected the art of balancing flavors with a light, skillful hand, emphasizing the freshness of local produce and river fish. The district’s respect for ingredients and classic cooking techniques makes its cuisine stand out across China and beyond. Famous dishes such as Shunde raw fish salad and traditional steamed fish highlight the region’s refined culinary philosophy. Visiting Shunde feels like entering a living food museum, where centuries of Cantonese tradition remain deeply rooted in everyday life.

One of the most anticipated celebrations in Shunde is the Dragon Boat Festival, an event that lights up the local waterways with color and energy. Teams of rowers, their boats painted with fierce dragon heads, compete fiercely while drummers keep a driving rhythm that echoes across the canals. Spectators crowd the riverbanks, cheering and celebrating together. Families gather to prepare and share zongzi, bamboo-leaf-wrapped rice dumplings filled with pork, beans, or sweet pastes, a tradition honoring loyalty and remembrance. The festival perfectly captures Shunde’s sense of community pride, weaving together sporting excitement, cultural memory, and delicious festival foods.

Besides its famous seafood and steamed delicacies, Shunde’s food culture embraces a huge variety of sweets and street snacks. Double-skin milk pudding, with its silky smooth texture, is a beloved treat that showcases the district’s talent for turning simple dairy into a refined dessert. You’ll also find street vendors offering handmade rice rolls, pan-fried radish cakes, and delicate dim sum that draw food lovers from all over the region. Even outside formal restaurants, Shunde locals are dedicated to perfecting authentic, home-style cooking, preserving skills passed down for centuries. This commitment to culinary excellence makes Shunde a true paradise for food enthusiasts.