Royal Deal

Dishes that bear myriad influences warm the heart in cold Northeast China. Wu Yong reports from Shenyang, Liaoning province.

Spring Festival is here. In Northeast China, where the temperature outdoor reaches -20 C on average during winter, it is also a time when bubbles in soup instantly freeze and look like ice balls. But even so, for tourists, indoor venues are never too cold due to the warmth of the local people and the delicious food.

It is said that diet is closely related to geography, culture and nationality. Northeast China is located outside of the Great Wall, where the Confucian culture, nomadic traditions and the marine spirit blend together. This place has been ruled by Hans, Manchus and Mongols over different periods, turning it into a diverse cultural package.