Xiamen food carnival brings global flavors to neighborhood

The eighth Guanren International Community Food Carnival took place from Oct 23 to 25 at Xidi Coffee Street in Siming district, Xiamen, Fujian province, drawing residents and visitors for a three-day celebration of global cuisine and local food culture.

The carnival, themed "Star Chef Autumn Exquisite Season", featured live cooking and tastings by chefs from Michelin- and Black Pearl-recognized restaurants, bringing signature dishes from hotel and restaurant kitchens to the street. More than 50 selected businesses participated, offering flavors from around the world, including Southeast Asian curry, Italian pizza, German sausages, and French Breton crepes, along with traditional Minnan (Southern Fujian) snacks.

Chefs from an Arabian restaurant prepare food during the eighth Guanren International Community Food Carnival. [photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This year, the carnival introduced several initiatives to boost participation and convenience. These included the first "Dangjia Food List", which highlighted local eateries, with food experts and international community representatives recommending dining spots; a free double-decker shuttle bus connecting the carnival to the surrounding Yundang Lake night-time economy area; an online sales channel offering selected products from Chinese and international vendors; and a temporary dedicated payment channel for international visitors to pay for food by scanning QR codes.

International visitors break into an impromptu dance at the eighth Guanren International Community Food Carnival. [photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]