On April 15, the vibrant "Food in Guangzhou" Canton Cuisine Carnival started at the Canton Fair Complex, coinciding with the opening of the 137th session of the Canton Fair. This 15-day event, held for the first time at the Canton Fair, is expected to attract attendees from over 200 countries and regions, offering an immersive international experience that blends culinary delights with cultural performances.
Culinary extravaganza and cultural performances showcase Guangzhou's heritage
The Carnival features nearly 40 renowned dining establishments, including Guangzhou's time-honored brands, Cantonese cuisine specialists, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) food vendors, Michelin-starred restaurants, and trendy beverage brands. Highlights include participation from Dim-Dou-Dux, a restaurant famous for authentic Cantonese dim sum, Bou Chai Wah, and Li Yin Rice Roll Master, among others.
This marks the first time the Canton Fair has integrated a city food culture segment, aiming to present food in Guangzhou as a new window for global visitors to explore Chinese culture and the spirit of the city.
In addition to gastronomic offerings, the festival includes captivating cultural performances and interactive ICH experiences. National ICH inheritor Rao Baolian showcased on the opening day of carnival her exquisite paper-cutting skills, drawing crowds of domestic and international visitors.
Other traditional crafts, such as Chinese knot weaving, are also featured, allowing attendees to engage directly with Lingnan culture.
Forum and trade support for Guangzhou food brands going global
Simultaneously, a forum on supporting Guangzhou foods to go global was held, providing a platform for Guangzhou's dining enterprises and international buyers to connect. This initiative aims to assist Guangzhou's culinary brands in expanding into international markets, particularly in countries along the Belt and Road.
Support from major platforms like UnionPay Guangdong, Agricultural Bank of Guangdong, Meituan, and Douyin offers consumer vouchers, payment facilitation, and brand promotion, boosting local consumption and aiding brands in their global outreach.
As a hub of trade and commerce, Guangzhou leverages its robust industrial chain and rich cultural resources to support Chinese culinary brands in their international ventures. From traditional dim sum to home-style Cantonese dishes, the city's culinary essence is on full display.
Wang Xiaohua, Senior Official at the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, noted that "Food in Guangzhou" represents both the city's brand and its millennia-old commercial heritage. This event marks the first time in the Canton Fair's 68-year history that "Food in Guangzhou" has been integrated into the fair's core program, linking exhibition, tourism, and night economies to drive diversified growth in the exhibition-based economy. Through the global trade platform of the Canton Fair, "Food in Guangzhou" is poised to reach an international audience, becoming a new emblem of cultural export.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Guo Chuhua
Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He
