Happiness, All in This Bite of “Mountain-and-Sea” Delicacy

On November 1, 2025, the second day of the “Harmony of Mountains and Seas” Snack Market, the Tiantai County Tourist Distribution Center remained packed with crowds and filled with enticing aromas. As the star attraction of this carnival, over 70 specialty food stalls went all out, turning up the heat on this mountain-and-sea culinary feast.

From opening until dusk, the market saw an endless stream of visitors. The “Impressive Tiantai” stall, in particular, was bursting with customers. The chef’s wrist moved lightly as his spatula skillfully stirred Yongxi fish in the wok, the fish gradually turning a tempting golden brown under the high heat. “These fish are raised in crystal-clear mountain streams, so their meat is tender, and the fatty part on the back is wonderfully sticky and soft!” According to the stall owner, many locals make special trips just to taste this “Tiantai freshness.”

Beyond the pan-fried Yongxi fish, the array of Taizhou’s iconic local delicacies also drew huge attention. Wu Meixian’s “meaty wontons” featured translucent wrappers as thin as gossamer, wrapped around plump, firm fillings—after boiling, they became crystal clear, bursting with savory juice at the first bite. The “Danqing Yangwei”(fried egg-white with red bean paste), a true beauty of Taizhou snacks, had a fluffy, cloud-like crust encasing smooth bean paste—sweet but not cloying, its delicate texture showcasing the refinement of Taizhou’s snack culture. Kangniao’s seaweed cakes offered a wonderful fusion of mountain and sea flavors. Meanwhile, the subtle fragrance of black rice cakes, the crispness of “Hulata,” the rich taste of Sanmen pine flower cakes, and the smoky aroma of Zhu Agen’s small baked cakes—all these flavors intertwined, painting a vivid and tantalizing picture of Taizhou’s culinary scene.

“Boss, two more plum blossom rice cakes!” Freshly baked rice cakes, still steaming, were snapped up in no time by eager customers. “This stall’s plum blossom rice cakes are really generous with ingredients—topped with brown sugar and sesame seeds, and when you bite into them, they’re packed with filling!” said Ms. Lin, a local resident, as she tasted one while it was hot. “Freshly baked makes all the difference—the outside has a slight smoky crispness, while the inside is soft, sweet, and perfectly balanced in flavor.”

Such praise could be heard everywhere in the market. Visitors, holding various snacks and perhaps still with frosting or grease on their lips, couldn’t hide the smiles on their faces.

Translator：Jiayang Lin