A Bite of Mountains and Seas, a Taste of “Hehe”Culture: "Hehe Mountains & Seas" Snack Food Market Concludes

On November 2, the three-day 2025 China · Taizhou Snack Food Carnival's "Harmonious Mountains & Seas" Food Market successfully concluded in Tiantai, Taizhou. The event attracted over 50,000 visitors and generated sales exceeding 2.5 million RMB, giving a timely boost to the surrounding local homestay economy and creating a mini tourism boom.

The market was a vibrant scene filled with enticing aromas and bustling crowds. An array of local delicacies came together to create a lively and captivating atmosphere, allowing visitors to savor the cultural essence of Taizhou—where "the mountains and seas come together in a feast, embodying harmony and coexistence."

Local flavors were undoubtedly the star attraction of the market, with each bite evoking collective memories for Taizhou locals. Hulatai, a thin yet chewy pancake wrapped with fresh seafood and mountain vegetables, offered a burst of the region's abundant flavors in every bite. The stall for Zhu Agen's Baked Pancakes always had a long queue, with their juicy beef pancakes releasing an explosion of savory broth upon the first bite. Other local favorites like Lieshi Mountain Lv's Pao Xia (crispy outside, tender inside), Kangniao Seaweed Biscuits (salty with a hint of sweetness), the rich Zao Geng, and soft, glutinous Gaonian had local foodies exclaiming, "This takes me right back to my childhood!"

The line in front of the "Harmonious Tiantai" themed pavilion stretched even longer. Staff efficiently packed orders while enthusiastically explaining, "We specially prepared local specialties like Harmonious Yangjiaoti (crispy baked dough), Huangjing Walnut Cakes, and Dendrobium Peach Cookies, along with traditional snacks such as Old Street Mini Fried Dough Twists, Hawthorn Balls, and Ginger Candy—all to give everyone the most authentic taste of Taizhou." A local visitor, Ms. Chen, held a freshly baked Yangjiaoti in one hand while her child happily snacked beside her. She smiled and said, "The fermented sweet dough is baked to a perfect crisp—sweet but not cloying. I loved this as a child, and I'm thrilled to see my kid enjoying it just as much, unable to stop after just one bite."

From local specialties to famous snacks from across the country, the market's culinary map kept expanding, vividly illustrating the inclusivity and fusion inherent in "Hehe" culture. Savory Crispy Noodles from Xuzhou and Pengji Agu Beef Meatballs (chewy and flavorful) earned high praise from visitors. These specialty snacks, hailing from distant regions, offered Taizhou locals a unique and memorable tasting experience. "Being able to bring the flavors of my hometown to Tiantai and share them with so many friends, seeing everyone enjoy the food—this, to me, is the true spirit of 'Harmony,'" said Su Jiajian, representative of Pengji Agu Beef Meatballs.

The market's lively atmosphere wasn't just about the food—it was also reflected in interactive experiences filled with cultural charm. Nearby, parents and children gathered around to watch artisans making Wufan Maci (glutinous rice ball), while younger visitors captured the bustling scenes on their phones. On social media, posts and shares about the food market kept flooding feeds, further amplifying the excitement around this vibrant culinary celebration.

Looking ahead, Taizhou will continue to explore the cultural depth of its local cuisine. Through more distinctive events like this, the flavors of Taizhou will reach even broader audiences, injecting continuous vitality into the city's bid to become a "World City of Castronomy."

Translator：Jiayang Lin