The Foreigner's Fortune Quest | Changle & Lianjiang: Fresh seafood paradise

Editorial Note: Fuzhou, known as the "City of Blessings," is nestled among the mountains of southeastern China's Fujian Province. With its famous "Three Mountains and Two Towers," this thousand-year-old city is a harmonious blend of natural wonders and cultural heritage. Blessed by majestic mountains and nurturing waters, its neat alleyways and bustling streets are home to a wealth of history and human ingenuity. But what truly makes Fuzhou "blessed"? Recently, a group of international visitors embarked on a quest to uncover the city's hidden treasures. Let's join them in discovering Fuzhou's timeless charm today.

When asked to capture Fuzhou's essence in a single word, Kemal—a food enthusiast with a discerning palate—answers unequivocally: "freshness." Join us on this culinary journey to Lianjiang county, Fuzhou's premier maritime county and a national leader in fishery output, where every inlet brims with seafood delicacies that embody the ocean's purest offerings. Then, venture to Meihu Ancient Town in Changle, where century-old fish sauce masters preserve umami perfection through meticulous fermentation, and amber-hued rice wine weathers into a symphony of sweetness and depth. Here, every dish tells a story of time-honored wisdom, where fishermen's knots and villagers' rituals transform ingredients into liquid poetry steeped in sunlight and salt. (By Lin Ying)