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Freshness, umami, the fifth taste beyond sweet, sour, bitter, and salty is present in all fresh ingredients, such as foie gras, truffles, caviar, fresh seafood, as well as common vegetables like mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, and corn.
Freshness, a palate filled with a taste map, from Xiamen to Nanjing, Chaozhou, and Zhangzhou, experiencing the flavours from rivers, lakes, and plains, akin to exploring the culinary heritage of Minnan cuisine.
“The mountains have winter worms, and the sea has star worms,” fully embodies the nutritional value of “star worms,” which are deeply favoured by people and has become a delicious delicacy on the table. It is said that this dish has a history of more than 400 years and is related to Zheng Chenggong or the anti-Japanese hero Qi Jiguang.
Star worms, also known as “Tusun”, are abundant in the southern Fujian region. These little creatures hide in mudflats and puddles. They have plump bodies and a crisp texture, tasting like bamboo shoots. Legend has it that the two heroes dug them out during turbulent times and made soup, which they didn’t eat immediately. After cooling, the soup formed a jelly-like texture, creating the “Tusun jelly.” Paired with this traditional snack is small octopus blanched in hot water then chilled, providing a refreshing and delicious taste.
Azhu Grand Restaurant used to be a humble snack stall on Lujiang Road in Xiamen. From just three tables back then to a few hundred square meters restaurant later, and now to a grand restaurant spanning over 5,000 square meters, it all relies on the genuine skill of making authentic Minnan cuisine. Every dish on the table embodies the heart-warming and delicious flavours of old Xiamen, as stated on the signboard.
Azhu Grand Restaurant
Address: 708 Lianqian West Road
Contact: +86 592 591 2929