Shaxian delicacies taste global success

Typical Shaxian delicacies comprise seven types of foodnoodles, wonton, other dumplings, stew with soup, braised food, fried rice and combo meals. Each type may include 10 to 20 different dishes, meaning that a single restaurant can serve more than 100 different products.

According to locals, the basis for Shaxian delicacies is to make the best use of the cooking methods and ingredients.

For example, take bianrou, which translates as "flat meat". Compared with wonton in other areas, the bianrou for Shaxian delicacies has a thinner dough and the meat filling is made from lean pork taken from the hind legs of a pig to provide a chewy taste.

Wonton fillings in other areas are usually made from meat chopped repeatedly, but those for bianrou are made from meat paste, which is beaten with a stick. According to local legend, to make 500 grams of the paste using such a method, it must be beaten more than 1,000 times.

To ensure authentic flavors, the local government set up a training center in Shaxian county, offering courses to domestic and overseas Chinese wanting to start their own businesses. Teachers and students experiment at the center by using cooking methods, including frying and roasting, to cater to local tastes.

A central kitchen has also been built to distribute semifinished products to franchises nationwide.