food

For Cheap Meals, China’s Grown-Ups Take a Seat at the Kids Table

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

To escape the monotony of takeaway food and eat healthily, busy adults are turning to neighborhood after-school centers.

Li Xin

Dining Cars: How an On-Board Snack Became a Guangdong Legend

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

They weren’t fancy. They weren’t even Cantonese. But for generations of Guangzhou-Kowloon through train riders, the fresh chicken legs served on board made the whole trip worth it.

Cao Yu

An Industrial Town Is Now China’s Hottest Barbecue Spot

The city of Zibo has received a record number of visitors, putting it at the center of a social media frenzy.

China Puts Banquet Food Waste in the Spotlight 

Clients should be able to choose the combination of dishes served at their banquets, according to a new draft notice.

Ye Zhanhang

Gansu Plans to Standardize Lanzhou Beef Noodles 

Local authorities seek to bring conformity and raise the profile of the province’s signature dish.

Eating Disorder Awareness Campaign Gains Momentum in China

Many young Chinese have never heard of eating disorders, and this lack of awareness makes the conditions even more dangerous. But a grassroots campaign is starting to put the issue on the public agenda.

Fan Yiying

Tired of Cafeterias, Students Go for Lunch at Construction Sites

School cafeterias have often been called out for substandard and drab meals.

Yang Caini

As International Competition Mounts, Can China’s Wineries Survive?

Since 2016, reduced tariffs on imported wines have taken a bite out of domestic producers’ market.

Xiao Kunbing

The Breakfast Ties That Bind

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Wenzhou sticky rice, a staple morning meal from the southern city known for its entrepreneurship, is the glue that holds a global diaspora together.

The World of Chinese

‘Lazy Economy’ Is Taking Off in China

Convenience-driven consumption is gaining popularity among young Chinese not wanting to spend time cooking and cleaning.

Can China’s ‘All-Natural’ Mushrooms Make the Grade?

Climate change, environmental degradation, and over-harvesting have devastated mushroom resources in Southwest China. One solution is sustainable cultivation, but winning over consumers isn’t easy.

Li Ruijun

‘Consumption Downgrade’: Buffets in China Enjoy a Revival 

Diners are ready for all-you-can-eat deals as they seek more for their money.

Luo Meihan

In Southwest China, Truffles Smell a Lot Like Money

A complex network of intermediaries has helped turn the fungus from afterthought into a sought-after luxury good.

Soy Sauce ‘Double Standards’ Stir Massive Controversy in China

A controversy over food additives has generated billions of views on Chinese social media — and thrust an unsuspecting condiment maker into the spotlight.

Is Time Running Out for China’s Betel Nut Industry?

Addictive and carcinogenic, betel nuts have nevertheless managed to stay under the radar of Chinese regulators. That may be changing.

Cracking the Betel Nut Mystery

It used to be the most widely available and used addictive substance in the world. So how come it never caught on outside of Asia?

Restaurants to Livestream From Kitchens to Ensure Food Safety 

The move aims to make food preparation more transparent amid growing complaints from consumers.

NFT Mooncakes Are Hot Off the Shelf This Mid-Autumn Festival

Chinese companies are capitalizing on the NFT fever, while experts warn about regulatory risks.

China’s Summer Heat Wave Is Making Hairy Crabs Costlier This Fall

Farmers say the intense temperatures have killed crabs, cutting their supply and affecting business.

Want to Beat the Heat? Try These Century-Old Recipes.

Before air conditioning and refrigeration were widespread, the only break from an oppressive heat wave might have been a refreshing — but not too cold — herbal tea.