On April 15, 2025, the Canton Fair Music & Cusine Festival officially launched its most flavorful chapter yet with the opening of the Canton Cuisine Carnival on the west plaza of the Canton Fair Complex’s Zone D.
Set against the elegant sounds of Cantonese opera and vibrant traditional costumes, the event marked the beginning of a 15-day immersive experience that blends cuisine and culture for global visitors.
Running through May 5, the festival is expected to attract participants from over 200 countries and regions, offering an internationally inspired yet authentically local experience that turns the spotlight on Guangzhou’s culinary reputation as a UNESCO-designated 'City of Gastronomy.'
A Landmark Debut for Culinary Culture at the Canton Fair
For the first time in its 68-year history, the Canton Fair—China’s largest and oldest trade exhibition—has formally introduced a dedicated culinary culture section to its program.
Under the 'Canton Cuisine' brand, the event aims to enhance the Fair’s function beyond trade by integrating exhibition, tourism, and nightlife economies into a multidimensional business experience.
A promotional film titled 'Shi Zai Guangzhou (Eating in Guangzhou)' was screened at the opening, showcasing the city’s rich food culture from dim sum and household classics to time-honored brands and modern culinary innovators.
“‘Shi Zai Guangzhou’ is more than just a saying—it’s part of the city’s cultural DNA,” said Wang Xiaohua, Senior Researcher at Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau.
“With this initiative, the Canton Fair is not just a platform for trade—it becomes a global window into the soul of Guangzhou’s food culture.”
Bringing Together Nearly 40 of Guangzhou’s Best Food Brands
The carnival features nearly 40 renowned food and beverage enterprises, offering a rich mix of traditional Cantonese cuisine, innovative bites, and international flavors.
Participating names include renowned Chinese brands like Dim Dou Duk (点都德), Tao Tao Ju (陶陶居), Hakka Yu (客语), Wen Qifu Restaurant (温祈福餐饮), Imperial Court (潮皇食府), Hsui Yueh Restaurant (琇玥轩), Yelin Seafood Wharf (椰林海鲜码头), King of Kings (皇上皇), Wah Kee Bou Chai Wah (华记煲仔华), Liyin Rice Roll Master (荔银肠粉), WALOVI (王老吉), Pearl River Beer (珠江啤酒), Yue Modern Cantonese Cuisine (跃·yue现代粤菜料理) and contemporary favorites such as Latin Grillhouse (拉丁餐厅), KCOFFEE, Pizzahut, Pika Coffee, Lavazza, and KFC.
Signature dishes such as 松化蛋挞 (crispy egg tart), 叉烧包 (barbecued pork bun), and 干蒸烧卖 (steamed siu mai) from classic Cantonese eateries like Dim Dou Duk (点都德) and Bao Top (包道) delighted both local and international guests.
A visitor from South Africa noted it was his first time trying siu mai—and it was love at first bite.
Huiru Restaurant (惠如楼) brought regional flair with its Aged Tangerine Peel Red Bean Zongzi (陈皮豆沙粽), crafted using premium local ingredients and complex, traditional methods—ideal as a Dragon Boat Festival gift.
Fengxing Dairy (风行) showcased its Xianquan Lake dairy line, made at the only large-scale pasture near Guangzhou city. The milk’s smooth, sweet taste was a hit among international visitors.
Canton Tower Food Group (广州塔餐饮) drew eyes with novelty packaging, offering drinks and ice cream molded after the tower itself, plus beautifully plated Crispy Fruit Puffs.
Da Rong Shu Xia (大榕树下) featured iconic Shunde dishes like Double-Skin Milk and Lunjiao Cake. A visiting guest described the latter’s slight fermentation as “surprisingly delicious.”
Royal Cuisine (御珍轩) captivated with its Braised Pigeon in Master Stock (卤水乳鸽), known for its layered, aromatic flavor and traditional preparation.
Food, Art, and Culture in One Vibrant Space
Beyond the culinary indulgence, the carnival also featured live music performed by Busking Show (毕士倾诉), lion and dragon dances, and intangible cultural heritage showcases.
Master artisan Rao Baolian demonstrated traditional paper-cutting techniques, while interactive stations brought filigree enamel, Chinese knot weaving, and ceremonial tea art to life.
A standout feature was the 'Dining Brands Going Global' forum, which addressed strategies for Chinese culinary enterprises expanding overseas.
Lao Nguon Eng, Commercial Counselor of the Consulate General of Cambodia in Guangzhou, spotlighted Southeast Asia as a prime market for Chinese food brands.
Xie Canwu, co-founder of Taning Lemon Tea (挞柠), shared insights on growing a local tea brand into a global name, emphasizing Guangzhou’s robust supply chains and cultural heritage as key to going global.
Local Economy Meets Global Stage
In partnership with China UnionPay, Meituan, and Douyin, the carnival integrates consumer vouchers, online engagement, and digital convenience to enhance the fairgoers’ experience.
Attendees can access special discounts via UnionPay’s Cloud QuickPass (云闪付), including tiered vouchers offering up to RMB200 in savings on food purchases.
Liu Qun, Deputy General Manager of the event’s organizer, New Mainland Catering (新大地餐饮), shared that the vision behind the event was to provide a comprehensive, rich, and engaging culinary showcase within the Canton Fair itself, helping international visitors understand Guangzhou through its cuisine.
A New Model for Cultural Exchange Through Cuisine
As one of the most innovative additions to the Canton Fair in recent years, the Canton Cuisine Carnival reflects a growing ambition to export not just products, but also culture and lifestyle.
From time-honored dishes to modern flavors, the carnival transforms the trade fair into a platform for international culinary exchange, expanding the global appeal of Cantonese cuisine and Chinese culinary heritage.
“Cantonese cuisine’s future lies not only in tradition, but also in innovation and global outreach,” said Wang Jiezhong, President of the Guangdong Cantonese Cuisine Industry Development Association. “This event deepens the public’s connection to the ‘Shi Zai Guangzhou’ brand, and shows that Cantonese cuisine is ready for the world stage.”
The Canton Cuisine Carnival is more than a food festival—it’s a flavorful gateway to understanding Guangzhou, China, and a new chapter in the story of cultural exchange through taste.
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