Taizhou seeks UNESCO recognition for its food culture

Braised silver pomfret with rice cakes, a classic local dish of Taizhou. [Photo/Tide News]

Taizhou in East China's Zhejiang province is seeking designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, drawing on its culinary heritage to promote better livelihoods, environmental protection and international exchange through food.

The city's food industry generated 141.68 billion yuan ($21.27 billion) in output value in 2025, accounting for more than 10 percent of its GDP and supporting about 430,000 jobs. It has 63,600 catering businesses and 245 items of food-related intangible cultural heritage.

Food-derived revenue also supports local livelihoods. Taizhou has 704 food-related common-prosperity workshops, providing jobs for more than 20,000 people. Its 1,459 urban and rural meal sites for older residents serve more than 9 million meals annually.

Taizhou is bringing its culinary culture to international audiences. Its 33 overseas Hehe culture stations, which promote a local tradition that values harmony and inclusiveness, have hosted more than 800 food-related cultural exchange activities. Taizhou cuisine has also been featured at international events, including a New Year reception at UNESCO headquarters. Meanwhile, crab-farming techniques from Sanmen county have been shared with Malaysia and Mozambique.