Taizhou in East China's Zhejiang province has set its sights on becoming a renowned gastronomic destination with the rise of Taizhou cuisine, which can be found in both local and international fine dining establishments.

One restaurant that epitomizes the growing popularity of Taizhou cuisine is Xin Rong Ji.

Founded in October 1995 in Linhai, a county-level city in Taizhou, this renowned Chinese restaurant chain has expanded to several dozen outlets across China. It has received prestigious accolades, including a three-Michelin-star branch in Beijing and a two-star branch in Shanghai. Signature dishes at Xin Rong Ji include the delicious braised sea anemone with sweet potato noodles and the crispy fried silver ribbon fish.

Beyond Xin Rong Ji, other prominent dining establishments such as Shun Ji and Tai Xiang Yuan have also made their mark in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. In fact, there are over 1,300 Taizhou-based restaurants operating in Shanghai alone, with a Taizhou restaurant every four kilometers, adorning the city's streets and alleys.

Seizing the moment, Taizhou unveiled an ambitious plan in April to transform itself into a globally recognized gastronomic hub. By 2025, the city aims to establish more than 10 gastronomic zones that showcase Taizhou dishes.

In support of this vision, Taizhou took a significant step by inaugurating the Xin Rong Ji College, a culinary institution affiliated with the Taizhou Vocational & Technical College.

Taizhou cuisine is renowned for its delectable seafood dishes and mouthwatering street snacks. The essence of this cuisine lies in its high-quality ingredients, sourced meticulously by Taizhou residents.