Residents of Xinshi subdistrict teach international students from Zhejiang Normal University how to make Jinhua specialties. [Photo/Jinhua Media Group]

An international culinary exchange activity was held on May 9 in Xinshi subdistrict, Jinhua, Zhejiang province, where residents and international students from Zhejiang Normal University gathered to share food and stories, transcending cultural barriers and fostering community bonds.

The event featured bilingual hosts and volunteer translators, ensuring seamless communication and immersive interaction among participants from diverse backgrounds.

Residents introduced traditional Jinhua delicacies, sharing the cultural significance behind each dish, including radish pork balls, Tangxi salty tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), and red-stamped buns. These dishes, rich in tradition, offered a glimpse into Jinhua's cultural tapestry.

Students reciprocated by introducing their culinary traditions, such as Nigeria's puff-puff (fried dough) and Cameroon's classic rice with fried beans.

The cooking session allowed participants to engage with each other's culinary practices. Paired together, residents demonstrated traditional techniques for making radish pork balls and Tangxi salty tangyuan while the students eagerly learned and then cooked their traditional dishes.

The event concluded with a banquet featuring their prepared dishes and other Jinhua specialties. Seated together, attendees exchanged stories about food customs and local life, forging friendships and mutual understanding in a warm, convivial atmosphere.