Dongying, a city in East China's Shandong province, has launched a "Lotus Feast" in response to a recent culinary contest organized by the province.

The Lotus Feast is a vibrant culinary experience featuring over 20 dishes and drinks made using a range of techniques — from stir-frying to steaming. It's where local flavors, skilled craftsmanship, and lotus culture come together in every bite.

The meal begins with a refreshing pink drink, delicately fermented to carry a soft lotus aroma and paired with four lotus-themed desserts crafted to resemble lotus roots and petals. Cold starters like pickled lotus stems and a lotus seed with potato and caviar are arranged to mimic blooming lotus flowers — light, flavorful, and subtly fragrant, setting the perfect tone for the feast.

One standout dish features a small winter melon used as a vessel, steamed until tender and filled with premium ingredients like sea cucumber, fish maw, and abalone. The slow-simmered broth is rich and layered, with fresh lotus seeds absorbing the gentle floral notes.

Another highlight is a soup made with finely minced chicken, colored naturally with spinach juice, and shaped to resemble a lotus pod with green peas nestled inside. Floating alongside lotus seeds in a clear, fragrant broth, it's a dish that delights both the eyes and the palate.

"The idea behind the Lotus Feast was to reflect the season by bringing the beauty and richness of the lotus into everyday cuisine. We look forward to more people coming to Dongying to enjoy these special flavors," said a culinary advisor from a local restaurant.

One dish in the Lotus Feast pairs lotus flowers with the rich flavors of Yellow River estuary hairy crab. [Photo/WeChat account: wenlvdongying]