From a home-style dish to a global favorite, Linyi's well-loved stir-fried chicken took the spotlight at the 5th RCEP (Shandong) Import Expo. During the three-day event held in Linyi, East China's Shandong province from April 20 to 22, the dish's bold, sauce-infused flavor attracted thousands of buyers and visitors from around the world.

Known as one of the "Top 10 famous foods of Linyi", this signature dish is made with free-range grass-fed chickens from the nearby Yimeng Mountains. It is prepared through a careful process of high-heat wok stir-frying followed by slow-braising, resulting in a rich, savory sauce and tender meat.

Behind this famous dish is a thriving industry. Linyi is home to over 12,000 stir-fried chicken restaurants. The annual sales volume exceeds 180 million chickens, generating an industry value of over 15 billion yuan ($2.19 billion).

The dish's appearance at the RCEP expo highlights its journey from a local home-style favorite to a global culinary ambassador. It is being showcased alongside other Shandong specialties like pancakes, Lanling wine, and dried spicy shredded pork, offering international guests a taste of Linyi's vibrant food culture and hospitality.

Linyi fried chicken exudes an enticing color. [Photo/WeChat account: linyituanshiwei]

International buyers scan the menu of Linyi food at the 5th RCEP (Shandong) Import Expo. [Photo/WeChat account: linyituanshiwei]