In this video, I explore the markets of Zhanjiang, the southernmost city of mainland China, and experience its vibrant New Year parade. The highlight is an exclusive look at a grand Cantonese village feast, held once a year. Zhanjiang is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong Province and a peninsula, is famous for its fresh seafood. By late February, Lunar New Year fades elsewhere in China, but here, the celebrations continue. Villages take turns hosting massive banquets, each with its own set date. This feast, hosted by a wealthy family, features 40 tables and 500 guests. A team of professional chefs works 10 hours non-stop to prepare premium Cantonese seafood dishes like braised abalone, steamed shrimp, fish maw in sauce, grouper, squid, mackerel fish balls, and crab. The large-scale cooking process is intense, fast-paced, and truly spectacular.
Join me for an inside look at this extravagant Guangdong village banquet!
00:00 Video Overview
01:56 Market Exploration
07:53 Lunar New Year Parade
09:18 Banquet Dish Preparation
10:05 Cooking Crab
17:09 Cooking Fish Maw
23:32 Cooking Cantonese Fried Chicken
31:24 Steaming Grouper, Abalone, and Shrimp
32:06 Stir-Frying Vermicelli
42:33 Banquet Time