Dahua Yao autonomous county in Hechi held its second version of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ethnic medicine, and medicinal diet competition from Nov 24 to 25, attracting famous chefs and food enthusiasts from the cities of Guilin and Baise as well as 11 districts and counties in Hechi.

A total of 38 teams participated in the competition, presenting 152 unique medicinal dishes. All the teams focused on medicinal diet preparation using traditional cooking methods like frying, stir-frying, deep-frying, simmering, and steaming. They created various dishes, including hot dishes, cold salads, soups, and optional dishes that healthily integrated dietary ingredients.

During the competition, each team presented their medicinal diet dishes and explained their names, ingredients, effects, design themes, health concepts, and target audience. The judges evaluated each dish in terms of color, aroma, taste, presentation, and significance.

Hechi is known for its rich herbal medicinal resources, with 2,879 varieties of medicinal plants. It is currently the largest herbal medicinal resource center in Guangxi.

According to Xie Junli, director of the Hechi municipal health commission, the medicinal diet competition serves as a platform to promote the exchange of TCM culture. Hechi will continue to explore the development of TCM and ethnic medicine industries, enhancing public awareness of the medicinal diet therapy.

Various medicinal diet dishes presented at the 2nd TCM and ethnic medicine medicinal diet competition. [Photo/Hechi Daily]