Xiamen Airlines Adds Intangible Cultural Heritage Cuisine to In-Flight Menu: Hutou Rice Noodles Launch a Journey of Fujian Flavors

Starting from May 16, 2025, Xiamen Airlines has officially introduced Hutou Rice Noodles, a traditional delicacy from Anxi, Fujian Province and an intangible cultural heritage (ICH) item, into its business and first-class in-flight meals. A meticulously prepared dish named Minnan Stir-Fried Rice Noodles will serve as an aerial bridge connecting ICH preservation and cultural dissemination at 35,000 feet, offering global passengers an authentic taste of Fujian cuisine. This innovative move not only represents the latest practice of Xiamen Airlines' "aviation + rural revitalization" model, but also marks a new beginning for Fujian's ICH cuisine to step onto the world stage through the in-flight cabin.

Hutou Rice Noodles, a traditional specialty from Hutou Town in Anxi County, Fujian Province, boasts a history of over 470 years and carries profound historical and cultural significance. It was listed as a national geographical indication product in 2009 and selected into the Quanzhou ICH catalog in 2024. The production of these noodles involves more than ten meticulous manual processes, including soaking rice, grinding it into paste, steaming, pressing, and drying, using high-quality rice and natural mineral water from Wulang Mountain. As early as during the "Shengping Banquet" in the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, the Hutou Rice Noodles presented by the renowned official Li Guangdi amazed everyone with their unique characteristics of being "as white as crystal ice, as thin as clear silk, as chewy as rubber springs, and as delicate as flower fluff," thus gaining widespread fame. Today, under the dedication and innovation of 16 county-level ICH inheritors, Hutou Rice Noodles combine traditional craftsmanship with modern production to preserve their century-old flavor, becoming a classic symbol of Minnan culinary culture.

In recent years, Xiamen Airlines has leveraged its “Xiamen Airlines Grange” brand to integrate Fujian specialties such as Shouning high mountain black tea and Wuyi rock tea into its in-flight services, creating a consumption scenario that directly connects the place of origin with the in-flight experience. The inclusion of Hutou Rice Noodles in the in-flight menu is not only a significant part of Xiamen Airlines' cooperation with the Anxi County People's Government, but also allows more passengers to personally savor the intangible cultural heritage on their taste buds at 35,000 feet, fully experiencing the unique charm of Fujian cuisine.

As early as 2022, Chef XiamenAir collaborated with Fujian cuisine master Wu Rong to launch the "Shoreline meets the ridges" new Fujian cuisine menu. By leveraging Xiamen Airlines' global route network, they brought the unique flavors and culinary culture of Fujian to the world. In addition, the Chef XiamenAir have introduced Fujian specialties such as Fengchui Bing (air-dried pancake), Juhong Cake, and Shaxian cold noodles into the cabin through initiatives like "snack mystery boxes" and "pre-flight meal selection," enriching the multi-dimensional experience of "Fujian flavors" while promoting Fujian cuisine culture. This has helped passengers at home and abroad to more vividly perceive the local culture of Fujian. The addition of Minnan Stir-Fried Rice Noodles adds a deeper layer of cultural dissemination significance to the in-flight meals. As a classic dish that serves as the "finale main course" in Minnan folk banquets, it is a cultural symbol that evokes hometown memories for Fujianese passengers and a gustatory window for other passengers to understand the local culture of Fujian.

With the first serving of Minnan Stir-Fried Rice Noodles taking to the skies, Xiamen Airlines is meticulously connecting the protection of traditional skills, the revitalization of rural industries, and global cultural exchange. It helps passengers from around the world to truly experience and feel the unique culture of Fujian, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of traditional Chinese culture. Moving forward, Xiamen Airlines will continue to explore the development path of "aviation empowerment, industrial synergy, and cultural leadership," promoting more geographically indicative products like Hutou Rice Noodles that combine cultural value with industrial potential to the global stage. It will continue to write a new chapter for intangible cultural heritage cuisine in the skies, allowing more people to appreciate the charm and splendor of China's ICH culture.