Banquet of Man Han Quanxi

Man Han Quanxi	Man Han Quanxi

Man Han Quanxi, the Complete Set Dinner in the Manchu and the Mandarin (or Han) Styles, originated in Qing Dynasty and is the largest Chinese banquet combining the essential delicacies from the Manchu and Han ethnic groups. Yangzhou Shu Fang Lu, wrote by Li Dou in Qianlong times, records the earliest menu of Man Han Quanxi.
The Man Han Quanxi consists of 134 courses of hot dishes, 48 courses of cold dishes, as well as sweets and fruits, all of which are presented in six separate banquets. This smorgasbord utilizes food materials that are rare and superior, including, for instance, the "Eight Mountains Treasures", the "Eight Land Treasures", and the "Eight Sea Treasures".  The 8 Mountainous Treasures consist of bear paws, hedgehog hydnum, Handakan, flying dragons, tiger spleens, elks, ginseng, and Juecai. The 8 Land Treasures consist of Hashimuo, camel humps, Koumo mushrooms, Fengzhaomo mushrooms, Yumizhen corn, Shafengji chickens, and ptarmigans. The 8 Sea Treasures consist of shake fin, cishen, fresh oysters, purple abalone, snake-headed fish eggs, balloons of slated cod croakers, and fish skin.  　　
Undoubtedly, the Complete Set of Dinner in Manchu Nationality and Han Nationality Styles is a high peak in the development of Chinese gastronomy. Furthermore, the integration of such an abundant historical background and national culture in one food perhaps is a unique phenomenon in the world. Where can this banquet be found? Go to Beijing Fangshan Restaurant in Beihai Park. The restaurant is located in a group of ancient buildings in the park. The restaurant was established in 1925, its predecessor was the imperial kitchen of the Qing Dynasty.