A Culinary Journey Along the Ancient Silk Road at Four Seasons Hotel Dalian

On March 14, 2025, Hui Hai all-day dining restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Dalian, in partnership with Unilever, launched the "Silk Road Food Festival," using cuisine as a bridge to revive the cultural exchange and gastronomic legacy of the millennium-old Silk Road. The event features a collaborative menu curated by National Special-Class Chinese Chef Li Shuqi and Hui Hai’s Executive Chef Yang Zhiyong, who blend the culinary essence of more than a dozen Silk Road countries into innovative dishes, offering guests a transcendent feast across time and space.

Silk Road Flavours: Crafting Authentic Global Delicacies

Centred on the theme "Silk Road on the Palate," the festival’s menu spans eight categories - appetizers, soups, mains, grills, noodle stations, and more - showcasing more than 30 signature dishes. From the deserts of Central Asia to the tropical coasts of Southeast Asia, and from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean, each dish combines traditional techniques with modern creativity. Appetizers such as Gobi Sand Onion with Potato Salad and Black Tulip Salad tantalize with refreshing flavours, while mains such as Yemeni-Style Braised Lamb and Sri Lankan Curry Crab showcase rich, aromatic spices. The show-stopping Silk Road Olive-Scented Lamb Chops, flame-grilled tableside, captivates diners with its smoky aroma. Delightful touches such as the Ancient Roman Slow-Roasted Crab Roll (served as a complimentary snack) and the take-home Sea Salt Caramel Cheese Block further elevate the event’s refined ambiance.

Culinary Masters Unite: A Fusion of Heritage and Innovation

Chef Li Shuqi, a veteran of Chinese culinary arts for four decades, joins forces with Chef Yang Zhiyong, renowned for his expertise in global cuisines. Together, they reinterpret Silk Road traditions by merging Chinese techniques with international ingredients. Standouts include Thai-Inspired Red Curry Shrimp with Pineapple (balancing spicy and tangy notes) and Kabul-Style Hand-Pulled Rice, which revives the rustic charm of Afghan cuisine. “We aim to transcend borders through food,” the chefs share, “allowing guests to experience the Silk Road’s spirit of inclusivity in a single meal.”

Immersive Experiences: Where Food Meets Culture

Beyond the menu, live cooking demonstrations at open kitchens - such as the preparation of Golden Soup Pickle Shrimp Tail Rice Noodles - add interactive flair. On opening day, guests recieved a limited-edition souvenir: Mushroom Braised Sauce, extending the Silk Road journey beyond the plate.

The "Silk Road Food Festival" runs through March 23, 2025 at Hui Hai restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel Dalian. Reserve a seat for this cultural and culinary odyssey, where history and modernity converge through the universal language of food. Call +86 (411) 3994 8888 for more details.

About Hui Hai

The all-day dining restaurant serves an international buffet in the mornings. This restaurant transitions to an open international market style buffet restaurant for lunch and dinner service. Guests choose and savour avish culinary offerings where there is something for everyone's taste. Warm and engaging service and the vibrant ingredients give diners the opportunity to experience the joy of international gourmet gathering. The restaurant utilizes the cooking station to create a memorable international dining experience, with specialties including steamed seafood, chili crab, grilled meat, pizza, and a dessert paradise corner.