Fujian’s “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (佛跳墙),” also known as “Full Jar of Fragrance” or “Blessings and Longevity,” is a famous dish from Fuzhou, belonging to the Min cuisine. Renowned for its complex preparation and rich nutritional value, it is often hailed as “the best soup under heaven.”
The origin of this dish dates back to the Qing Dynasty during the Daoguang Emperor’s reign. A banquet was held by a Fuzhou official to honor the provincial administrator, Zhou Lian. One of the dishes served was called “Blessings and Longevity,” a slow-cooked stew of chicken, duck, lamb shank, pork trotters, ribs, and pigeon eggs. Zhou Lian was so impressed that he asked his chef, Zheng Chunfa, to recreate it at home. Zheng refined the recipe, reducing the meat and incorporating various seafood, making the dish more flavorful and delicate.
Later, Zheng left his post and opened a restaurant in Fuzhou. During a literary gathering, he presented this dish, and a poet, inspired by the aroma, wrote, “The jar opens, and the scent wafts to the neighbors; even the Buddha, upon smelling it, would leap over the wall.” Hence, the dish became known as “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.”
The main ingredients include sea cucumber, abalone, shark fin, fish maw, dried scallops, quail eggs, and a variety of other seafood and meats, along with dried dates, lotus seeds, and other delicacies. The preparation is highly intricate, requiring multiple steps of washing and processing, followed by slow simmering. The dish is cooked over a low flame, allowing the ingredients to fully absorb the rich flavors. Attention to detail is crucial, both in maintaining the correct temperature and ensuring an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
Once ready, the dish is tender, richly fragrant, yet not greasy. Each ingredient retains its unique taste, while harmonizing with the rest, creating a layered flavor profile. When the lid is lifted, a burst of aromatic steam escapes, filling the room with a delightful fragrance. The broth is thick, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious.
As a signature dish of Fuzhou, “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” has gained international fame, winning numerous awards in culinary competitions, such as the Gold Tripod Award from the Ministry of Commerce in 1990, and recognition as a “Famous Banquet of China” in 2002 at the 12th National Culinary Festival.
