Filipino Food Debuts in Guangzhou

GUANGZHOU 11 June 2025 - Chi FUN Le!—a playful take on the Chinese phrase for “Let’s Eat!”—officially kicked off at Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou, launching a Filipino Food Festival that runs from June 7 to 15.

Led by visiting Filipino Chef Hernan Chris De Jesus, in collaboration with the hotel’s culinary team, the event offers a flavorful introduction to Filipino cuisine. Guests enjoyed dishes like adobong pusit (squid stewed in vinegar and soy sauce), kilawin na tuna (Filipino-style ceviche), chicken inasal (grilled chicken), beef kaldereta (a tomato-based beef stew with Spanish roots), lumpiang sariwa (fresh spring rolls), leche flan, and a lot more. Each dish was paired with Filipino-inspired cocktails and beverages.

Over 60 guests—including bloggers, media, and cultural partners—joined the launch to sample the curated menu. But this is more than just a tasting event —it’s the first step in introducing Filipino cuisine to Guangzhou in an established hotel setting. Through a survey, guests were asked to help determine which dishes might be added to Shangri-La’s Southeast Asian restaurant or buffet menu.

“This is more than a food event—it’s a cultural bridge,” said Philippine Consul General Iric C. Arribas. “Each dish carries the story of our people. Through food, we share our history, identity, and warm Filipino hospitality.”

Chi FUN Le! is part of a series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China. END

A team effort behind every dish! Consul General Iric Arribas, Chef Hernan De Jesus and the Shangri-La culinary team share the spirit of Filipino hospitality and flavor.

Consul General Iric Arribas and Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office Deputy Director Wu Xiaoling officially open the buffet line, marking the start of a flavorful celebration of Filipino cuisine.

Filipino products proudly displayed during the food festival.

For more information, visit https://www.guangzhoupcg.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinGuangzhou/, https://twitter.com/PHinGuangzhou  or https://www.instagram.com/phinguangzhou/.