Sea urchin culinary competition crowns champion dishes

A sea urchin culinary competition concluded on June 3 in Nan’ao, Dapeng, showcasing the region’s signature sea urchin delicacies and culinary innovation.

The event brought together local restaurants and chefs, who competed with a total of 32 creative dishes centered on Nan’ao sea urchins, one of the area’s most renowned seafood specialties. Through both traditional and contemporary cooking techniques, ranging from classic Chinese preparations to innovative East-meets-West creations, participants highlighted the ingredient’s distinctive sweetness and rich texture.

Entries were evaluated by a panel of professional judges and citizen reviewers based on ingredient selection, cooking techniques, creativity, flavor, presentation, and overall dining experience.

After comprehensive evaluation, the top honor was awarded to a Tom Yum-inspired sea urchin fried rice dish. The winning dish combined the signature flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine with the delicate taste of sea urchin, earning recognition for its creativity, balance, and culinary craftsmanship.

Photos by Liu Xudong