#chaoshan

滴水兽 “drip beasts” are a part of the traditional Minnan architecture in southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong provinces. They were originally rain leaks used to replace the rainwater drainage system. The beasts are carved as animals, Chinese mythological creatures, and plants/flowers.

Meanings: goldfish represents surplus every year, qilin represents delivering children, mandarin ducks represent happiness, tigers represent bravery and fearlessness, elephants represent renewal of all things, and various plants and flowers also carry different meanings.

China’s Chaoshan cuisine is the focus in the first season of Netflix’s Flavorful Origins

Flavorful Origins, a culinary documentary series focused on Chinese cuisine in China, arrived on the streaming service in February...It is another creation from director Chen Xiaoqing, and if you have seen his previous highly acclaimed food docuseries A Bite of China, you would know the mouthwatering experience to come with this new one.

The first season shines a spotlight on the cuisine of Chaoshan, a region in eastern Guangdong, in the Southeast side of China. Many of us in Singapore might know Chaoshan cuisine better as Teochew cuisine.

As a documentary series, Flavorful Origins is a refreshing break from Netflix’s usual celebrity chef-based cooking shows, such as Chef’s Table. In Flavorful Origins, the focus is not on chefs, but dishes, ingredients and the community that cultivates the food from farm to table. Each of the 20 episodes this season is a bite-sized average of 12 minutes long, centered on one ingredient or dish from Chaoshan cuisine. The ingredients and dishes have a place in the region’s tradition, but they are also popular today. Singaporeans would find many of them very familiar, and perhaps even spark cravings!

The series also have subsequent seasons focused on Gansu and Yunnan cuisines but I don’t think they have been picked up by Netflix.

Local architecture in the Chaoshan region, Guangdong province, China.🪴🌴

Local tiles in Chaoshan:

Teochew-style Traditional Houses 潮汕老式民居, Chaoshan Region, Guangdong Province

Traditional Chaoshan houses are characterized by a strong culture of clan-based living, axial symmetry, and inward-facing courtyard layouts that provide light, ventilation, and shared social space. One of their most distinctive features is their rich decorative tradition. Facades and courtyards are adorned with ceramic tile paintings, inlaid porcelain, wood and stone carvings, and plaster reliefs.

The imagery commonly depicts auspicious symbols, classical tales, landscapes, and legendary figures—using architecture as a form of storytelling.