In the coastal city of Xiamen, where the sea breeze mingles with the aroma of street food and the pace of life moves at a gentle rhythm, few dishes are as beloved – or as deeply woven into the fabric of daily life – as peanut soup. Known locally as huāshēng tāng (花生汤), this sweet, silky, and nourishing soup is to Xiamen locals what soy milk is to Shanghainese: a near-daily ritual, a taste of home, and a comfort that transcends generations.
A Bowl of History, a Taste of Home
Peanut soup traces its origins to Quanzhou, a historic city in southern Fujian known as the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. Over time, the dish spread throughout the Fujian southern region, becoming a beloved staple in Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and beyond. In Xiamen, however, one name has become synonymous with peanut soup: Huang Zehe (黄则和).
The story of Huang Zehe Peanut Soup begins in 1945, in the years following the end of the Second World War. Huang Zehe, a native of Quanzhou who had migrated to Xiamen, began his entrepreneurial journey with a simple shoulder pole. He walked the streets of Xiamen – particularly around the docks of Lujiang Road and the entrance of Zhongshan Road – selling his homemade peanut soup to port workers, travellers, and passersby. His soup was different: creamy yet not clumpy, sweet yet not cloying, with peanuts that remained intact yet melted at the slightest touch. Word spread quickly, and Huang Zehe Peanut Soup became a local legend.
In 1950, Huang moved his operation from a street stall to a proper shop at 22 Zhongshan Road, where the brand has remained ever since. Today, Huang Zehe Peanut Soup is a certified “China Time-Honoured Brand”.
The Art of the Perfect Bowl
At first glance, peanut soup seems deceptively simple. The ingredients are few: peanuts, water, and sugar. But as any Xiamen local will tell you, the magic lies in the method.
The process begins with selecting high-quality peanuts – plump, unblemished, and full of flavour. The peanuts are first soaked in hot water to loosen their skins, then carefully peeled by hand. The peeled peanuts are placed in a clay pot or pressure cooker with water and simmered over a low flame for hours. The key is to achieve a texture where the peanuts remain whole and intact in appearance, yet become so soft they practically melt at the slightest pressure. Sugar is added only towards the end of the cooking process – never at the beginning – to ensure the peanuts soften properly. The final product is a soup that is pale brown in colour, slightly thickened, and fragrant with the natural sweetness of peanuts.
In summer, the soup is often served chilled, offering a refreshing respite from the heat. In winter, it is served piping hot, warming the body from the inside out.
More Than Just a Snack: A Symbol of Good Fortune
In southern Fujian, peanut soup is more than just a sweet treat – it is a cultural symbol deeply embedded in the region’s traditions. The peanut, with its plump, full kernels, represents completeness, abundance, and good fortune. In Minnan (Fujian South) weddings, birthdays, and festive banquets, peanut soup is served as the “closing sweet soup” (压桌甜汤), a final course that symbolises a sweet and completeness conclusion to the meal. In Minnan banquet tradition, the first and last courses are always sweet – a custom known as “head and tail sweetness” (头尾甜) – and peanut soup is the most common choice for the closing course. It embodies the hope for a life that is sweet, completeness, and prosperous.
How to Enjoy It
Peanut soup is typically enjoyed as a breakfast or afternoon snack. It can be served on its own or accompanied by a variety of traditional Minnan snacks, such as you tiao (fried dough sticks), fried dates (炸枣), meat buns, or sweet buns. The contrast between the creamy, sweet soup and the crispy, savoury sides creates a perfect balance of flavours and textures.
At Huang Zehe’s shop on Zhongshan Road, you can also order a variation with a soft-boiled egg stirred into the hot soup – a local favourite that adds richness and depth.
A Taste That Has Won Hearts
The quality of Huang Zehe Peanut Soup has been recognised far beyond Xiamen. In 1986, it received the gold award in the Fujian Provincial Snack Competition. The famous Chinese economist Yu Guangyuan (于光远) visited Xiamen twice – once in the early years of the People’s Republic and again in later years – and made a point of visiting Huang Zehe each time. He praised the soup highly, calling it a true delight.
Where to Find It
If you’re visiting Xiamen, the most iconic place to try peanut soup is the original Huang Zehe Peanut Soup shop at 22-24 Zhongshan Road, in the heart of the city. Open since 1950, this humble counter-service diner has been serving generations of locals and visitors alike. The shop offers over twenty varieties of peanut-based snacks and beverages, all at affordable prices.
For a more local experience, you’ll also find peanut soup at street stalls and small eateries throughout Xiamen – each with its own subtle variation on the classic recipe.
A Bowl of Xiamen’s Soul
Peanut soup may look simple, but it carries the weight of generations – of a street vendor who turned a humble recipe into a legacy, of Minnan families who have served it at weddings and celebrations for centuries, and of a city that has embraced this sweet, silky soup as its own. Whether you’re starting your day with a steaming bowl on a cool winter morning or cooling down with a chilled version on a hot summer afternoon, peanut soup offers a taste of Xiamen’s soul – sweet, comforting, and unforgettable.
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