The past and present lives of eight cities

The Eighth Seafood Market is preceded by "Eighth". It can be known that it was not the largest one when it was established. From the first to seventh markets, some have long disappeared in the torrent of history, and some have long since lost their scale. Only the eight cities have become famous in recent years. It actually includes Xiamen's Kaihe Vegetable Market and Xiamen Yingping Vegetable Market. According to the older generation of Xiamen people, this market was first formed in the 1920s and 1930s and has a history of nearly a hundred years. In fact, strictly speaking, it is actually a collective name for the two markets. It consists of Yingping Farmers 'Market in the inner city and Kaihe Market in the outer city. The Kaihe Market part of Waishi was created later. The history of Waishi is only about ten years. In the eyes of outsiders, eight cities are eight cities. However, in the eight cities, Yingping Market and Kaihe Market do not interact with each other or even despise each other. Of course, for buyers, they can buy wherever the goods are good. Eight cities have been criticized for a while for inaccurate claims. In the past two years, market supervision has been stepped up and multiple fairness scales have been set up in the market. This phenomenon has been curbed and buyers can shop more happily.

There are many entrances to the eight cities, the most important one is the Kaihe Road Crossing on Xiahe Road, and the entrance is Kaiyuan Road Hengzhu Road, which is close to the ferry bus station. As for the branch alleys, tourists are basically unable to find them. Locals will take alleys and cut corners. And you will find that there are still some treasure shops hidden in these alleys on the edge of Bashi. You can buy all kinds of grain, oil, rice and noodles here. Many locals will have sellers they like, no matter how far they move, they have to come and buy some every once in a while.

Seafood from eight cities

This vegetable market located near the first ferry terminal has always been a seafood warehouse for Xiamen people. If you want to eat seafood, you will definitely come here to buy them, and they are the freshest. If you catch them as soon as possible, you will be placed on the ground directly. The freshly fished fish are immediately sent here. Whether it is big fish caught by large fishing boats or small fish and shrimp caught by small fishermen's own small sampans, in short, here, as long as the season is right, you can find whatever seafood you want to eat here. Everything from king crab lobsters to small fish and shrimp.

In recent years, seafood vendors in the eight cities have gradually transformed. In addition to retail and wholesale, they have also added processing links, making it more convenient for tourists to taste and some locals who are too lazy to cook will also come here to have a seafood feast.

As we said before, the eight cities are actually two parts: outer cities and inner cities. At present, the seafood processing concentrated area is this short outer city. It runs directly from Kaihe Road Crossing to Kaiyuan Road, with dozens of cities along the way. The most conspicuous one that locals love to come to is the first one to enter at Kaihe Crossing,"Taste Seafood". The location was easy to find, and the boss was very down-to-earth. He promised that if the seafood was not fresh, he would lose 10 to 10.

There is a seafood pool at the door. All kinds of fresh seafood are now picked and killed, and there is enough money to make it. The 28-year-old store has many local repeat customers, and it has even appeared on Xiamen TV.

The method can be adjusted according to personal taste. Steaming to restore the original flavor of seafood, salt and pepper are crispy and delicious, and braising spicy and delicious.

Steamed Boston lobster, and the fans underneath are not to be missed. They absorb the delicious flavor of the lobster and are refreshing, and the lobster meat is firm.

The salt-pepper shrimp is crispy, fragrant and delicious. It is really of high quality that the shrimp can still be so fat at this time of year!

The environment in the store is also relatively good, and it is the first one at Kaihe Crossing. It is convenient, delicious and affordable.

Snacks from eight cities

There are also many delicacies hidden in the eight cities, including Ajie Five-spice, Lao Guo's hand-shredded chicken, Zhong Lijun's full fried cake, etc. Although there are no amazing dishes, they are the favorite snacks of Xiamen people. After shopping, buy some food and go home, and it will be a sumptuous lunch and dinner. Moreover, most of these old shops are at least 20 to 30 years old. With the spread of the Internet over the years, more and more tourists have come to eat. But fortunately, most of these stores still maintain their original standards.

Lao Guo's hand-shredded chicken is the first seafood restaurant at Kaihe Road in eight cities. It has a history of more than 60 years and originated from Zhangzhou. It can be said to be the best hand-shredded chicken restaurant in eight cities. In addition to chicken, there are also various side dishes, such as pig tongues, chicken feet, etc. Every time I come to Bashi, I buy one to pack it home with wine. I can eat it directly or bite it in the microwave before eating it.

It is recommended that coriander must be added, and their sesame oil is also very fragrant. It is said that he bought good sesame seeds and stir-fried them himself to find someone else to squeeze them.

Half a chicken is a big portion, and their chicken is shredded finely and tastes better after mixing.

Ajie Spiced, which Nicholas Tse visited, should be the most popular restaurant in the eight cities. Freshly wrapped and fried, and what can be seen is genuine. Locals usually buy raw ones and fry them, or can't help but buy a fried one and eat them while walking.

Huiyuan Bakery, which carries the memories of many Xiamen people, is also hidden in eight cities and has a history of more than 25 years. When I was a child, there was no Andreusen or Xiangyangfang, and there were not so many colorful desserts and pastries. The fried bread was the greatest delicacy. Adhere to low prices, do not rely on packaging, and what you eat is real.

Zhong Lijun pan-fried cakes, which are sweet and delicious, and are memories of her childhood.

The rice cakes and steamed cakes that Xiamen people buy for sacrifices during New Year and festivals can also be purchased in eight cities. There are also spring roll skins, bamboo shoots jelly, jerky meat, etc. Locals often have their own recognized stalls to buy back.

Cultural heritage of the eight cities

You think Bashi is just an ordinary market, but in fact there is still a century-old Christian church hidden here. Entering from this side of Kaihe Crossing, about 10 meters, you can see-Christian Bamboo Tree Hall. It was built in 1849 and was completed the following year and officially opened for worship. It has a history of 170 years. Earlier than the opening time of the eight markets. Zhushutang is also a church with a long history in China. The existing building is the third church. It was renovated in 1935 and its architectural style is close to Gothic. The structure of the church is a compromise on advanced Western structural materials and melted into the southern Fujian architectural style: its roof structure does not use the pointed arch buttress technology of traditional Western churches, but uses wooden triangular dysprosium. In the narrow streets of Bashi, you need to look up to see her true colors.

The five-story building at the entrance on the other side of Bashi City is a museum of old objects in old Xiamen, where you can see familiar tiles, old phonograph machines and other old objects. Walking into this mottled building is like going back in time. Enjoy a cup of tea in the tea room, overlook the panoramic view of the eight cities from the roof, and you can also buy Ajizai, the favorite gift of old Xiamen people.

Those episodes in eight cities

You know what? In eight cities, you can not only buy seafood ponds, vegetables and meat, but also buy flowers and sweets. There are several flower stalls near Kaihe Road Crossing, where you can buy beautiful flowers such as beautiful Phalaenopsis. Whenever festivals such as the Spring Festival come, you can also buy red lanterns and other festive pendants in eight cities.

Even the Zhangbei Clinic, which Xiamen people are familiar with, is hidden in Bashi. It is the right place to come to "Beizai Zhang" for bruises and neuralgia.

This area is also the most primitive old arcade preserved in Xiamen. The mottled walls and scattered and crossed wires have not changed for decades.

Xiamen's eight cities are a place full of fireworks. Xiamen's old market with a history of nearly a century has gone from the eighth place in its name to the first place in popularity, with star tourists coming to check in. When you come to Xiamen, you might as well come here to experience the Xiamen flavor of this market life.