Affordable alternatives

Wellness isn't limited to restaurants on high streets or neighborhoods. For fans of traditional street foods, fast food options are evolving, too.

In 2023, domestic fast-food chain Home Original Chicken introduced a weight-control menu that quickly went viral, sparking a craze among young people. The brand also lists calories against its main dishes on food delivery platforms like Eleme.

Xu Lan (pseudonym), a college teacher in Kunming, is a fan of malatang — a dish traditionally featuring fresh vegetables and meat cooked in a spicy, flavorful broth. It's a great spot for her and her friends to sit, chat and catch up with each other from time to time.

"I go for a light broth, swap meatballs for options like basa fish or chicken breast, and add low-calorie, nutrient-dense sides like lotus root, Chinese yam and leafy greens, pretty much the same way I cook at home," said the 42-year-old.

In fact, homemade dishes, like scrambled eggs with tomatoes, can be just as enjoyable when prepared with a lighter touch, said Xiaodou, a 39-year-old employee at a bank in South China's Guangdong province.

She lost 20 kg over seven months by reducing carbs, oil and salt intake and keeping a consistent dinner routine. Rather than following market trends blindly, she has been gradually replacing unhealthy ingredients in her diet with healthier ones. "Some of these replacements are actually more economical," Xiaodou said.

The evolution of light meals in China reflects people's continued pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, and has become a journey of self-discovery for many, said experts. The trend also underscores young people's growing identity with homegrown culture and their confidence in it, they added.

Xinhua