# Liu Xinwu · Wisteria Flower Pastry

Author: Liu Xinwu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Poetess Chicken is a dish I discovered in a small restaurant in the countryside. After tasting it, I was very satisfied. This dish embodies the essence of spiciness, with a numbing and stimulating texture, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Its unique aroma captivates the senses, leaving the mouth and throat in a state of blissful indulgence. The stomach and intestines sing in delight, and the spirit feels lifted to heavenly heights. Later, I took many friends and family from the city to this small eatery to try the dish, even suggesting the restaurant name it after this signature dish. In recent years, many of my writings have been inspired by food, snacks, fruits, and desserts. At first, it was an unconscious state, but gradually, I became more aware of it. I’ve noticed that in global literary, there’s a growing trend of food-themed literature, such as Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential, which has had a significant impact. Our local Sanlian Bookstore has also published an English translation. In Taiwan, the Er Yu Cultural Enterprise has launched a "Food Literature Series." After my collection of essays, Wisteria Flower Cookies, was published in 2002, they followed up with my novella, Poetess Chicken, in 2004. As a food lover, I’ve come to realize that our lives are truly intertwined with the daily necessity of eating and drinking. After satisfying basic needs for hunger and warmth, our pursuit of beauty, emotional expression, self- and others’ comfort, and hopes for the present and future are increasingly reflected in our refined dining experiences. Poetess Chicken is a novel that marks a conscious entry into food writing—a significant achievement worth remembering. Food lovers deserve food literature, and within it, we reveal the truths of human life, depict the vibrant scenes of the world, and weave the myriad flavors of life and the complexities of society into a feast. Who says it’s just a collection of recipes or a chaotic display of words? It’s truly a unique experience—first catching your eye, then seeping into your heart, revealing sweetness and bitterness in humor, and uncovering truth amidst chaos.
Perhaps some people think food literature is unrefined and even believe it’s a way to evade social responsibility or embrace a carefree attitude. I’d advise them to read it first before passing judgment. Have you ever tried Poetess Chicken? Most people enjoy it. Now, I firmly believe: beauty enters through the mouth, emotions express through the mouth, and great meaning lies in food. To sift, digest, and elevate—such writing meets the times and carries the way forward. We must strive and persevere! Poetess Chicken is quite lengthy, and it was included in my self-selected collection, Liu Xinwu’s Selected Works, published in 2006, as part of the "Laborer Trilogy." This collection, Wisteria Flower Cookies, is a collection of essays and about food. Even if you haven’t tried Poetess Chicken, you might enjoy Wisteria Flower Cookies. My traditional Chinese version for Taiwanese readers received praise across the strait, with coverage and reviews in media like The China Times. "Wisteria Flower Cookies" has a lighter flavor and smaller portions, making it more suitable for busy individuals in a fast-paced lifestyle as a "snack." This simplified Chinese version for mainland readers retains all the content of the Taiwanese edition but includes a new section, Mountains Full of Flowers and Fruits, with newly written essays since 2002. The writing style remains the same—not a guide to finding flavors, but using food to showcase the times, lament the human condition, and explore the depths of humanity. Chinese cuisine is renowned worldwide, and its beauty in language and expression is unparalleled. When the light of culinary art and literary brilliance converge, it shines across the globe. Liu Xinwu’s food essays are the latest and finest testament to this. His works are deeply rooted in the countryside, from the Cultural Revolution and impoverished regions to the world of "gourmet." He writes about the ordinary food in everyday life, revealing the emotions and flavors within, where the essence of humanity shines through.