The traditional snacks of Ningbo, Zhejiang province, have been reimagined as charming food-themed plush toys, capturing the hearts of locals and visitors alike.

In the lead-up to Chinese New Year, a local department store launched a collection of plush toys inspired by Ningbo's iconic delicacies. These include ning gaogao, modeled after the city's famous fried rice cake, yuan bao, based on tangyuan, or glutinous rice dumplings, and "Boss Crab", inspired by Ningbo's popular seafood. Over 2,000 toys have been distributed, drawing enthusiastic crowds eager to embrace this unique blend of tradition and creativity.

What sets these plush toys apart is the experience offered by the staff. Each toy is "cooked" before being handed to customers, with staff playfully acting as chefs performing steps like "frying" ning gaogao with lard or "preparing" yuan bao. This playful process has delighted customers, many of whom have shared videos online.

"These snacks are not just delicious; they're symbols of Ningbo's culture and memories," said Chen Yuankai, the project leader behind the plush toy initiative. He added that Ningbo's culinary traditions are increasingly popular among tourists, inspiring the team to create these toys to deepen cultural appreciation and provide a unique shopping experience.

The collection also features personality-driven designs. Ning gaogao that can "hold" fried egg, lettuce, and crispy youtiao, embodies a carefree and cheerful vibe. Meanwhile, the yuan bao family includes whimsical characters like "Little White", a sesame-filled dumpling, and "Little Orange", a sweet osmanthus-flavored one.

"They're so cute and reflect Ningbo's culture perfectly," said a customer who plans to gift the toys to friends outside the city.

The initiative has also sparked widespread engagement, with the toy's names chosen through public submissions and votes.

The excitement continues as a plush toy inspired by the Fenghua roasted taro will debut on Jan 18, with another round of public naming contests to follow.

The staff hands "cooked"-themed toys to customers. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]