Chengdu - Shu Banquet Ode | A Thousand-Year Feast of Poetry, Wine, and Dance

If modern people could dream of traveling back a thousand years, then the immersive ancient-style dinner at "Shu Banquet Ode" would be the most authentic proof. Upon entering, instead of receiving a menu, you are handed a scroll resembling an ancient book, tied with a silk cord, adorned with illustrations of court ladies and palace walls, inscribed with "Deer Call and Harmony, A Feast of a Thousand Years." At that moment, I knew this meal would be more than just tasting food—it would be an enchanting journey through the river of history. 🍽 Before the dishes were served, a ritual called "Pre-Qin Ceremony" set the stage, reminiscent of ancient sacrificial feasts. Delicate appetizers were presented in blue-and-white porcelain bowls, including crispy chilled yam, sweet and sour vinegar lotus root, fragrant roasted nuts, and a vegetable cake as picturesque as a painting, paired with tea soup to awaken the palate. 🥣 Next came "Han Flavor Poetry Ritual," a pot of golden sea cucumber soup simmered to perfection. The soup was rich and velvety, served with a small bowl of white rice garnished with black sesame, like the finishing touch of a masterpiece. This was not just dining—it was a dialogue with history. 🌸 With each dish served, a dance performance graced the stage. Dancers in flowing gowns and deer-antler-like headpieces moved like celestial beings, their choreography intertwined with ancient music, recreating the grandeur of Tang Dynasty night banquets. The alternating rhythm of dance and food created a surreal time-traveling experience, leaving one unsure of the era they were in. 🍤 The dishes continued to impress—crispy fried shrimp balls paired with nuts and lilies, vibrant in color and a perfect balance of sweet and sour; followed by a clear wild mushroom soup, featuring wood ear mushrooms, lotus root, and pork tripe, poetic and nourishing. 📜 The most delightful surprise was the opportunity to rent Hanfu attire for the evening, allowing guests to don flowing ancient garments and truly become part of the banquet. Even the servers were dressed in traditional costumes, like attendants from another era, softly narrating the stories and origins of each dish. 🦌 The feast concluded with "Deer Call," as dancers returned to the stage, draped in light veils and holding jade flutes, seemingly reciting the elegant verses of the Book of Songs. At this moment, the lingering taste on the tongue and the melodious music in the ears merged, leaving an indescribable ancient charm. --- If you yearn for a feast of food, poetry, dance, and wine, "Shu Banquet Ode" will be a dream you won't want to wake from. 📍 Location: Chengdu - Shu Banquet Ode Cultural Immersive Restaurant 👘 Dress Code: Hanfu rental available to enhance the ceremonial and atmospheric experience 📷 Must-have photo props: Scroll menu, ceramic tableware, stage backdrop