皮蛋,这种中国传统佳肴色泽深褐、晶莹剔透,风味独特,被部分西方人称作“百年蛋”或“千年蛋”,长久以来在海外褒贬不一。

图源:TikTok@The Sushi Guy(photogami)

Known to some Westerners as "century eggs" or "thousand-year-old eggs" for their dark, translucent appearance and bold flavor, these traditional Chinese delicacies have long sparked mixed reactions abroad.

中国皮蛋曾一度被外网评为“最令人作呕的食物”,然而,近来却在海外圈粉,美国线下一度卖断货。

Once dubbed one of the world's most disgusting foods, China's preserved eggs are now flying off the shelves at Costco stores across the United States.

据上海日报SHINE、“羊城派”公众号等媒体报道,早在去年末、今年初,中国广东一品牌的松花鸭皮蛋礼盒出现在一些美国超市门店的堆头中。

彼时,这些超市准备的库存计划卖到农历春节(2025年2月28日)。而到了皮蛋礼盒上市当天,小红书上就出现了相关的种草情报帖。在帖子的评论区,不少网友追问采购地址/ZIP Code(美国邮编,可准确定位地区)。

The buzz began on Xiaohongshu, where Chinese shoppers in the US posted photos of the eggs on display. The posts quickly drew a flood of comments asking for store locations and ZIP codes.

图源:小红书

不久,外国网红博主The Sushi Guy(photogami)在YouTube、TikTok等社交平台同步发布了一条关于中国皮蛋的测评视频。同日,美国专业食品媒体Tasting Table也同步发出了关于中国皮蛋的报道,皮蛋的起源、传统制法和吃法。

Then came a viral boost. US food influencer "The Sushi Guy" reviewed the eggs on TikTok and YouTube, drawing more than 660,000 views. Food site Tasting Table followed up with a feature exploring the eggs' cultural roots and distinctive taste.

截至发稿前,The Sushi Guy(photogami)在TikTok发布的测评视频浏览量超过66万,收藏转载量均有上千次。自此,在外网上,不少媒体、博主也纷纷开始发布科普、测评,还有教消费者如何吃皮蛋的文章、视频。

在线下购买皮蛋的消费者,除了华人之外,也可以看到当地人的身影。

在TikTok上,皮蛋还收获了不少“回头客”。他们不少都是初尝“拒绝”,不知不觉就对皮蛋“上瘾”了。

On TikTok, adventurous eaters filmed their reactions: some recoiled at the first bite, then returned for more. "I don't know what I'm doing, but it's weirdly addictive," said vloggers.

然而,受中美关税冲击影响,某品牌松花鸭皮蛋礼盒价格从20枚蛋品13.99美元逐步提升至17.59美元,相比之前上涨了3美元多。但即便价格有所上调,美国部分地区门店上架仅3天,皮蛋就被抢购一空,销量是预计的4-6倍。

"We planned enough stock for three months – some stores ran out in under three days," sales manager of the company behind the product said.

图源:TikTok截图

从圈粉外国萌娃的冰糖葫芦,到“taste nice”的东北盒饭,到“China Travel”旅途中令外国胃连连点赞的天水麻辣烫等等,再到火爆越洋的皮蛋。

近年来,不少中国传统食品圈粉海外,让外国朋友大夸特夸“真香”。外国网友问:中国美食到底还有啥“真香”定律?

中国网友答:区区皮蛋有什么,让你期待的还多呢!

来源:21世纪英文报 上海日报 羊城晚报