Food for thought

"People in different cities all like eating malatang (skewered meat, vegetables and tofu products boiled in spicy broth and cooked in a fiery sauce) as a nighttime snack," he says.

Shu agrees: "No matter which tourist spot around the country you go to, there are always foods like barbecued squid or Taiwan sausage. It's like all the ancient towns in China now have a similar look."

This is because strong-flavored dishes can be easily replicated everywhere, Chuang says.

Some major sauce makers also sponsor cookery schools and encourage trainers to use their condiments.

"Which means, as all the flavors are simplified, our tongues generally lose the sensitivity to different tastes. We are seeing the same kind of things and eating the same kind of food, which can make our thoughts simple in the long run," Leung says.

These days, many people like to go to popular restaurants and post photos on social media.

"Enjoying the food is not as important to them as taking photos and posting them online," Leung says.

Shu continues, "People say that it is a time when people are given diverse choices, but I don't see that."

People tend to go to the same places for food or sightseeing when they visit a city. Otherwise, they may feel they've missed out, she adds.

"That's why we emphasize sensitivity and diversity with our events," Leung says.