From December 16 to 22, SCMU’s cafeterias are featuring a special window offering dishes with auspicious names symbolizing success in the upcoming postgraduate entrance examination. The menu items creatively incorporate encouraging phrases like “Sailing to Success” “Ready for Victory” “Winning with Excellence” “Plucking the Osmanthus from the Moon Palace” (a traditional metaphor for academic success), and “Soaring with Strength”.

Paper-cut decorations at the special window. Photo by Li Shengyan

“We’ve innovated not only the dish names but also cooking methods and protein-vegetable combinations, offering quality meals at affordable prices. Students need proper nourishment to study effectively.” said Du Kang from the Department of Logistics and Support.

The cafeterias have designed nearly 20 creative dishes, each bearing auspicious names: spicy shrimp represents “Sailing to Success”, stir-fried beef symbolizes “Soaring with Strength”, okra in sauce becomes “Winning with Excellence”, and braised meatballs signify “Great Fortune Arrives”.

Display of specially designed dishes. Photo by Feng Junran

The cafeterias are also specially decorated with encouraging banners reading “Well-Fed, Worry-Free Path to Success” “Through Vast Landscapes and Daily Life, We Accompany Your Journey” and “On Your Long Path, May Our Warm Meals Fill You with Energy for Success”. Student-made paper-cuts adorn the special window, their intricate designs complementing the themed dishes and creating an uplifting dining atmosphere.

Students queuing at the window. Photo by Feng Junran

Students queue orderly at the special window, discussing the creative menu names with enthusiasm. “These meaningful dish names really warm my heart. Though preparing for the exam is challenging, the school’s care and support motivate me even more,” said Fang Wei, a junior pharmacy student.

Chen, serving at the special window, shares her warm sentiments while preparing meals, “I hope our students eat well and face their challenges in top condition. We’re doing our best to provide nutritious, delicious meals so they can feel the warmth of home during their intense study period”.

Students using meal vouchers for special set meals. Photo by Feng Junran

The special window service is available across all self-operated cafeterias on campus. Additionally, the university’s official WeChat account has designed special 20-yuan meal vouchers for the themed meals, adding both blessing and value to students’ dining experience.