Strolling around Wuyuan Bay
The air is filled with not just the flavors of southern Fujian
But also a gentle breeze from the Mediterranean
That’s the smell from Genoa
As the aroma of melted cheese rises from a blazing oven
It quietly tickles your nose
This is the “hometown taste”
that Graziano has cooked up for this city
Let’s follow this wisp of
Genoese aroma
to embark on the fourth installment of the series “Foreigners in Huli Feel at Home”
A wondrous culinary journey
Let’s set off right now
In 2013
Graziano arrived in Xiamen as the executive chef of the Sheraton Hotel
The city’s laid-back sea breeze, bright sunshine, and free-spirited ambiance
reminded him so much of his hometown, Genoa
That this Genoese man, carrying a “map of flavors” in his heart
Couldn’t help but feel attached
“I want to bring the authentic flavors of my Italian homeland to Xiamen”
Graziano thought to himself
Driven by his immense passion for cuisine
Graziano decided to stay
“I decided to open my own restaurant in Huli District”
He recalled with a smile
And so, his very own restaurant
——BOLLO
officially opened its doors in Huli in 2019
Thus giving the flavors of Genoa a new home in Xiamen
From the kitchen to the restaurant
From behind the scenes to center stage
Graziano has chosen the simplest way
to share his “childhood memories of Genoa”
Not through words
But through a plate of authentic handmade pasta
A spoonful of meticulously slow-simmered tomato meat sauce
And a freshly baked, steaming Italian pizza
This is a romantic story woven between East and West
Graziano’s wife, Eli, is from Hong Kong, China
From acquaintance to companionship
And now running BOLLO side by side
They are living their everyday lives in Huli, Xiamen
It’s the warmth of the community
That made their foreign dreams take root and flourish
Eli said, “the longer we live here,
the more we feel at home.”
And their restaurant
has become a comforting haven for many living far from home
Here, you don’t need a plane ticket
to savor authentic Italian flavors
Here, every dish
is a fusion of life and passion
In Huli
Cuisine knows no borders
And neither does culture
As long as you’re willing to pause for a moment
In a single bite of pizza or a sip of rich soup
You can feel the warmth of the world
And the inclusivity of the city
With the “flavors of memory,” Graziano and his family
have drawn an Italian “sphere of daily life” in Huli
Their dedication also echoes a gentle promise:
“To keep living here.”
Graziano, owner of BOLLO: “Xiamen is a beautiful city with a great climate. Living in Huli is very comfortable. The inclusive environment of this city brings together people of all colors, making me feel like I’m not an outsider anymore. I love it here.”
In the next installment of “Foreigners in Huli Feel at Home”
we will continue our journey
Discovering more stories of
“settling down in Huli”
Stay tuned!