The 24th China Medical Team in The Gambia has showcased traditional Chinese food therapy at the China Day celebration of the West African Food Festival.
The event, held at the weekend (October 18, 2026) at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI), was attended by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe, the Principal of GTHI, Momodou Singhateh, and the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in The Gambia, Zhao Shangsen.
The China Medical Team presented five traditional Chinese soups and beverages as part of its cultural exhibition. They included Angelica, Ginger and Lamb Soup, Snow Fungus Soup with Goji Berries, Traditional Sour Plum Drink, Mung Bean Soup, and Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Tea.
According to the medical team, the recipes reflect the Chinese philosophy of food therapy which emphasizes balanced nutrition, seasonal eating, and the relationship between diet and well-being.
Dr Zhang Bo, a member of the 24th China Medical Team, introduced the ingredients, cultural significance and traditional uses of the dishes to guests and visitors at the festival.
He said the Angelica, Ginger and Lamb Soup is a classic prescription dating back to the Han Dynasty. He noted that it was recorded in a Chinese medical text around 200 AD and remains widely prepared in households across China. It is the oldest recipe displayed at the event and embodies the traditional Chinese principle of warming and nourishing the body.
Traditional Chinese Food Therapy Exhibition
Dr Zhang said the Snow Fungus Soup with Goji Berries is a traditional dessert known to moisten dryness and is suitable for autumn. The Sour Plum Drink and Mung Bean Soup are refreshing summer beverages, while the Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Tea follows the Chinese herbal tea tradition and is valued for easing eye strain from prolonged screen use.
Speaking to the media at the event, Dr Zhang said Chinese medicinal cuisine combines traditional medicinal herbs with food ingredients to create dishes that are both flavourful and traditionally valued for their health-supporting properties. He added that the practice is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory.
He explained that traditional Chinese dietary practices emphasize not only the nutritional value of food but also the relationship between diet, seasonal changes, lifestyle and well-being.
The organizers said the exhibition used food as a universal language to offer Gambians an opportunity to discover and appreciate the richness of Chinese culture.
The China Day celebration was part of the West African Food Festival which brought together participants from different countries to showcase their culinary heritage.
Figure 2: Dr. Zhang Bo Introduces Traditional Chinese Food Therapy
As the festival came to a close, participants described the traditional Chinese food therapy exhibition as a meaningful occasion for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between peoples of different cultures.
The participation of the 24th China Medical Team, officials said, highlighted the unique charm of Chinese food culture and further strengthened friendship and cultural ties between China and The Gambia.
The medical team has been providing medical services and conducting health outreach activities in The Gambia as part of China-Gambia cooperation in the health sector.
