The coastal province of Shandong in eastern China is home to Shandong Luneng, currently the defending champion in the national soccer league; to Shandong Bangzi, a popular form of Beijing Opera; and to Tsingtao Beer, originating from the city of Qingdao and famous the world over. It is also home to Shandong cuisine, known as shandongcai or lucai in Chinese, which is one of the "Eight Culinary Traditions" of China.

The cuisine, known for its wide variety of ingredients and cooking methods, mainly comprises two styles: Jinan style from the inland, which encompasses dishes from Jinan, Dezhou, Tai'an and surrounding regions and is famed for its soup; and Jiaodong style, which encompasses dishes from Qingdao, Yantai and other coastal cities, and is characterized by seafood and light flavors.