University canteen introduces personalized menu

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The canteen at HeFei University of Technology in eastern China’s Anhui Province has launched a new personalized meal service which allows students to write down whatever they want to eat.

In addition to regular meals, students who want to have a taste of their hometown can now leave a message to catering staff in a move designed to improve canteen service.

Photo from CCTVNEWS Weibo account

One of the notes reads, “Tomorrow is my birthday. I hope to have a bowl of plain noodles. I didn’t like it when I was at home but now I really miss it.”

The canteen staff replied, “We wish you a happy birthday. We will provide you free noodles tomorrow at window No.18 at 17:30. Be there or be square.”

Photo from CCTVNEWS Weibo account

Another student requested hot and dry noodles, a traditional dish from central Wuhan City.

The canteen apologized, saying that although they can't provide this dish at the moment, they are considering adding it to to the menu soon.

Photo from China News Service

According to ahwang, a website which focuses on local news from Anhui Province, the canteen hopes to make students feel more at home.

“Students are from different regions across the country, but they have few opportunities to go back home every year, so we want to make authentic food featuring their hometown flavors,” said Wang Dengfeng, who runs the canteen.

He said the service has received wide popularity among students since its introduction in September, with dozens of messages coming in every day.

“Even though it is a tough job to cater to everyone's needs, it’s worth it,” he said.

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