Special food, native to Central China's Hunan Province, has attracted crowds of buyers to the Huxiang Food Store.

"With the Chinese New Year fast approaching, we are almost running out of stocks," said Xiao Mingjun, a store hand.

Most of the buyers are migrant workers from Hunan who plan to stay in Guangzhou for the festival. "They are keen on buying food here to celebrate the upcoming traditional festival," Xiao said.

The store, which opened four years ago, is very popular with the locals. Its most popular specialties include bacon and smoked duck. The preparation of meats by smoking is one of the most prominent features of richly flavored Hunan cuisine.

It also stocks a variety of chili sauces. Hunan people like to use large amounts of fresh chili and chili sauce to make their hot and spicy dishes.

Chen Weihua, who left Hunan for the city five years ago, is one of the regulars at the store.

"I bought many foods for the festival. It always reminds me of my hometown," Chen said.

Many restaurants and supermarkets also run special sales to meet the demands of migrant workers for their special cuisine.

Sun Huiming, who moved to Guangzhou from Shandong Province in East China 10 years ago said such foods "make us feel at home."