The Chinese Valentine’s Day always encourages couples to indulge in exquisite and abundant meals.

This year, as the Chinese society is trying hard to prevent food waste, restaurants are launching new lighter ordering choices and the public are also forming restrained dining habits.

A Haililao hotpot restaurant in Nanjing’s Daxinggong region has especially designed a set menu with four dishes of the exact volume for two people.

In consideration of couple’s preferences for an exclusive space and also of the current epidemic, Xiaochuniang Restaurant, which serves Huaiyang Cuisine, has especially introduced a home delivery service.

“Having meals at home usually will not waste food, because if people can’t finish the dishes, they can leave them for the next meal. To prevent food waste, we have made new designsfor the set menu in variety and volume,” said a person in charge of the eatery.

The food wastage reduction philosophy has been widely appreciated. For Xia Tao, a post-90s generation man, each year’s Valentines Day has meant a romantic and luxurious candlelight dinner as well as a seasonal film favored by his loved one, costing hundreds of yuan. But this year, he decided to make a tasty meal for his beloved girlfriend.“We both want to have an economical but romantic holiday,” said Mr. Xia.“Cooking a dinner at home with my sweet helping me is romantic and can strengthen our relationship.”