"Perfect for Dinner"... Mysterious Visitor Flies In with Typhoon Dolphin that Hit China

Seafood Sightings Across China After Typhoon

Octopus and Salmon Carried Inland by the Storm Spark Buzz

As Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of the year, struck the eastern coast of China, an unexpected visitor at a window in Zhejiang province has captured significant attention.

According to multiple outlets including China’s Hongsheng News, Zhao, an owner of a factory in Zhejiang province, discovered an octopus clinging to his window on the day the typhoon swept through. He shared this scene on social media, where the post garnered over 660,000 likes and was shared 1.85 million times, quickly going viral.

An octopus flown in with the typhoon. China Weibo.

Online users responded with comments such as "Flying octopus," "The typhoon even delivered seafood," "Maybe Dolphin brought some friends along," "An octopus transferring from the navy to the army," and "The typhoon didn't come empty-handed—it sent over dinner, and it's perfect for tonight's menu."

This creature is a type of octopus prized locally for its nutritional value and is often used as a stamina-boosting delicacy. It is smaller than the common octopus, with thin, long legs and a chewy texture. Regarded as a signature seafood delicacy of eastern Zhejiang, it is usually boiled, braised, or enjoyed in clear soup. In local markets, it sells for about 10 to 20 yuan (approximately 2,100 to 4,200 won) per animal.

Octopus flown in with the typhoon. Weibo, China.

Seafood such as octopus appeared along with the typhoon, drawing attention. China Weibo.

Zhao explained, "It was still alive when I found it on the window," adding, "The factory is about 1 kilometer from the sea, and the octopus was discovered on the fourth floor, more than ten meters above ground, so it must have flown in with the typhoon." He also noted that he used this "unexpected guest" as an ingredient for his dinner. Local media further reported that, in addition to octopus, various other seafood such as salmon had been spotted in the aftermath of the typhoon.

However, local experts cautioned that some of the seafood might contain bacteria and viruses, urging caution when consuming any such finds. Bai Changming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Science, stated, "There is no way to determine the origin of seafood washed ashore after a typhoon, and the habitats are unclear," adding, "It is impossible to judge whether the living environment is safe." He further explained, "While shellfish found on the beach are relatively safe if thoroughly cooked while still alive, fish and crabs have a high risk of spoilage and pose significant dangers if eaten."

Meanwhile, on this day, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television (CCTV) reported that Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on the coast of Taizhou, Zhejiang province at around 5:30 p.m. the previous day. According to local reports, Dolphin had strengthened at one point to a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 58 meters per second near its center.

Notably, the typhoon led to the cancellation of about 1,500 flights in Shanghai and halted some trains and coastal passenger ferries operating between Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. Starting from the morning of the previous day, heavy rain caused flooding in over 100 urban roads and underpasses in Shanghai. In some areas, daily precipitation exceeded 200 millimeters. Shanghai Disneyland also closed the day before due to the impacts of Dolphin.

China’s meteorological authorities warned that parts of Zhejiang province could receive 250 to 500 millimeters of torrential rain and advised residents to prepare for potential river flooding and landslides.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.