KHON KAEN, Thailand, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Some 600 Thai students and local people in the northeastern Thai province of Khon Kaen tasted spicy Sichuan food of China and also got a chance to learn how to cook the Sichuan dishes from top chefs from a Chinese university on Friday.

The third Chinese Kitchen Food and Cultural Festival was held by the Confucius Institute at Khon Kaen University on Friday, during which various events were held to promote Chinese culture in Khon Kaen.

The Southwest University of China, which supports the Confucius Institute together with Khon Kaen University (KKU), the Chinese Consulate General in Khon Kaen, Chinese students in KKU, Thai students from KKU and other schools respectively set up food booths in KKU's Sala Derm hall to showcase diversified Chinese food.

This year, three top chefs from the Southwest University of China are invited to the event, they've prepared "boboji" and Sweet and Sour Ribs for Thais to taste, which attracted many to queue up for these mouth-watering Chinese dishes.

"It is very delicious as it is spicy and we northeastern Thai people like spicy food," said a Thai student after tasting the "boboji".

Cultural performances such as Taiji, Chinese dance and Thai dance were also held inside Sala Derm.

Thai students were invited to attend a course on traditional Chinese books and also courses on cooking of Sichuan dishes.

Tang Yuanguo, a top chef from the Southwest University, taught Thai students how to cook a famous Sichuan dish, "boiled meat slices," or Shuizhuroupian.

"It is my first time to try something like this," said Naristsara Kumduang, a 17-year-old student from a local college who was one of the two who actually cooked out "boiled meat slices" with chef Tang's help.