鲜美 (xiān měi) is an adjective describing food that is both fresh and delicious — especially with a rich, savory, naturally sweet or umami flavor. The character 鲜 means 'fresh' (often associated with seafood, vegetables, or recently harvested ingredients), while 美 means 'beautiful' or 'delicious', contributing the sense of pleasant taste and appeal. Together, they emphasize a high-quality, appetizing flavor that comes from freshness and natural goodness, not heavy seasoning.

This term is commonly used in culinary contexts — especially for soups, broths, seafood, mushrooms, and seasonal produce. It carries a positive, somewhat refined connotation and appears frequently in restaurant menus, food writing, and cooking shows. Unlike generic terms like 好吃 (hǎo chī, 'tasty'), 鲜美 suggests a more delicate, nuanced savoriness rooted in ingredient quality and preparation.