The expression comes from a song by singer Xuechun describing Northeasterners, "Northeasterners are all living thunderbolts", the last classic lyrics of which is "Cuihua's on sauerkraut". It reveals the character of Northeasterners, which is bold without being witty.

With the widespread circulation of the song, the phrase "Cuihua's on sauerkraut" has also been familiarized and imitated by the majority of netizens, developing a variety of meanings. It can be a kind of introduction and promotion of Northeast culture, a funny colloquialism, or a way to express the brash and passionate character of Northeast people.