Caobao Baozi

Caobao Baozi was opened in 1937 by Zhang Wenhan near the West Gate of old Jinan. As an apprentice cook he had been nicknamed 'Caobao' (literally 'straw bag') for his quiet, plodding manner; he turned the teasing nickname into the shop's name, and it stuck.

Caobao buns are known for careful ingredient selection and a soup-rich filling. With its recipe and location little changed over the decades, the shop became a flavour passed down through generations of Jinan families.

The filling blends fat and lean pork worked with stock; the thin wrapper holds the juices in, pleated evenly and steamed fast over high heat so each bun emerges glossy and bursting with broth.