Majia Shaomai

Around 1796 the Hui vendor Ma Chun pushed a cart selling shaomai through old Shenyang's streets; in 1828 his son Ma Guangyuan rented a storefront outside the Xiaoximen gate and hung a sign reading Majia Shaomai, establishing the house.

Careful sourcing and a distinctive taste spread its name across the city, drawing notables to sample it. It was honored as a China Famous Snack in 1997 and recognized by the Ministry of Commerce as a first-batch China Time-Honored Brand in 2006.

The dough is hand-rolled into thin-rimmed lotus-leaf rounds; the filling uses tendon-trimmed fresh meat with meat, oil and water kept distinct, while rice flour dusting keeps the wrapper supple, yielding juicy, non-sticky shaomai.