Bianyifang (Jinan)

Jinan's Bianyifang opened in the early 1930s, most sources giving 1933, founded by Zhang Yuexiang from Tianjin in the old commercial district. The name likely borrowed the renown of the Beijing house of the same name.

Unlike the Beijing Bianyifang famed for roast duck, the Jinan house made its name on potstickers, keeping its specialty and even its location largely unchanged for nearly a century in the old commercial quarter.

The potstickers are made with thin wrappers and a fresh filling, fried then steam-finished in a flat pan so the bottoms turn golden and crisp while the tops stay soft and juicy — a signature Jinan griddle snack.