Tianmo (Savoury Spiced Porridge)

Tianmo is a thick savoury gruel made from millet flour, studded with spinach, glass noodles, tofu skin and peanuts and lifted with pepper. Despite the 'sweet' in its name, it is in fact savoury.

Its origins are told several ways, often linked to the early-morning porridges of Jinan's Hui community and old mansion kitchens. It has long circulated among locals as a signature warm morning dish.

Tianmo is drunk hot, usually with youxuan or fried dough sticks; a steaming bowl with a youxuan is the most classic Jinan breakfast.

Recognize it by the thick millet base, the medley of vegetables and peanuts, and a distinct peppery-savoury kick — it tastes salty yet is called 'sweet froth', a local quirk.