The so-called “Four-Four Feast” is generally a type of banquet categorized by dishes, consisting of four cold plates, four main dishes, four variety dishes, and four side dishes—sixteen dishes in total for a table of eight. Both the content of the banquet and the serving sequence are highly refined, featuring several distinctive characteristics: First, an emphasis on broth preparation. Boshan cuisine fully embodies the Shandong culinary tradition of valuing broth, with meticulous selection of ingredients and refined cooking techniques. Whether it’s superior stock, clear broth, milk broth, or vegetarian stock, the preparation method is strictly chosen according to the dish. Boshan chefs often say, “Singing relies on tone, cooking relies on broth,” meaning the quality of a dish hinges first and foremost on its broth.
Approved and registered by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, "Boshan Honeysuckle" has been honored with a Geographical Indication Certification Trademark. This marks the fourth "China Geographical Indication" certification trademark for Boshan District, following "Zibo Ceramics," "Boshan Glass Art," and "Chishang Platycodon." Honeysuckle is sweet in flavor and cold in nature, with a fragrant aroma. It clears heat without harming the stomach, and since ancient times...
Geographical Scope Yanshen was yesterday’s Boshan. Boshan is the continuation and development of Yanshen. Colored glaze products are called “material goods.” Those who engage in firing colored glaze are called furnace craftsmen. The colored glaze industry began to rise around the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. Special Qualities Colored glaze is an artwork made from synthetic crystal using the lost-wax precision casting method. Life…
Crispy Fish Pot, also simply called "Crispy Pot," is a dish that almost every household in Boshan prepares for the Lunar New Year. Because it is somewhat time-consuming and labor-intensive to make, and the large quantity is not easy to store, aside from restaurants, most families only make it during the New Year. The ingredients for Crispy Fish Pot are quite varied, mainly including Chinese cabbage, lotus root, kelp, fried tofu, chicken, duck, skin-on pork belly, ribbon fish...
Zibo ceramics, with their long history, have also made remarkable progress in the production of artistic ceramics, achieving a high level in both form and decoration. For example, the eggshell pottery from the late Neolithic period, as well as the "raindrop glaze" and "tea grain glaze" introduced during the Song Dynasty, are still regarded as treasures in many countries. Since the founding of…
Shihamao Dumplings are very famous in Boshan. They are exquisitely made, with carefully selected fillings and meticulous preparation, and are shaped like ingots. Shihamao Dumplings have two main features: first, their wrappers are extremely thin, with even thickness, so that when cooked, the filling can be clearly seen through the delicate skin; second, they have generous fillings, using meat with an appropriate ratio of fat to lean, along with high-quality ingredients...
Boxed Tofu is a traditional delicacy of Boshan. Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty made his southern tour, he once “graced” Boshan with his presence. During a banquet in his honor, this dish was served, and after tasting it, the emperor praised it effusively. To make Boxed Tofu, first cut the tofu into six-sided cubes and one-inch rectangular pieces, then deep-fry them in peanut oil until golden brown and remove. Next, make an incision in one side of each tofu piece…
Bellflower from Chishang is produced in Chishang Town. Chishang Town is the source of the Zi River and a top-grade water resource conservation area in Zibo City, Shandong Province. The area has abundant surface water, is far from pollution sources, and the water contains various trace elements beneficial to human health, providing ideal conditions for the healthy growth of bellflower. As a specialty vegetable, bellflower tastes...
Boshan Crispy Pot is a traditional seasonal dish, especially popular in winter and during the Spring Festival. Legend has it that it was first created by a woman named Su Xiaomei in Yanshen Town during the early Qing Dynasty, hence the dish was originally named “Su Pot.” Because the dish uses a lot of vinegar and is characterized by tender, fall-off-the-bone meat and fish bones, and since “Su” (苏) and “suo” (酥, meaning crispy) are homophones, it was later renamed “Crispy Pot.” The Crispy Pot uses a wide variety of ingredients, is convenient to eat, deliciously crispy, and easy to learn and prepare, which contributed to its widespread popularity. It has now spread to areas such as Zhoucun, Zichuan, Zhangdian, Linzi, and Jinan. The main ingredients include Chinese cabbage, lotus root, kelp, frozen tofu, chicken, duck, meat, fish, spare ribs, and pig’s trotters. These must be layered in sequence. Seasonings include vinegar (to make the ingredients tender), sugar (to balance the flavors), rice wine (to remove fishy odors), as well as sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, scallions, ginger, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns. During cooking, the pot is first brought to a boil over high heat, then simmered over low heat until the meat, fish, bones, and cartilage are all tender. Once removed from the heat and cooled thoroughly, it can be served anytime. (Zibo)
Bose Mountain Hawthorn is a specialty of Boshan Town, Boshan District, Zibo City, Shandong Province. It has been awarded a National Geographical Indication Certification trademark. Boshan Town is the source of the Zihe River, an important water source in Zibo City. For a long time, over 40,000 local farmers have relied on more than 30,000 acres of mountainous land to make a living. Thanks to its unique natural ecological environment, more than 20 leading agricultural investment companies such as Shang1hua and Yanchun have settled here, and local farmers have accordingly established 52 specialized cooperatives for organic agricultural products, with total investments exceeding 400 million yuan.
Boshan blueberries have a long history in Mount Lushan, Boshan District. Historical records such as the *Zibo Annals*, *Boshan District Annals*, and *Boshan Yearbook* all document the presence of Boshan blueberries. In 1999, after meeting afforestation standards on barren hills, a “10,000-mu Boshan Blueberry” planting base was established. Blueberries are mainly grown in the southern mountainous areas, particularly in Boshan, where...
There are no fewer than ten varieties of porridge in Boshan, such as pea porridge, rice porridge, millet porridge, corn grits porridge, eight-treasure porridge, almond porridge, lotus seed porridge, and Laba porridge. Among them, the most famous is the porridge made by the Wang family’s “spinster.” In fact, it is a type of millet and mung bean porridge. First, a small amount of water is used to thoroughly cook the mung beans, then more water is added to bring it to a boil. The ground millet paste is mixed with water to dilute it before being poured into the pot. After a few boils, it’s ready.
The Roast Pot, also known as Boshan Roast Pot, is a "New Year dish" prepared with meticulous care and refined techniques, ranking far above the Crispy Fish Pot in sophistication. The people of Boshan are warm and hospitable, maintaining the traditional custom that "no banquet is complete without proper etiquette, and guests must be treated with a grand feast." Most of the dishes served to family and friends during the Spring Festival are prepared well in advance. Ordinary households make Crispy Pots, while more affluent families...
Fried spring rolls, fried spring rolls, is a seasonal local dish from Boshan. In spring, Boshan produces an abundance of toon shoots, which have a fragrant aroma and are exported overseas. This dish uses toon shoots in spring and Chinese chives in other seasons. The wrapper must be crispy and thoroughly fried, while the inside should retain the authentic flavor of the toon shoots. As the saying goes, “Seek beauty in simplicity, freshness in lightness—such clarity and freshness can transcend the mundane and reveal true essence…”
Shimen Toon Shimen has a history of cultivating toon trees for over a hundred years. Toon trees can be found planted along field ridges, irrigation dikes, and in front of or behind farmers’ houses. In recent years, the scenic area has started growing toon trees in greenhouses, extending the harvest season. The annual production of toon reaches tens of thousands of tons, earning the area a well-deserved reputation as the “Hometown of Toon.”…
Guozhuang Long Eggplant The Beibo Mountain Town in Boshan District has a humid climate and large diurnal temperature variations, making it one of the district’s key summer vegetable production bases. Among its produce, the Guozhuang Long Eggplant is one of Zibo City’s renowned vegetable varieties. Currently, the planting area in Boshan District reaches over 10,000 mu annually, with a yield exceeding 100,000 tons, supplying major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Jinan...
Quanhe Rainbow Trout. Quanhe Rainbow Trout comes from Quanhetou in Yuanyuan Town, Boshan District. The flesh of rainbow trout is tender and flavorful, rich in nutrients, and considered a premium among freshwater fish. It can be prepared in various delicious ways such as crispy frying, steaming, stewing, braising, dry frying, and stir-fried fish slices.
Saucy Duck Square is one of the signature dishes of Boshan. This dish involves a complex cooking process and boasts a unique, richly aromatic flavor. It has now become a renowned dish served at state banquets. The dish is characterized by its glossy reddish-brown color, fragrant sauce, tender and palatable texture, and a savory taste with a hint of sweetness. It can be enjoyed at various high-end restaurants in Zibo, typically priced around 40 yuan per serving. …
Soft-braised tofu is a famous home-style dish from the Boshan region, which has long been known for its tofu production. Boshan tofu features a light yellow color, soft and tender texture, and a delicious, fragrant taste. The tofu is coagulated using “sour whey” rather than the common “brine” method, resulting in a product that is yellow on the outside and white on the inside, free from the bitterness of brine, fine-textured and firm, making it ideal for shaping. Boshan...
The Yuanyuan Town in Boshan District has continuously strengthened measures, enhanced management, and expanded cultivation scale, laying a solid foundation for building the renowned "Chinese Kiwifruit" brand in Yuanyuan and establishing the largest organic kiwifruit demonstration base in Shandong Province. The town has established a leading group for agricultural product quality and safety supervision, with one information liaison officer assigned to each village...