It is generally made from a mixture of ground rice, millet, and glutinous rice. What sets it apart from ordinary soup is the smoky flavor you taste when drinking it. This is because before cooking, the pot is first heated, and then the mixture — with a little water added — is poured directly in. The thickness causes it to naturally stick to the bottom and scorch slightly. The magic of Jiang's Porridge is that it doesn’t stick to the bowl…
Fish Balls Floating in Broth is a delicious and popular dish enjoyed by all ages in the Jining region. While most fish balls sink to the bottom of the soup, those from Weishan Island float entirely on the surface—hence the name "Fish Balls Floating in Broth." They are prized for being first fresh, second tender, third soft, and fourth floating.…
The "Yu Tai Soft-Shelled Turtle" has a yellowish-brown or earthy-yellow shell, a yellowish-white belly, an oval body shape, a large and thin skirt edge, sharp and long claws, a robust physique, and high agility in flipping over. After steaming or boiling, its meat is fragrant, delicious, and tender yet resilient. The Kangxi edition of the Yu Tai County Annals from the Qing Dynasty records: "Aquatic creatures—Fish: There are quite a few types of fish, too many to list them all. Turtles, shrimp, crabs, clams..."
"Yutai Lobster" features large, elongated bodies with brown-colored carapaces, abdomens, claws, and walking legs. Their shells are smooth and clean without any attachments, and their bellies are spotless with visible intestines. When cooked, the shells turn bright red, thin, and glossy, while the meat is white, tender, and delicious. The artificial farming of lobsters in Yutai County has a history of over 20 years...
Yutai Rice Wine is a strong-aroma, low-alcohol liquor primarily brewed from high-quality rice. The wine is pure and transparent, with no sediment or suspended particles, offering a clear, crystal-like appearance and a smooth, delicious taste. It is a bestseller in provinces such as Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, and Anhui.…
The main production area of Yutai Rice, Laozhai Township, is located by the Weishan Lake, the largest freshwater lake cluster in northern China. The region boasts fertile land and water, teeming fish and shrimp, as well as beautiful scenery and a pleasant environment. These conditions have given rise to the renowned Yutai Rice — known for its crystal-clear luster, rich nutrition, smooth and fragrant taste, and versatility in both congee and steamed rice dishes. In 1985, Yutai Rice...
【Weishan Down】 A traditional specialty of Weishan County. It has a history of four or five hundred years. The county features vast water areas, lush aquatic plants, abundant food sources, and a favorable climate, attracting flocks of wild ducks to forage and rest here. There are over 120 species of winter migratory and transient birds alone, including 72 species of wild ducks. Fishermen...
【Baizi Goose】 A specialty of Weishan County. It is called the Baizi Goose because it lays over a hundred eggs per year. This breed is large in size, with a big head, long neck, broad and flat beak, and a large fleshy protuberance on its forehead. Its body is broad and sturdy, with a long keel bone, full chest, and large feet with wide webbing. The feathers of the Baizi Goose are mostly pure white, though some are grayish-brown, referred to as “Wild Goose.” In Weishan County...
Drunken Crabs from Weishan Lake: This crab dish is a traditional delicacy of Shandong, with a history of over 200 years. These drunken crabs are made from fresh crabs from Weishan Lake and a variety of seasonings through a refined process. The marinated crabs remain lifelike in appearance, color, and shape as if they were still alive. The crab meat is snow-white, and the crab roe is bright red, offering an exceptionally delicious taste, making it a prized dish for banquets during the harsh winter. …
Blackfish from Weishan Lake is one of the more abundantly produced fish species in Weishan Lake. It has strong adaptability and high reproductive capacity, and is known as a "filial" fish, which makes it very popular among locals in the lake area. The blackfish has a plump body and delicate flesh, and can be used to prepare many dishes. It can serve as the main ingredient, a supplementary ingredient, or even be made into fish paste. It is a favorite choice among many chefs...
The old soft-shelled turtles of Weishan Lake are a prized aquatic product of the region. Turtle soup made from these turtles is a nourishing delicacy suitable for all ages. When combined with farm-raised chicken to create the dish “Farewell My Concubine,” not only is the flavor exceptionally delicious, but it also carries a unique symbolism. Stir-fried turtle is a dish invented by chefs in the lake area through practice. These three dishes are specialties of the lake region...
The eggshells are bluish-green in color, with a smooth and round appearance, which locals in southern Shandong also call “green-shelled.” Salted duck eggs have a long history in China and are beloved by the general public, as well as highly favored in the market. The highlight of this product is its red yolk and rich nutrition. It is packed with fat, protein, and various amino acids essential to the human body, and also contains minerals such as calcium, …
Among aquatic plants, lotus seeds and lotus roots are more commonly used, while water caltrop and gorgon fruit (also known as "chicken head rice") are less frequently utilized. Lotus seeds are a highly nutritious delicacy. Dishes such as lotus seed soup and lotus seed pudding have become upscale cuisine featured in state banquets and have been incorporated into various major Chinese culinary traditions. The wild lotus roots from Weishan Lake are entirely natural and authentic...
Weishan Lake Hairy Crabs, also known as "crabs" or "hairy crabs," are arthropods belonging to the class Malacostraca of the phylum Arthropoda. The cephalothorax, formed by the fusion of the head and thorax, is square-round in shape and hard in texture. The front end of the body has a pair of eyes, and the sides feature two pairs of very sharp crab pincers. The foremost pair of appendages on the crab are called chelipeds, which are covered with fuzz; after the chelipeds are...
Weishan Lake Pineflower Eggs are made from the eggs of local Ma ducks from Weishan Lake, with a production history of over 100 years. Originally named “Dragon Jar Pineflower Soft-Center Preserved Eggs,” they were bestsellers in major cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, and gained nationwide fame. Since Ma ducks from Weishan Lake often feed on fish, shrimp, snails, and other animal-based food, their eggs…
Mandarin fish, also known as ji hua yu or gui yu, is a premium edible fish native to Weishan Lake. It has an oval, laterally compressed body with a raised back, a large mouth, and a protruding lower jaw. The upper jaw extends to the rear edge of the eye, and both the upper and lower jaws, as well as the vomer and palatine bones, are equipped with sharp teeth of varying sizes. Its scales are small, the dorsal fin is well-developed with hard spines at the front, and both the pectoral and ventral fins are rounded. Mandarin fish from Weishan Lake…
Gorgon Fruit of Weishan Lake, also known as "head rice," is a perennial aquatic herbaceous plant. Before the Ming Dynasty, Gorgon Fruit in Weishan Lake grew wild. It began to be cultivated artificially from the Qing Dynasty onward. The flowers are deep purple, and the leaves are round and shield-shaped, with dense, hard prickles on the leaf backs, stems, fruits, and fruit stalks. The underwater silt in Weishan Lake is extremely thick, and the soil is fertile, making it suitable for its growth. The Gorgon Fruit produced here...
Liangcheng Garlic is a specialty of Liangcheng Town, Weishan County, Jining City, Shandong Province. The town has a long history of garlic cultivation, which serves as its leading industry. Liangcheng Garlic has been awarded a National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark. Thanks to its historical background and advantages in garlic farming, Liangcheng Town in Weishan County was successfully selected as one of the first 64 “One Village One Product” demonstration villages and towns in Shandong Province.
Qing shrimp from Weishan Lake are a specialty of Weishan County, Jining City, Shandong Province. Also known as river shrimp or Japanese marsh shrimp, they are rich in nutrients, tender, and delicious. Qing shrimp from Weishan Lake have been awarded a National Geographical Indication Certification trademark. These shrimp, also called river shrimp or Japanese marsh shrimp, are rich in nutrients, tender, and delicious, making them a beloved and premium...
Crucian carp from Weishan Lake is a specialty of Weishan County, Jining City, Shandong Province. The fish are large, have rich meat, a delicious and mellow flavor, and tender flesh. Crucian carp from Weishan Lake has been awarded a National Geographical Indication Certification trademark. Its most distinctive features are its large size, abundant meat, delicious and mellow taste, and tender texture, setting it apart from other types of fish...