Shandong specialty — Shengfu Pastries are a distinctive type of pastry from Qufu, the hometown of Confucius. Originally produced in the Kong Family Mansion (also known as the Holy Mansion), these pastries were handmade within the residence of the hereditary Duke Yansheng, descendants of Confucius, forming their own unique system. Hence the name, also referred to as Kong Family Pastries. Shengfu Pastries are a long-standing, generations-inherited delicacy with a unique flavor. Shengfu Pastries...
Bring the Son to Court is one of the distinctive dishes in the Shandong cuisine of Chinese culinary tradition, primarily made with peanuts. Its symbolic meaning represents the generations of officials in the Kong Family Mansion, who served in court from one generation to the next, signifying an enduring noble lineage and hereditary titles. This dish features a duck accompanied by a pigeon, placed together on a plate—one large and one small—offering a unique flavor and often served as a centerpiece at banquets. The duck…
The “Kong Family’s Supreme Pot” is a famous dish from the Kong Family Mansion, named by imperial decree. It is said that emperors of the Qing Dynasty often visited the Kong Family Mansion, and the mansion frequently sent its chefs to the imperial palace to prepare exquisite dishes for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the imperial consorts. The Kong Family Supreme Pot was named by the emperor. It is said that emperors of the Qing Dynasty often visited the Kong Family Mansion, and the mansion also frequently dispatched chefs to…
"Roasted Floral Salmon" is a dish primarily made with salmon, cooked using high heat grilling. It is one of the most famous dishes from the Confucius Mansion cuisine, where salmon is considered a premium ingredient.
The Large Fruit Apricot, also known as Badan Apricot, is a rare and valuable variety that can be eaten both as fruit and for its kernel. It is a specialty of Qufu. This type of apricot has an elongated shape, an orange-yellow color, and is relatively large in size. The average weight per fruit is 75 grams, with larger ones exceeding 80 grams. The flesh is rich, fine, and tender, with a sweet and slightly sour taste. The apricot pit is round with a thin shell, and the kernel is sweet without any off-flavors, boasting an edible rate of 93…
Jizhuang Big Green Pears, also known as Jizhuang Cha Zi Pears, are produced in the areas of Jizhuang and Wanliuzhuang in Fangshan Township and have a long cultivation history. These pears are bluish-green in color, with sparse, plump, short spots. They are large in size, with fine white flesh, small cores, no pits, and offer a fragrant, crisp, and sweet taste. They can help eliminate indigestion and depression, clear heat and soothe the lungs, resolve phlegm and relieve coughs, strengthen the spleen and promote urination, all while being delightfully crisp and sweet. …
"Qufu Blooming Brushes, Forged by Master Craftsmanship" — Introduction to Fuxinghe Brush Workshop in Qufu The Fuxinghe Brush Workshop in Qufu was originally the Hunan-based Fuxinghe Brush Workshop, established by Gong Cunli during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. Passing through three generations — Changsong, Baoyu, and Shoude — it has now reached its fifth generation, boasting a history of over a hundred years. Before the liberation, it long served as the official supplier of "tribute brushes" to the Confucius Mansion, and has been a widely renowned brush workshop.
Yao Village matting has a history of nearly 200 years. During the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, a woman surnamed Cai from Xichang Village in Qufu married into the Dong family in Qianguanzhuang Village, Yanzhou, bringing the mat-weaving craft with her. The craft continued to develop over time, reaching its heyday in 1937 when mats made of sorghum stalks, reeds, and hats were sold to the three northeastern provinces and Inner Mongolia. After 1978...
Qufu smoked tofu is a traditional snack unique to the area. It can be served cold in a salad, stewed, or sliced thinly. Stalls selling smoked tofu are common throughout Qufu. The dish is typically made by placing the smoked tofu and chunks of meat in an iron pot, covering them with water, and simmering with whole chili peppers, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, and other seasonings. For those who enjoy spicy food, there’s also…
Statue of Confucius, Portraits of the Duke Yansheng and His Consort — This book includes depictions of Confucius in casual attire, as the Minister of Crime, and in teaching poses, and primarily features portraits of the Dukes Yansheng and their consorts through successive dynasties. It is a valuable resource for understanding the life of Confucius and his descendants, the Dukes Yansheng. …
The most representative brand among Qufu pancakes, made using the most traditional folk production techniques. The batter, made from mixed grains, is spread and pan-fried, then filled with carefully prepared stuffing and repeatedly hand-pan-fried to perfection. The addition of whole grains makes the food more nutritious. The pancake has a porous and fluffy texture, with each layer as thin as paper. It’s crispy, flavorful, and crumbles delightfully in your mouth. Despite containing no additives, the product can be preserved for two to three months. Flavors include peanut five-spice, peanut spicy, and sesame five-spice.
Confucius Mansion Cuisine refers to the dishes cooked by the family chefs of the Confucius Mansion in Qufu, hence the name. The Confucius Mansion in Qufu was the residence of the “Duke Yansheng,” the direct descendant of Confucius, and this cuisine is a classic example of official-style Chinese cooking. Within the mansion, there were two types of kitchens: one was the inner kitchen, which prepared meals exclusively for the Duke Yansheng and his family; the other was the outer kitchen, which catered to large banquets, sacrificial ceremonies, and celebratory events…
Stone rubbing rubbings are a widely circulated traditional craft in China. Before photographic plate-making and printing technologies became highly developed, many historical facts, political decrees, eulogies, inscriptions, poems, essays, paintings, and calligraphy works by notable figures were preserved on stone tablets. These tablets serve not only as valuable historical records but also as models of calligraphy. Therefore, stone rubbings hold significant reference value for the study of history and the evolution of writing...
Qufu Smoked Tofu is famous both at home and abroad. It is not only a unique traditional snack of the area but also one of the featured dishes in the “Kong Family Mansion Cuisine,” which is fit for elegant banquets. With a history of several hundred years, it gained significant fame after being highly praised by Emperor Qianlong. Qufu Smoked Tofu can be served cold in a salad or stewed and smoked. One popular way is to place the smoked tofu together with meat chunks in an iron pot, cover them with water, and simmer with seasonings such as chili peppers, fennel, Sichuan peppercorns, and cinnamon—resulting in a delicious dish. In 2013, under the guidance of the Qufu City Administration for Industry and Commerce, the Qufu Kong Family Mansion Cuisine Research Association registered Qufu Smoked Tofu as a geographical indication trademark in the categories of smoked tofu and tofu products. In recent years, visitors to Qufu often specifically order Qufu Smoked Tofu at Kong family restaurants or hotels. With the development of e-commerce and logistics, this distinctive snack has now spread across the country.
Beishan jujubes are produced in villages such as Yukou, Longweizhuang, and Daheya located at the foot of Jiushan Mountain in the northern part of Qufu. With over 2,000 years of cultivation history, they were already used as tonics by the lords and officials of the State of Lu during the Western Zhou and Spring and Autumn periods. According to the "Supplementary Qufu County Annals · Local Products," during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, annual production of dried Beishan jujubes reached as much as 150,000 kilograms. …
Carved boxwood refers to handicrafts made from boxwood carving. Along with stone rubbings and Nishan inkstones, it is known as one of the “Three Treasures of Qufu” (the ancient “Three Treasures” of Qufu were boxwood canes, ruyi scepters, and diviner's grass). The material used in Qufu carved boxwood is the unique boxwood found only in the Confucius Forest. Legend has it that the first boxwood tree was brought back by Confucius’s disciple Zigong from Hainan, where he traded goods, and planted in the Confucius Forest when he returned for the funeral. …
The Qufu Jiuxian Mountain area and its surrounding regions are rich in forest and fruit resources, historically serving as an important supplier of fruits to the Mansion of the Duke Yansheng. The main produce includes grapes, dates, apples, cherries, and other fresh and dried fruits, with grapes having the largest planting area and yield. The region enjoys abundant sunlight, clean water sources, a well-structured and nutrient-rich soil, along with years of production experience...
【One-Grade Peach】One of the signature dishes served at the Confucius Mansion’s birthday banquet, this dish is among the first to be presented. Its name is derived from the legend of “Magu Offering Birthday Wishes,” symbolizing blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and a lifespan as enduring as the Southern Mountains. The dish is exquisitely crafted, with a lifelike and vivid appearance. Its taste is sweet, soft, and refreshing, deeply satisfying to the palate, making it the finest among the sweet dishes of Confucius Mansion cuisine. The main ingredient is Chinese yam, and the accompaniments include…
Phoenix Shark’s Fin is one of the most famous signature dishes in Qufu. It is known for its premium ingredients, elegant presentation, tender and flavorful chicken, richly colored shark’s fin, and thick, savory sauce. This dish can be enjoyed at major restaurants throughout Qufu, typically priced between 80–100 yuan per serving. …
This dish was originally part of the “Confucius Mansion Banquet,” but due to its delicious taste and auspicious name, it has now become an independent specialty of Qufu. It is commonly served at birthday banquets. The dish mainly consists of longevity noodles and a carp served in a savory sauce. Visitors can enjoy it at various restaurants throughout Qufu. The price varies primarily based on the size of the fish…