Spicy Dumplings (La Zi Ge Da)

Last updated 2026-11-12 — Spicy Dumplings, or La Zi Ge Da, are a specialty snack from Shunping County. The key lies in the broth — a pot of seasoned meat stock simmered to a rolling boil. Cubes of lean meat, each about an inch square, bob in the broth, adding a satisfying chew. The chili peppers are ground into an ultra-fine powder, not even sparing the seeds, then hot oil is poured over them. Listen for that sizzle as the aroma of chili fills the room. The chili powder isn’t used directly; instead, the infused oil is poured entirely into the broth. Crispy, deeply toasted flatbread is torn into chunks — the bigger the better — and dropped into the pot to cook. A big bowl is ladled out, filled with broth and meat, topped with shredded garlic sprouts and minced cilantro.