Pan-fried Buns

Pan-fried Buns

　　 Pan-fried buns, also known as oven buns, are a traditional and historic delicacy from Jimo. In 1985, they were listed as one of the region's famous foods by the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce. According to legend, in the early Ming Dynasty, three brothers surnamed Hu migrated from Luoyang, Henan Province, to settle south of Jimo City. While reclaiming land for farming, they also set up makeshift stalls on the sandy banks of the Moshui River in the county town to run a business selling pan-fried buns. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, pan-fried bun shops could be found all over the urban and rural areas of the county, establishing them as a local specialty. The main ingredients of pan-fried buns include refined flour, pork, vegetables (such as Chinese cabbage, leeks, and zucchini), peanut oil, dried flour paste, and various seasonings. Their preparation is meticulous—the dough must have the right balance of firmness and softness, the flavor should be fragrant without being greasy, and the cooking temperature must be just right. The process involves heating oil in a flat-bottomed pan, placing the shaped round buns closely together in the pan, and when they develop a golden crust, adding an appropriate amount of starchy broth. The buns are then individually flipped, after which the heat is turned up high to bring the pan to a boil. Once the water has evaporated, the heat is reduced to low to crisp the bottom of the buns into a thin, crunchy crust. The finished buns are golden yellow, translucent, and characterized by their fragrant, crispy, and savory taste. In the autumn of 1953, Jimo’s catering industry was invited to participate in the Qingdao Commodities Fair, where Jimo pan-fried buns received high praise from diners. Since 1978, these distinctive local pan-fried buns have been revived across both urban and rural areas of the county. By 1987, there were over 30 pan-fried bun shops in the county town alone. In 2002, pan-fried buns were named one of Jimo’s top ten local delicacies.