Shayang Glutinous Rice Shaomai

Last updated 2026-11-15 — 【Glutinous Rice Shaomai】“Shaomai wrapped in ash-colored dough” is a common local saying in Shayang that vividly depicts the characteristics of shaomai. The method involves wrapping an appropriate amount of soaked glutinous rice along with pork fat, winter melon strips, raw lard, osmanthus sugar, red and green candied threads, and orange cake in unleavened dough, shaping it into an oval form, with the top pinched into an open petal shape, then steaming it upright in a bamboo steamer. There are many types of shaomai, with various fillings—sweet fillings are sweet and fragrant, while savory ones are salty, fresh, and crisp. The wrappers are thin and the fillings generous (as the saying goes, “shaomai so plump it won’t burst”), resembling plum blossoms, hence also called “Mei” (plum) shaomai.