Eating in China
Generated guide illustration: Kaifeng soup-filled buns.

Kaifeng soup-filled buns

开封灌汤包Kāifēng guàntāngbāo

Pleated steamed buns filled with juicy pork

Thin wrappers hold a pork filling with abundant cooking juices.

Heat
Region
Henan
Type
Snacks
Order in Chinese

At the table

How to enjoy it

Lift gently onto a spoon, open a small hole and let the hot juices cool before sipping and eating.

A useful check

Contains pork, wheat, soy and sesame oil. The enclosed juices can be very hot.

How it may vary

Water can be worked into the pork filling instead of adding pork-skin jelly. Some preparations use high-gluten wheat-flour wrappers; dough and filling formulas vary.

GET TO KNOW THE DISH

What goes into it?

Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.

Water can be worked into the pork filling instead of adding pork-skin jelly. Some preparations use high-gluten wheat-flour wrappers; dough and filling formulas vary.

Recipes vary by restaurant.

How does it taste?

Savory

Savory
Chili heat
Texture
Thin, chewy wrapper and juicy filling.
How it’s made
Mix water and seasonings into pork, enclose in unleavened dough, pleat and steam.

Water can be worked into the pork filling instead of adding pork-skin jelly. Some preparations use high-gluten wheat-flour wrappers; dough and filling formulas vary.

A CONNECTION TO PLACE

Origin & regional roots

Explore regional food

Associated with Henan.

Ask if they have it first

ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE

请问你们有开封灌汤包吗?

Do you have this item?

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

A small bun with a generous filling

In 1922, bun master Huang Jishan opened First Snack House in Kaifeng; the business later took the First Floor name. Its small steamed buns became known for a thin wrapper around rich broth.

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