At the table
Lift a small portion with chopsticks and loosen the strands. Let freshly steamed dough cool before eating; pickles and soy milk may be served alongside.
Contains wheat and pork fat. Check seasonings and accompaniments for allergies or dietary restrictions; soy milk contains soy. Freshly steamed dough can be hot.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
The amount of pork fat may differ by maker. Pickles and soy milk are common accompaniments in Sanyuan.
Typical ingredients
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Wheat aroma with the richness of pork fat.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Fine, soft, layered strands that pull apart from the steamed tower.
- How it’s made
- Make and rest a wheat dough, spread it with pork fat, cut and pull it into fine strands, coil the strands into a tower, and steam.
The amount of pork fat may differ by maker. Pickles and soy milk are common accompaniments in Sanyuan.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Shaanxi.
About this regional connection
Shaanxi: Associated with Sanyuan County in Shaanxi; no exclusive origin asserted.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有三原金线油塔吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A tower that opens into threads
In Sanyuan, fine dough strands coil into a little tower, then loosen when lifted with chopsticks. This changing shape gives golden thread oil tower its name. Making the strands takes careful cutting and stretching after pork fat is spread over the dough. Pickles and soy milk are familiar companions to this soft, rich specialty.