Foreigners get a taste of heritage-listed Xiasha Shaomai
Zheng Yuxia (in mask) shows expats how to make shaomai
Nearly a dozen foreigners were treated to a heritage-listed snack in Pudong's countryside over the weekend.
The expats from Australia, Italy, Greece, Spain, and the UK visited Hangtou Town on Saturday and learned how to prepare Xiasha Shaomai, a steamed dumpling from the Xiasha area.
Shanghai classified Xiasha Shaomai as an intangible cultural treasure in 2015. The snack has a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
Unlike Shanghai-style Shaomai with sticky rice, Xiasha uses fresh pork and spring bamboo shoots.
An expat shows Zheng Yuxia the shaomai she made
In a century-old residence, Zheng Yuxia, an "inheritor" of the custom, showed them how to prepare it.
"Make a lotus-shaped wrapper and fold it with stuffing like this," she told four-year-old Ona Casa, who came with her parents.
"It's so fun to make Xiasha Shaomai, and it tastes good,!" the Spanish girl said.
Zhang Yumeng, a township cultural service center official, said additional events will be held to promote Xiasha Shaomai overseas.
Expats get a taste shaomai
