At the table
Eat with a spoon. It can be served warm or chilled; check before ordering.
Jujubes may contain stones. Let hot soup cool; remove stones and check pea softness before offering to children.
This version uses dried peas, jujubes, sugar, water and food-grade alkali.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
White sugar, brown sugar or rock sugar may be used; sweetness and thickness vary.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Sweet jujube and mellow peas.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Soft peas in a lightly thickened broth.
- How it’s made
- Soaked dried peas are gently toasted, then simmered with water, jujubes and food-grade alkali; sugar is added.
White sugar, brown sugar or rock sugar may be used; sweetness and thickness vary.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Gansu.
About this regional connection
Gansu: Lanzhou sweet pea snack.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有灰豆子吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A sweet side of Lanzhou
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Huidouzi offers soft peas and jujube sweetness alongside Lanzhou’s better-known savoury foods. Its name recalls the alkaline ingredient used in cooking, not ash sprinkled on the finished bowl.
