At the table
Eat by hand or with chopsticks, breaking off small pieces while warm. No dipping or filling is needed; let the steaming centre cool first.
Ask for the plain rice version and confirm any added flour, milk, egg or fat if relevant to your diet. Sweetness and sourness vary by maker; rice-based does not guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.
Ask for the plain rice version and confirm any added flour, milk, egg or fat if relevant to your diet. Sweetness and sourness vary by maker; rice-based does not guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Ask for the plain rice version and confirm any added flour, milk, egg or fat if relevant to your diet. Sweetness and sourness vary by maker; rice-based does not guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.
Typical ingredients
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Soft white steamed rice cakes with a gentle sweetness, slight tang and faint fermented-rice aroma. Xiangshan's rice mantou have a moist, tender crumb and no filling.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Soft white steamed rice cakes with a gentle sweetness, slight tang and faint fermented-rice aroma. Xiangshan's rice mantou have a moist, tender crumb and no filling.
- How it’s made
- Japonica rice and glutinous rice are soaked, ground with water, sweetened with white sugar and naturally fermented, then portioned onto cloth and steamed. The rice blend and fermentation time vary; this plain version needs neither added yeast nor rice wine.
Ask for the plain rice version and confirm any added flour, milk, egg or fat if relevant to your diet. Sweetness and sourness vary by maker; rice-based does not guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Zhejiang.
About this regional connection
Zhejiang: Associated with Xiangshan County, Ningbo, Zhejiang.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有象山米馒头吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Xiangshan fermented rice buns
Xiangshan families serve these naturally fermented rice cakes at celebrations. Their rice-based craft is listed in Ningbo's municipal intangible cultural heritage directory; the name mantou does not make them wheat buns.