Begin your experience with a visit to a local market. Explore the stalls, learn about fresh ingredients, and experience the lively atmosphere of Xi'an daily life.
Next, sip on tea while listening to stories about Xi'an baozi and food culture. Then, prepare the filling, roll the wrappers, fold the baozi, steam them, and make a Shaanxi-style dipping sauce.
Finally, enjoy your freshly steamed baozi and take some home.
In Chinese food culture, baozi (steamed stuffed buns) are far more than a quick bite. They represent warmth, home cooking, and the rhythm of daily life. In Xi'an, baozi are a beloved breakfast and snack — fluffy, juicy, and often eaten on the go, paired with vinegar and chilli oil.
Making baozi at home is often a family activity. The process of kneading, filling, and folding brings people together around the table. Unlike the sweeter, smaller buns of southern China, Xi'an baozi are known for their savoury, spiced pork filling, thick yet tender wrappers, and the use of local spices like Sichuan pepper and cumin.
Baozi can be adapted to any diet — from classic pork to vegetarian, or even sweet red bean paste. This flexibility is part of why they remain so beloved across generations.
In this workshop, you won't just learn a recipe. You'll step into a living food tradition that has been passed down through Xi'an families for decades.
