Sweet steamed pork

Sweet steamed pork, also named as Dongpo sweet steamed pork, is one of the most noted traditional steamed dishes in central China’s Hubei province. It enjoys a high reputation all over China. Huangpi locals cherish a long history of making sweet steamed food, which is an essential part of any festival feasts. The bright-red-colored dish is savory and mellow, representing sweetness, happiness, good luck and auspicious sign.

Legend has it that, Su Dongpo, a distinguished poet and gourmet in Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD), was once banished to Huangzhou, in Hubei, where he gave lectures. His students admired his great learning and courage very much. One day, they prepared some food that Su liked most to give their thanks. However, one student mixed pork with sugar by mistake. Under Su’s guide, students mixed pork, sugar and other ingredients properly and then steamed them. To their surprise, it turned out to be a delicious dish with distinctive flavor. From then on, Dongpo sweet steamed pork won wide popularity.

Source: en.hubei.gov.cn