It is a snack in Shaanxi.

Mutton steamed buns, also known as mutton steamed buns, also known as "Yangkan" in ancient times, are a delicious Han-style delicacy in Guanzhong, originating from Gushi Town, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province. It is cooked finely, with heavy ingredients and mellow taste. The meat is rotten but not greasy, rich in nutrients, fragrant and appetizing, leaving endless aftertaste after eating.

Su Shi, the famous poet of the Northern Song Dynasty, left a poem: "Long cuisine has bear wax, Qin cuisine only has sheep soup". Because it warms the stomach and resists hunger, it has always been loved by the people of Shaanxi. Foreign guests coming to Shaanxi also rush to taste it first to satisfy their appetite. Mutton steamed bun has become the "general representative" of Shaanxi's famous food.

Origin legend

In the past, mutton steamed buns were invented as tribute to the emperor's diet. In ancient times, they were called "yokan". A poet in the Song Dynasty wrote a poem: "Long cuisine has bear wax. Qin cooks only yokan." The history of yokan can be traced back to the 11th century BC, when it was also listed as a ceremonial meal for kings and princes.

Mutton steamed buns were first served as a ritual dish in the Western Zhou Dynasty and have a long history. According to historical records, mutton steamed buns evolved from ancient yokan. Many ancient documents, such as "Book of Rites" and pre-Qin scholars, have mentioned mutton soup. Initially, it was mostly used for sacrifices and palace banquets. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, mutton soup was listed as a ceremonial meal for kings and princes.

"Warring States Policy" records that the king of Zhongshan angered Sima Ziqi because of a cup of yokan, and left Chu in anger, saying that the king of Chu attacked Zhongshan and brought about the fate of the country. According to the "Book of Song" records: During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Mao Xiuzhi presented yokan to Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty because it was delicious. Emperor Wu actually made the prisoner Xiuzhi a Taiguan Shi, and later he was promoted to Minister Guanglu.

In the Sui Dynasty, "Xi Gong Wuhu Yokan" appeared (Xie Xi's "Shi Jing"). This should be the original cooking method of mixing mutton soup and pasta. According to literature records, both the imperial court and the shops in the Tang Dynasty were good at making soup. "Go to the kitchen for three days, wash your hands and make soup." Yokan, a soup made from mutton, is the prototype of today's mutton steamed buns.