A Famous Liaocheng Delicacy

— An Unbroken Legacy — Hollow Glazed Sweet Balls

Liaocheng, a waterside city north of the Yangtze, awakened by the Grand Canal. The flowing waters not only brought bustling trade and commerce, but also nourished a sweet delicacy deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of western Shandong — Hollow Glazed Sweet Balls. As a time‑honoured signature dish of Liaocheng, Hollow Glazed Sweet Balls stand as a precious culinary treasure embodying a century‑old craftsmanship. Boasting distinctive techniques and a delightful sweet‑and‑crisp flavour, it is deeply rooted in the folk life of the Grand Canal.

Originating from folk‑wedding banquets, this delicacy was originally solid‑centred before the Qing Dynasty. In the first year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, the time‑honoured Liaocheng firm Yi’ancheng achieved a breakthrough with consummate craftsmanship. Relying solely on precise heat control, its chefs made the balls turn hollow naturally while deep‑frying. Since then, this dessert has shone as a distinctive pearl in the treasure‑house of Shandong Cuisine.

A century‑old craft, upheld by four generations. The Gao family, using oil as ink and the ladle as brush, has penned a legacy of flavour: From establishing the signature technique of “double‑frying for hollowing” to perfecting the “triple‑frying for crispness” method, they have elevated the dish to new heights of texture.

Over time, accolades have followed. From being selected as a “Representative Dish of Liaocheng” to being featured at a Ministry of Foreign Affairs global promotional event; from being named among the “Top 60 Intangible Cultural Heritage Delicacies of Shandong” to winning the title of “Best Intangible Cultural Heritage Snack of Qilu”…

Far more than merely a dish, these sweet balls have come to embody the travelling flavour of Liaocheng — a crisp‑and‑sweet calling‑card for the city. It is not only a fruit of folk wisdom born along the Grand Canal, but also a living memory of Western‑Shandong culinary culture. To preserve this century‑old flavour is to safeguard a living, breathing piece of history and a tangible, taste‑able nostalgia.

While the ball is hollow‑centred, it carries sincere, craft‑driven devotion. With every crisp bite, you may hear the flowing time‑honoured story of Liaocheng and its unbroken heritage.