Tucked in a traditional Taizhou residence dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Wanghai Yaju in Hailing district stands as a designated standard demonstration store for Taizhou morning tea, striking a perfect balance between preserving time-honored local flavors and rolling out creative, one-of-a-kind pastries.
Wanghai Yaju is tucked in a traditional Taizhou residence dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Its all-time top-sellers, including shrimp steamed dumplings, juicy soup dumplings and shepherd's purse shaomai, have long won customers' hearts with their classic tender wrappers and rich, savory broth that have been passed down for a century.
What makes it stand out from numerous neighborhood teahouses are two exclusive signature treats: the lily-jujube paste bun filled with mellow, subtly sweet Lanzhou lily, and the labor-intensive black rice shaomai made through multiple complex processes including steaming, sun-drying, and steeping in natural black rice tree sap to gain its unique color and fragrant flavor.
The lily-jujube paste bun at Wanghai Yaju. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
The black rice shaomai at Wanghai Yaju. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Sticking to the principle of honoring traditions while making subtle, thoughtful innovations, the shop strictly keeps its handmade stuffing ratio a secret and sources all fresh ingredients locally, receiving daily deliveries.
With average customer spending of just over 10 yuan ($1.49), it draws over 600 diners on regular mornings and more than 1,000 during holidays. Served amid the old-style courtyard, classic Taizhou wooden beams and lattice windows, a meal here delivers both the comforting taste of morning tea and a deep, immersive experience of the city's historical residence culture.
