Shumai, also known as Shaomai, is a kind of traditional Chinese dumpling, which originated from Inner Mongolia autonomous region in the latter years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Shumai has since been introduced to all provinces and regions in China.

Differing from shaomai in other regions of China that contains pork mince, Baotou shaomai mainly consists of chopped or minced mutton, scallion and ginger.

Baotou shumai has a thin wrapper made of unleavened dough. The filling mainly consists of chopped or minced mutton, scallion and ginger. [Photo/Baotou Daily]