Tang Yuan, literally meaning “round balls in soup”, is a traditional Chinese dessert made from glutinous rice flour and sweet fillings which are mixed with sugar, lard, walnuts, black sesames, osmanthus flowers and rose petals, or red bean, peanut or jujube pastes.
The Chengdu Lai Tang Yuan Restaurant was launched by Mr. Lai Yuanxin, owner of the restaurant, on Chunxi Road in downtown Chengdu in the 1930s. Since 1894, Mr. Lai had been operating a street stall making and selling Tang Yuan in the city.
As one of the most famous and popular local snack brands in Chengdu, the Lai Tang Yuan Restaurant was recognized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China as a “Time-honored Food Brand in China” in 2006.

Lai Tang Yuan features its large variety of fillings, different shapes (round, pointed, oval, pillow-shaped) and special flavor. Pretty tasty, a little bite pushes the stuffing out and the skin is chewy without sticking to the teeth.

Special recommendations: Lai Tang Yuan (8 yuan/bowl for 8 glutinous rice balls) and special set menus (30 yuan for 12 courses and 40 yuan for 17 courses)

Headquarters of Lai Tang Yuan Restaurant: 27 Zongfu Road, Jinjiang District (the restaurant has lots of outlets across the city which are easy to find)