Exploring Chinese Cuisine Through Li Ziqi’s Nostalgic Hometown Sentiment: Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Zongzi

When it comes to Li Ziqi, most people are familiar with her—she's a YouTube influencer with millions of followers, and her fans span across China and even the United States. What many people love about her isn't just her culinary skills or beautiful life but also her deep love for her family and homeland.

Today, I’d like to take inspiration from Li Ziqi's wonderful life to introduce a traditional Chinese dish: Zngzi , or rice dumplings.

Zongzi is one of the most iconic traditional foods in China, especially during the Dragon Boat Festival. Its fame is tied to the historical figure Qu Yuan. According to legend, after Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River, the people of Chu (his home state) threw sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river to prevent fish and shrimp from eating his body. This story has been widely passed down since the Wei and Jin dynasties. As Confucian culture spread, the customs of commemorating Qu Yuan's loyalty and the eating of zongzi during the Dragon Boat Festival merged. Over time, zongzi evolved from a sacrificial offering to a popular food symbol, and eating zongzi during the festival became a nationwide tradition.

Li Ziqi makes Bamboo Shoot Alkali Rice Dumplings, a variation that uses a special type of alkaline water to enhance the flavor. The main ingredients are sticky rice, pork, homemade salted egg yolks, bamboo shoots, cotton twine, and more. Here's how Li Ziqi prepares her zongzi:

1. Soak the sticky rice: First, rinse the sticky rice thoroughly and soak it for a while. After draining, mix it with some dark soy sauce and salt, then let it sit to absorb the flavors.

2. Marinate the pork: Cut the pork belly into chunks, place them in an airtight container, and marinate them with soy sauce, white wine, white sugar, dark soy sauce, and salt. It’s best to refrigerate the meat for 8 hours.

3. Prepare the salted egg yolks: Take salted egg yolks and spray them lightly with white wine to remove any unpleasant odor.

4. Boil the bamboo shoots: Boil the bamboo shoots in hot water for 5 minutes, then wash them clean.

5. Wrap the zongzi: Take two pieces of bamboo leaves and place them back-to-back, forming a funnel shape with no gaps at the bottom. Add a layer of sticky rice to the funnel (about 1/3 full) and press it down firmly. Then, add a piece of marinated pork and a salted egg yolk (or two if you're using double yolk eggs), placing them in the center. Add another layer of rice, pressing it down until the funnel is almost full. Fold the excess leaves over the rice and pinch the edges to form a neat, four-cornered zongzi. Tie it tightly with cotton twine, wrapping it from bottom to top to prevent it from falling apart during cooking.

6. Cook the zongzi: Place the wrapped zongzi into a pot, cover them with cold water, and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours until fully cooked.

Once the zongzi is ready, the outer rice is soft and savory, soaked in the juices from the pork and egg yolk. The middle layer of pork belly is tender and balanced between fat and lean, melting in your mouth without being greasy. The salted egg yolk in the center is rich and flavorful, with a smooth, golden oil that adds depth to every bite.

I recommend pairing this with green tea or jasmine tea, which helps cut through the richness and adds a refreshing fragrance to the dish.

If you’d like to taste the delicious salted egg yolk zongzi, there are two ways to enjoy it. One is to visit Sichuan and try the authentic version, or you can follow the ingredients and steps I’ve shared and try making it yourself. I’m sure that once you successfully prepare zongzi, you’ll be the pride of your family.

In China, zongzi represents unity. It’s a symbolic food that connects individuals, families, and even the nation, carrying with it the Chinese people’s deep affection for "home" and "roots." In following Li Ziqi, we see how much she loves her grandmother and her homeland. I believe that making zongzi is Li Ziqi’s way of expressing the desire to reunite with her grandmother. It also serves as a symbol of her longing for a beautiful and peaceful life.