Yeerba (Leaf-Wrapped Steamed Dumpling)

Brief Introduction

Yeerba, also known as Zhuerba or Yuerba, is a traditional snack originating from Yibin, Sichuan province, China. It is renowned for its unique wrapping in banana leaves, ginger leaves, or other large leafy greens, and its soft and sticky texture. The filling typically consists of a sweet or savory mixture, often including ingredients like rice flour, sugar, pork, and pickled vegetable (a specialty in Yibin known as yacai).
Yeerba (Leaf-Wrapped Steamed Dumpling)

Cuisine

Chinese Cuisine: Specifically from the Sichuan region, known for its spicy and numbing dishes, though Yeerba itself is not spicy but rather sweet or savory.

Taste

Sweet or Savory: Yeerba comes in both sweet and savory varieties. The sweet version is often made with rice flour, sugar, and other sweeteners. The savory version includes ingredients like pork and pickled vegetable, providing a rich and savory flavor.
Sticky & Tender: The texture of the dough is sticky and tender, enhanced by the steaming process.
Aromatic: The wrapping leaves add a fresh and aromatic flavor to the dish.

Specialties

Leaf Wrapping: The use of banana leaves, ginger leaves, or other large leafy greens to wrap the dumplings gives Yeerba its unique appearance and adds an extra layer of flavor.
Varied Fillings: Both sweet and savory fillings are available, catering to different tastes.
Steamed Cooking Method: Steaming preserves the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients.

Ingredients

Wrapping Leaves: Banana leaves, ginger leaves, or other large leafy greens.
Dough: Rice flour, water, and sometimes other ingredients like sugar or oil for sweetness and texture.
Filling:
- For sweet versions: Sugar, sesame seeds, red bean paste, etc.
- For savory versions: Ground pork, pickled vegetable (yacai), garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and other seasonings.

Authentic Locations

Yibin, Sichuan Province: As the birthplace of Yeerba, Yibin offers numerous street stalls and restaurants serving up authentic versions of this dish. Visitors can enjoy the traditional taste of Yeerba wrapped in ginger leaves and filled with pork and pickled vegetable.

Glossary

Chinese	English
叶儿耙	Yeerba (Leaf-Wrapped Steamed Dumpling)
猪儿粑	Zhuerba (another name for Yeerba)
鸭儿粑	Yuerba (another variant name)
糯米粉	Glutinous rice flour
芽菜	Pickled vegetable (Yacai)
猪肉	Pork
香蕉叶	Banana leaf
良姜叶	Ginger leaf
甜馅	Sweet filling
咸馅	Savory filling
蒸制	Steaming