[Video/chinadaily.com.cn]

"My mom makes steamed buns." For Yuan Shanshan's son, that is simply what his mother does.

But behind those steamed buns is a story of changing careers, preserving tradition and finding new possibilities in everyday food.

At a creative steamed-bun shop in Baihuazhou Historical and Cultural Block in Jinan, Shandong province, Yuan is giving the familiar local staple a fresh look.

In her hands, traditional steamed buns take on a variety of creative designs, from zodiac animals and vegetables to lion-dance figures. 

For Yuan, it is not simply about making buns look different, but about bringing a familiar part of Shandong life into new settings and making traditional craftsmanship more accessible to younger generations.

Born in 1986 in Jining, Yuan worked in the pharmaceutical industry before making a career switch. In 2025, she opened Yongqi Mantou workshop in Baihuazhou, where she began exploring new ways to present traditional steamed buns.

For Yuan, choosing steamed buns as the focus of her business was a natural decision. Also known as mantou, they are a staple food in northern China where they are deeply rooted in everyday life, especially in Shandong.

"Steamed buns are a part of everyday life, and they are very representative of Shandong," Yuan said, adding the buns also carry a dough-sculpting tradition passed down for more than 3,000 years. 

She combines traditional dough-sculpting techniques with natural colors made from vegetable juices and contemporary designs. Some of her buns are shaped like flowers and zodiac animals, while others draw inspiration from traditional Chinese elements. 

Yuan sees creativity and joy in transforming something as ordinary as a steamed bun. "There's something quite romantic about that," she said.

At her shop, steamed buns are no longer limited to festive occasions. They can be paired with tea and coffee, while visitors can also join flower-bun making sessions and learn about traditional food culture and intangible cultural heritage. More than 10 sessions can be held each month based on demand, attracting both adults and children.

The business has also shown that traditional craftsmanship can have commercial potential. One of her best-selling products is a 25-centimeter flower bun inspired by traditional hair ornaments, priced at 136 yuan ($20.30). She said that in the month leading up to the 2026 Spring Festival, offline sales of her steamed-bun gift boxes exceeded 500,000 yuan.

In April, Yuan was among the first 28 young shop owners in Jinan to be recognized as 

E-category professional talents alongside doctoral and master's degree holders. 

The recognition is part of Jinan's "Quancheng Youth Store" initiative, launched in November 2025 to tap into the potential of the small-business economy and encourage young people to innovate and start businesses. 

As an E-category high-level talent, Yuan is eligible for a range of support, including housing, children's education, healthcare and entrepreneurship assistance, as well as a transportation card that provides free bus and subway rides for three years.

When Yuan was first encouraged to apply for the talent recognition, she never expected to receive it. "Talent recognition felt very far away from us. We thought we would just give it a try," she said.

The recognition moved her deeply. "This recognition made me feel that Jinan was telling me, 'You are doing well. You are doing a good job,' " she added.

Now, Yuan has a different way to describe what she does when talking to her son.

"I can proudly tell my son that his mom is not just the mom who makes steamed buns. I became a recognized talent in Jinan by making steamed buns," she said. "No matter what you do, if you are willing to work hard and do it well, you can earn recognition," she added.

Yuan Shanshan, owner of Yongqi Mantou workshop, shows her pet-shaped steamed buns. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Yongqi Mantou workshop at Baihuazhou Historical and Cultural Block in Jinan, Shandong province. The store was included in Jinan's "Quancheng Youth Store" program in 2025. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

An elaborately crafted steamed bun inspired by China's traditional lion dance. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Yuan Shanshan teaches eager learners how to make lion-shaped steamed buns on Aug 28. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]