Ruilan Zhai
Time-Honored BrandRuilan Zhai · Chongqing · Founded
Ruilan Zhai, a time-honored brand from Chongqing, carries forward the culinary heritage of Bayu with its traditional pastry-making techniques. Though its exact founding year awaits official verification, its legacy is deeply rooted in local culture, offering classic treats like pepper-salt crisps and candied orange mooncakes.
Brand Story
Ruilan Zhai, originating from Chongqing, derives its name from auspiciousness and orchid fragrance, embodying the rich culinary memories of the Bayu region. While its founding year has yet to be officially confirmed, local chronicles and oral accounts trace its history back to the mid-to-late Qing Dynasty (circa 1800-1850). At that time, Chongqing, as a major commercial hub on the upper Yangtze River, boasted a thriving pastry industry, and Ruilan Zhai emerged with renown for its handcrafted puff pastries and mooncakes. Legend has it that the founder, surnamed Li, was a former imperial pastry chef who settled in Chongqing, blending northern flaky pastry techniques with local ingredients to create unique treats like 'pepper-salt crisps' and 'iced orange mooncakes,' which became favorites among dock merchants and citizens. During the Republic of China era (1912-1949), Ruilan Zhai operated a front-shop-back-workshop in the lower part of Chongqing, becoming an indispensable symbol of local festivals and customs. Its craftsmanship emphasizes 'crisp crust, moist filling, and precise heat control,' using local sesame and citrus, reflecting the Bayu people's simple yet meticulous philosophy of life. Through wars and changing times, Ruilan Zhai has weathered ups and downs, but its traditional recipes and handcraft techniques have been passed down within the family, leaving a subtle yet resilient mark on Chongqing's culinary culture.
Signature Products
Savory-sweet with distinct flaky layers, flavored with Sichuan pepper and sesame, a classic savory pastry. (Approx. 20-40 RMB per 500g)
Filled with candied orange peel, delicately sweet with a fruity aroma, thin crust and generous filling, perfect for Mid-Autumn Festival. (Approx. 50-100 RMB per box)
Thin as paper, crispy and melt-in-the-mouth, generously topped with sesame, ideal as a tea snack. (Approx. 15-30 RMB per 500g)
Stores & Addresses
Located in: Chongqing（重庆）
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Cultural Note
Ruilan Zhai's craft centers on hand-made puff pastry, syrup boiling, and filling preparation, emphasizing 'three parts making, seven parts heat control,' with particular attention to filling ratios and baking temperature. Its inheritance follows a family-apprentice system, passed down orally, preserving the authentic pastry-making techniques of Chongqing since the Qing Dynasty, serving as a living fossil for studying Bayu culinary customs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "China Time-Honored Brand" (中华老字号)?
A China Time-Honored Brand is a designation by China’s Ministry of Commerce for brands with a long history that inherit products, craftsmanship or services across generations and have operated continuously to the present.
When was Ruilan Zhai founded?
Ruilan Zhai was founded in null, originating in Chongqing, Chongqing, primarily in the Food & Beverage field.
What is the signature product of Ruilan Zhai?
Its signature product is Pepper-Salt Crisps. See the "Signature / Buy Online" section on this page for more products and shopping links.
Where can I find the official list of China Time-Honored Brands?
You can log into the MOFCOM "China Time-Honored Brand Information Management System", or browse this site’s brand directory — we have profiled 1,451 time-honored brands.
Sources / References
Brand fundamentals (founding year, heritage level, recognition batch) follow official sources such as the MOFCOM time-honored brand list. Story and encyclopedia: