Pork-Offal Casserole with Wine Lees 糟钵头
Pork-Offal Casserole with Wine Lees is featured among the local specialties of Shanghai.
Zao botou (糟钵头) is a Shanghai dish of pork offal slowly cooked and flavoured with aromatic wine lees. Its name refers to a savoury preparation rather than a grain pudding.
How it is prepared
The Shanghai Civil Affairs historical account describes pork offal simmered gently in water, followed by wine-lees seasoning. The exact selection of offal is a kitchen choice and should be confirmed before ordering.
Flavour & texture
Its distinguishing combination is tender offal and a pronounced fermented aroma. Different organs have different textures; diners who enjoy one cut may not enjoy every ingredient in a mixed serving.
Local context & naming
The dish is associated with Dexing Restaurant and Shanghai's local cooking. This association is useful for recognising the name, without requiring the celebrity dining stories sometimes repeated about it.
Ordering this dish
Ask which pork organs are included and whether the serving is a shared casserole. Mention any ingredients you prefer to avoid before the dish is prepared.
At the table
Take a small sample of each cut and some broth to understand the textures. Pairing a shared portion with rice and a vegetable dish can make a more balanced tasting order.
Ingredients to check
Contains pork offal and fermented wine ingredients. Check the stock and other seasonings; it should not be labelled vegetarian, halal or alcohol-free from its appearance.
More dishes to compare
Explore related local specialties and compare their names, preparation notes and ordering guidance.
Fish-Head Casserole with Wine-Lees Broth 砂锅糟香鱼头 →
Wine-lees fish-head casserole (砂锅糟香鱼头) combines tender fish-head meat with a broth scented by fermented rice-wine lees. It is a hot soup-style dish associated with Shanghai cooking.
Alfalfa Greens with Pork Intestines 草头圈子 →
Caotou quanzi (草头圈子) pairs alfalfa greens with pork large intestines. The name hides an important ingredient: quanzi refers to the rings of intestine, so this is not simply a plate of green vegetables.
Questions before you order
Is zao botou a dessert made from sweet rice wine?
No. This Shanghai entry is a savoury pork-offal preparation seasoned with wine lees; it is distinct from sweet 酒酿 desserts.
Sources & reading
Identity and the described preparation checked against the linked sources on 9 September 2026. Named chef, maker and home recipes are documented examples, not universal restaurant specifications. Serving and ordering suggestions are editorial guidance. No recipe testing, exclusive origin, current availability or dietary certification is claimed.
Recipes and servings vary between kitchens.