Shaomai, also known as shumai, is a kind of traditional Chinese dumpling which originated from Inner Mongolia autonomous region in the latter years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Shumai has since been introduced to all provinces and regions in China.

Differing from shaomai in other regions of China that contain pork mince, Hohhot shaomai mainly consists of chopped or minced mutton, scallion and ginger.

According to historical records, the roasted wheat originated from the teahouses in Hohhot.

It was brought to Beijing and Tianjin when Shanxi merchants started a historic population migration called zou xi kou -- or crossing the west ferry -- from Shanxi province to Inner Mongolia.