The going-out way

Ma's brisk business in liangpi has attracted many people in and out of the city.

"Some people come to ask about opening a franchised outlet," Ma said.

Until now, Ma has authorized three franchised outlets – in Shizuishan of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Wenzhou of Zhejiang province and Shenzhen of Guangdong province.

"Liangpi is highly sought after in Shenzhen as the young man who learned from me has opened four branch stores in Shenzhen," she said.

These years many more people come to ask about learning how to make liangpi, and Ma said she would teach them selflessly as her fellow villager did.

Liangpi is not only a savory Chinese folk food, but also a delicacy popular with foreigners.

"Foreigners living in the city often come to eat liangpi," Ma said. "Some are from the United States, and I know one from the UK."

Lingjiuwuer, which literally means "0952", the area code for Shizuishan city, is a liangpi brand originating from the city and it has spread Ningxia's culinary culture to the United States.

More than 20 sites for liangpi pickup can be found in Sunnyvale city, California, as customers need to book online before picking up orders.

As Ma said, liangpi can't be preserved overnight or even vacuum-packed, so it cannot be delivered or sold across provinces.

"If we want to spread such a delicious folk food to the world, we have to spread the skills for making it," she added.