Chinese Soup Ladle (Sháo)

A deep, round-bowled ladle used for serving soup and broth-based dishes from a communal pot, typically smaller and more rounded than Western soup ladles.

Material & Construction

Ceramic, ceramic-and-wood, or stainless steel, with a rounded bowl deep enough for a single generous portion and a short handle suited to a communal table setting.

Traditional Uses

Serving soup at the table into individual bowls, and occasionally used to portion sauce or broth over rice or noodle dishes.

Modern Availability / Equivalents

Any standard soup ladle is functionally equivalent; the rounded ceramic version remains common specifically for hotpot and communal soup service.

Care & Maintenance

Standard hand-wash care; ceramic versions should be checked periodically for hairline cracks that can harbor bacteria.