CHENGDU, September 25, 2019 (Press Release)

Chengdu certainly has a unique variety of snacks, but few are as theatrical in their preparation as the famous San Da Pao, a snack with a name that literally translates to ‘Three Big Gun Shots’. 

Americans John Isner and Bradley Klahn visited the Social Restaurant at the official tournament hotel of St. Regis Chengdu this morning to try their hands at the art of making this popular street food.

Decked out in chef gear and guided by the restaurant chef, the duo first mixed together the ingredients of glutinous rice dough, soy powder and brown sugar into a ball.

They were then required to bounce three of these glutinous balls off a drum lined with cymbal saucers and into a rattan basket laced with soy power. The sound made by the drum and the clanging saucers when the three balls bounce off is how the food derives its name. 

Both players had no issue executing the task and were also provided chocolate icing with which to decorate their dessert plates before they tucked into the food. 

“We cooked the very authentic Chengdu sticky rice balls and bounced them off the drum set. It was very very good. I enjoy different cultures and foods. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really started to enjoy all the places that I go to. As tennis pros, we’re very lucky to get out and explore really the whole world. It’s my first time in Chengdu so I’m glad I got to do this,” said Isner.