Yao is not the first creative mind to arrive at Markthalle Neun via one diversions or another. Born in Beijing, she first studied fine art and later communication design in Berlin, where she then chose ‘Chao Teahouse’ as her graduation project. A final thesis turned dream finally became reality. She opened her Chinese tea room in 2020. ‘At first, I tried to present the Chinese tea ceremony to my guests in my tea shop. Later, I realised that people are always looking for something to eat while drinking tea.’ She started making sweet and savoury specialities, which she has been producing and selling in our Markthalle Neun since 2022. With nimble hands, Yao and her employees roll, mould, press and fill dough, meat and green tea fillings into artistically decorated treats.