Take a cake walk
We all know and love cake,
but Taiwan presents a whole new way of enjoying this baked goodie some
savoury too
Ask a Taiwanese about
hisher meat preference and the response is like ly to be, “Anything that
moves!“ And true enough, the choice of meats that the state offers can test
even the hardy carnivores among us. But this East Asian jewel has a well-kept
secret the world of Taiwanese cakes. From meat ball cakes, egg yolk filled pancakes,
dumpling cakes, rice cakes to green tea cakes this baked goodie comes in many
shapes and sizes here. The main influences range from Mainland Chinese,
Japanese to European there's a cake for every occasion and time of the day.
And their names, or rather English names, are as fascinating as the
preparations.
MOON CAKE AND SUNCAKE
Moon cakes or round
pastries with a red bean or a lotus seed paste filling and yolks of duck eggs
used to be a Cantonese speciality served during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now,
they are available the year round at any good bakery here.There are ample
variants of traditional moon cake with the new variants filled with green tea,
chocolate, sweet fruit and tiramisu. While moon cake is a common Chinese
delicacy, suncake is a true-blue Taiwanese treat. The typical suncake filling
consists of maltose (condensed malt sugar), and is sold in special gift boxes
as souvenirs. It has a flaky crust and pairs well with Chinese tea. You can
even dissolve it in hot water to make a porridge-like dessert.
WHEEL CAKE AND WIFE CAKE
Wheel cake is a local
pancake that can be found at almost every night market in Taiwan. This fast
food is available in sweet or savoury fillings ranging from peanut butter, cream
and red bean paste and literally sells like hot cakes! Competing with cake for
popularity is the wife cake or laopo bing a pastry with winter melon and
almond paste filling. Enjoy this wife cake with tales about how a husband came
up with the recipe.
PINEAPPLE CAKE AND RICE CAKE
A pineapple pastry with
butter, egg yolk sugar and pineapple jam filling is one of the most popular and
staple desserts of Taiwan.
It's a common after-meal
dessert. Supermarkets and grocery stores too offer packed pineapple cakes. The
rice cake, signifying Japanese influence, is like a dim sum made with sweet
rice dough and stuffed with veggies.
PIG BLOOD CAKE
This may sound outlandish
but is a yummy treat that you'd not forget in a hurry.It's a night market
staple. Made with pork blood and rice, this cake is served on a stick.You can
dip it in a soy sauce and sprinkle powdered peanut on it.
TEA TIME
Tea is an essential part of
Taiwanese culture. There are tea houses that tell you about the tea and its
links to the history and culture of the island. You can also take a tea-making
masterclass here.
HAUTE HOT POT
A simmering broth pot is
set in the middle of your table with accompaniments (meats, veg gies and
seasonings) on the side.
Make your own soup right in
front of you. Locals prefer cuts like chicken feet and head too.
NIGHT BINGE
Night markets in Taiwan are
a must-do shopping and bingeing experience.Kenting and Tahoe are the go-to
hotspots.
ADD CHARMS TO YOUR LIFE
Shop for lucky charms here.
There are ample trinkets available to ward off the evil eye, bring in good
luck, for health and wealth, and even lasting marriages.
Nausheen Tareen
TL13NOV16
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