Eating in China
Gaoba in starch soup

Gaoba in starch soup

糕粑稀饭Gāo bā xī fàn

A sweet Guiyang snack with a small steamed rice cake in a thick, translucent starch soup. Despite its name, gaoba xifan is not rice porridge. Break up the cake with a spoon and mix it into the warm bowl.

Heat
Region
Guizhou
Type
Sweets
Street food
Order in Chinese

At the table

How to enjoy it

Break the cake with a spoon and stir it into the warm soup. Ask which toppings are included.

A useful check

May contain peanuts and sesame. Take care with hot soup and sticky cake; confirm additions.

How it may vary

The two starches are alternatives. Sweetened rose, peanuts, sesame and candied winter melon are optional toppings.

GET TO KNOW THE DISH

What goes into it?

Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.

The two starches are alternatives. Sweetened rose, peanuts, sesame and candied winter melon are optional toppings.

Recipes vary by restaurant.

How does it taste?

Sweet, with a floral aroma when rose sugar is added.

Chili heat
Texture
Soft steamed cake in a smooth, thick starch soup.
How it’s made
Rice flour and glutinous rice flour are steamed into a cake and served in sweet lotus-root or water-chestnut starch soup.

The two starches are alternatives. Sweetened rose, peanuts, sesame and candied winter melon are optional toppings.

A CONNECTION TO PLACE

Origin & regional roots

Explore regional food

Its origins are linked to Guizhou.

About this regional connection

Guizhou: Named as a traditional Guiyang snack. Qingyan, in Guiyang, sells it to visitors from street stalls.

Ask if they have it first

ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE

请问你们有糕粑稀饭吗?

Do you have this item?

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

Gaoba in starch soup

In Guiyang, this sweet bowl pairs steamed rice cake with thick starch soup. Break up the cake before eating; xifan here does not mean rice porridge.

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