At the table
Eat warm in small bites; the cake can crumble.
The filling may be hot. Check the bean paste ingredients if avoiding animal fats.
Rice flour is the base, but vegetarian or vegan suitability depends on the filling.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Fillings and moulds vary. The selected version uses red-bean paste.
Typical ingredients
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Mild rice sweetness and sweet bean paste.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Soft, fine and slightly crumbly rather than stretchy like mochi.
- How it’s made
- Moistened rice flour and glutinous-rice flour are mixed with sugar and red yeast rice coloring, sifted, moulded around bean paste and steamed.
Fillings and moulds vary. The selected version uses red-bean paste.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Zhejiang.
About this regional connection
Zhejiang: Hangzhou selectedversion.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有定胜糕吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A name wishing for success
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Dingsheng means certain victory. In Hangzhou, these cakes are given for auspicious occasions such as exams, weddings and moving home; origin stories are legends.
