At the table
Eat warm, allowing the centre to cool before biting. Break a cake into smaller pieces if you prefer. Share a few as a snack or a sweet finish to a meal.
The selected sweet potato, glutinous rice flour, sugar, sesame and plant-oil version is vegetarian and vegan. Other recipes may contain egg or dairy, so confirm the batter, filling and frying oil. Contains sesame; wheat flour or breadcrumbs may add gluten, and peanut oil is used in some versions. Do not assume gluten-free preparation from the rice flour alone. Ask about shared utensils and cooking surfaces if you have allergies.
Flour proportions and sweetness vary. Some versions add wheat flour, egg, milk or milk powder, use a cheese filling or breadcrumb coating, or mix in candied winter melon. Peanut oil may replace another plant oil. These additions are not required in the plain sesame version; ask whether a cake is sweet or savoury and filled or unfilled.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Flour proportions and sweetness vary. Some versions add wheat flour, egg, milk or milk powder, use a cheese filling or breadcrumb coating, or mix in candied winter melon. Peanut oil may replace another plant oil. These additions are not required in the plain sesame version; ask whether a cake is sweet or savoury and filled or unfilled.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Sweet potato and a little added sugar give a mellow sweetness, with toasted sesame and a browned pan-fried aroma. The selected sweet version contains no chilli.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- A lightly crisp sesame surface surrounds a soft, moist, slightly chewy centre. These are flattened patties, not hollow balls or fluffy bread; the glutinous rice flour gives them their gentle chew.
- How it’s made
- Steam peeled sweet potato until soft and mash it. Mix with sugar and glutinous rice flour to make a pliable dough, adding a little water only if needed. Shape into small discs, press on sesame seeds and pan-fry in plant oil until both sides are golden.
Flour proportions and sweetness vary. Some versions add wheat flour, egg, milk or milk powder, use a cheese filling or breadcrumb coating, or mix in candied winter melon. Peanut oil may replace another plant oil. These additions are not required in the plain sesame version; ask whether a cake is sweet or savoury and filled or unfilled.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Hunan.
About this regional connection
Hunan: Hunan archives names hongshubing in Changsha snack repertoire;representative recipe not asserted as exclusive Hunan formula.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有红薯饼吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Sweet potato shaped into a small cake
In Changsha, sweet potato cakes sit alongside many other small snacks. The mashed version turns cooked sweet potato into a soft dough that can be shaped and pan-fried. Cooks also make them elsewhere in China, varying the flour, coating and filling.