Wheel Pie
 | |
| Alternative names | Wheelcake |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Taiwan |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Batter, sweet azuki bean paste |
| Variations | Imagawayaki |
Wheel Pie, also known as Wheel Cake (Chinese: 車輪餅; pinyin: chēlún bǐng) and commonly known as "Red Bean Cake" (Chinese: 紅豆餅; pinyin: hongdou bǐng) by locals,[1][2] is a popular Taiwanese dessert that consists of a round, pancake-like pastry with sweet or savory fillings. Named for its wheel-like shape, it is common in night markets, street stalls, and bakeries throughout Taiwan.[3]
Wheel pies have gained popularity in other countries, including Singapore,[4] United States,[5][6][7] Vietnam,[8][9] France,[10] and United Kingdom.[11][12][13]
History
[edit]Wheel pies are thought to be derived from the Japanese dessert imagawayaki (今川焼き), which was introduced to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era (1895–1945). While influenced by its Japanese counterpart, wheel pies have since evolved to include distinctly Taiwanese flavours and adaptations. The dessert has become a staple snack enjoyed by people of all ages.[14]
Distinct local characteristics of Taiwanese wheel pies are its often smaller in size, and wider variety of fillings, including both sweet and savory options less common in Japan.[15] Additionally, Taiwanese vendors frequently experiment with modern flavors, such as matcha, salted egg yolk custard, and mochi, making wheel pies a more versatile snack. The cooking methods and batter recipes may also differ slightly, resulting in wheel pies having a softer and fluffier mouthfeel compared to the denser imagawayaki.[16][17]
Preparation
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Wheel pies are made using a pancake batter poured into a circular mold on a specialized griddle. The batter is cooked until it forms a golden-brown shell. A generous amount of filling is placed in the center, then another layer of batter is poured on top before the two halves are sealed together. The result is a fluffy, round pastry with a rich filling.[18]
Common fillings
[edit]Common fillings can be roughly divided into sweet fillings and savory fillings. Sweet fillings include red bean, custard cream, chocolate, peanut butter, and taro; while savory fillings include dried radish and shredded radish. In detailed:[19][20][21][22]
- Sweet:
- Red Bean Paste (紅豆泥): A traditional and most popular filling made from sweetened adzuki beans.
- Custard Cream (卡士達醬): A popular filling with creamy, sweet custard that provides a smooth texture.
- Chocolate (巧克力): A rich filling often favored by children.
- Peanut Butter (花生醬): A nutty, savory-sweet filling.
- Taro Paste (芋頭泥): A filling made from mashed taro, offering a mildly sweet and earthy flavor.
- Savory:
- Dried radish (菜脯): A popular variation with dried preserved radish.
- Shredded radish (蘿蔔絲): A popular variation with strips of radish.
- Cheese and Corn (起司玉米): A popular variation with melted cheese and corn kernels.
- Ham and Cheese (火腿起司): A fusion blending Western flavors.
Modern interpretations of wheel pies include innovative fillings such as matcha, mochi, salted egg yolk custard, and Earl Grey milk tea.[23] Some vendors also create designs for specific holidays, incorporating unique shapes or decorations into the batter.[24]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "到底叫「車輪餅」還是「紅豆餅」？網友正名大亂鬥". 聯合新聞網 (in Chinese). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ 李偉麟. "吃紅豆餅，先認識車輪餅！". 台灣高鐵車上刊物TLife (2019–05). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ "Taiwanese Desserts: 15 Traditional Sweets You Need to Try in Taiwan". Will Fly for Food. November 9, 2024.
- ^ Yeo, Kaye; Leong, Marcus (November 20, 2023). "Famous wheel pie brand from Taiwan opens in Singapore with over 11 unique flavours like Taiwan yam, earl grey custard, Milo custard, lobster salad & more". Confirm Good.
- ^ Rahmanan, Anna (2021-05-07). "Eat an endless amount of Taiwanese-style wheel pies at this new spot in Flushing". Time Out.
- ^ "Wheel pie makes splash at banquet in Washington". Taipei Times. October 10, 2017.
- ^ Nazar, Julian (April 5, 2024). "Money Cake to open its first US location in Queens". The Business Journals.
- ^ "Rebranded as 'UFO cakes' Taiwanese delicacy is cherished by Vietnamese". Taipei Times. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "We come in pieces: 'Taiwanese UFO pancake' lands in Vietnam". Focus Taiwan. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Wheel cakes a hit in France with shops and online". Taipei Times. September 13, 2023.
- ^ Hanly, Gavin (15 November 2019). "Wheelcake Island is serving up Taiwanese pancakes at Westfield London". Hot Dinners.
- ^ Abgarian, Allie (4 March 2020). "A wheelcake dessert bar has arrived in Selfridges". Time Out.
- ^ Vickery, Elle (24 November 2017). "The Traditional Taiwanese Snack Getting Londoners In A Spin". Londonist.
- ^ Yu, Mallory; Chang, Ailsa; Jarenwattananon, Patrick; Mehta, Jonaki (February 22, 2024). "Feast your eyes on Taiwan's distinct food (and understand a history of colonization)". NPR.
- ^ "食光走廊 紅豆餅與今川燒" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Liberty Times. 2016-12-09.
- ^ "台灣古早味紅豆餅！ 日本使館：起源是日本" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Liberty Times. 2021-08-25.
- ^ 黃郁琇; Starck. "BOOKMAN BILINGUAL 雙語書林: The Story of Taiwan Wheel Cakes 車輪餅的故事". Taipei Times.
- ^ Chang, Francesca (2020-06-15). "Taiwanese "Teatime" — Take a Break with the Island's Sweets and Treats (TAIPEI Quarterly 2020 Summer Vol.20)". Travel Taipei.
- ^ 張嘉哲 (9 January 2022). "車輪餅最強口味是？老饕喊「它」超意外：咬一口回到童年". NOWnews (in Chinese). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ 方君民 (21 April 2024). "為何車輪餅「這口味」超少人買？一票網友反大推：內行才懂的美味". 食尚玩家 (in Chinese). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ Lab社群實驗室 (21 November 2022). "銅板價國民美食！網推車輪餅加入「這個」超驚艷". Social Lab社群實驗室 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ Wong, Joshua (November 21, 2023). "Taiwan's Popular Mister Wheel Opening At Suntec City In Dec, Offering Wheel Pies, Teas & More!". Singapore Foodie.
- ^ "Taiwan's Famous Mister Wheel To Open In Suntec, Get Wheel Pies And More Here". EATBOOK. November 16, 2023.
- ^ 胡光輝 (2021-08-25). "從路邊攤到總統府品牌車輪餅成企業下午茶首選" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Taiwan Power News.
