Eating in China
Generated illustration of Changsha fried sugar rice dumplings coated with cooked soybean flour and sugar.

Changsha sugar rice dumplings

糖饺子Táng jiǎozi

Golden fried rice-dough pieces with no filling. Called tang jiaozi or white-sugar dumplings in Changsha, this version is coated in cooked soybean flour and white sugar, with a crisp outside and soft, chewy center.

Heat
Region
Hunan
Type
Sweets
Vegan
Order in Chinese

At the table

How to enjoy it

Pick up a piece with chopsticks or the utensil provided. Let the center cool, then take small bites of the sticky dough.

A useful check

Contains soy from the coating. Freshly fried centers can be hot and the rice dough is sticky. Ask about flour blends, coating and frying oil for dietary restrictions.

How it may vary

This version uses two rice flours, rapeseed oil and soybean-sugar coating. Flour, coating and frying-oil choices can vary; confirm the shop’s version.

GET TO KNOW THE DISH

What goes into it?

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

This version uses two rice flours, rapeseed oil and soybean-sugar coating. Flour, coating and frying-oil choices can vary; confirm the shop’s version.

Recipes vary by restaurant.

How does it taste?

Sweet sugar coating with a toasted soybean aroma.

Chili heat
Texture
Crisp exterior and soft, sticky rice dough inside.
How it’s made
Glutinous rice flour and plain rice flour are mixed with sugar and water, shaped into short folded pieces and fried in rapeseed oil. They are then rolled in cooked soybean flour and white sugar.

This version uses two rice flours, rapeseed oil and soybean-sugar coating. Flour, coating and frying-oil choices can vary; confirm the shop’s version.

A CONNECTION TO PLACE

Origin & regional roots

Explore regional food

Associated with Hunan.

About this regional connection

Hunan: Changsha sweet snack;nooriginyearclaimed.

Ask if they have it first

ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE

请问你们有糖饺子吗?

Do you have this item?

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

Why these sweets are called dumplings

This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.

In Changsha, white-sugar dumplings are a fried rice sweet. Their name evokes a dumpling-like shape and the visible sugar coating, rather than a wheat wrapper enclosing a sweet filling.

EATING IN CHINA · THE APP

Get the app

Discover local dishes, understand their ingredients and flavours, and choose what you’d like to try. Explore vegetarian, vegan and kid-friendly food ideas for your China trip.

Food guides, ingredients and trip planning are free.

See what’s in the app