At the table
Choose the sauces and fillings before the cake is folded. Hold the bottom in its paper sleeve if supplied, keep the filling inside and bite from the open edge after it cools a little. The wrapping is not edible.
Sauces may contain wheat, soy, peanuts or sesame. Some versions add meat. Confirm sauces, fillings and cooking fats for dietary restrictions; a rice cake is not automatically vegetarian. The plain cake is not chili-hot, but added sauce can be.
The illustration shows a sauce-only version. Fried dough sticks, vegetables or braised beef may be added in other versions. Sauces and fillings differ by seller.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
The illustration shows a sauce-only version. Fried dough sticks, vegetables or braised beef may be added in other versions. Sauces and fillings differ by seller.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Toasted rice with sweet or savory sauce; chili sauce adds heat.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Soft, chewy rice cake with toasted patches; an added fried dough stick brings crunch.
- How it’s made
- The rice cake is grilled, brushed with sauce and folded. Sauce choices include fermented tofu, chili paste and a sweet mixture containing sweet wheat sauce, peanuts and sesame. They can be used alone or combined.
The illustration shows a sauce-only version. Fried dough sticks, vegetables or braised beef may be added in other versions. Sauces and fillings differ by seller.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Yunnan.
About this regional connection
Yunnan: Kunmingbreakfast andDalistalls,noinventedorigin.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有烧饵块吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A folded rice-cake breakfast
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Grilled erkuai is a familiar breakfast at Kunming stalls and is also found in Dali. Its thin round cake folds around sauce and optional fillings. Stir-fried erkuai slices and rice-cake noodles are different preparations.