At the table
Let the puff cool slightly, then split it into small pieces. Dip in the accompanying sugar if you like.
Contains wheat, egg and dairy; peanut oil may be used. Freshly fried puffs can be hot inside.
Recipes vary in their use of butter, cream or milk, vanilla flavoring and frying fat. Some use beef fat instead of vegetable oil.
A golden exterior and airy, hollow center make it easy to split into small pieces and share; cool after frying.
Recipes vary. Ask the restaurant about ingredients and serving before you order.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Recipes vary in their use of butter, cream or milk, vanilla flavoring and frying fat. Some use beef fat instead of vegetable oil.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Sweet, with a buttery dairy aroma.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Light and hollow inside, with a lightly crisp golden surface.
- How it’s made
- Scald wheat flour with hot liquid, mix in egg and dairy, shape small pieces and deep-fry until puffed; finish with sugar.
Recipes vary in their use of butter, cream or milk, vanilla flavoring and frying fat. Some use beef fat instead of vegetable oil.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Beijing.
About this regional connection
Beijing: 2019 Beijing Evening News feature hosted by Beijing Tourism identifies 奶油炸糕 as a Beijing local snack; 2022 Beijing Tourism entry lists it among Jinfang's specialty snacks. These support association, not exclusive origin or 2026 availability.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有奶油炸糕吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A Beijing fried sweet in memories of daily life
Naiyou zhagao, Beijing’s cream-fried cake, appears in memories of a hot plate shared during ordinary outings. Food writer Cui Daiyuan recalled queuing at the north gate of Dong’an Market after a shopping trip to eat the fresh cakes; another Beijinger remembered her parents splitting one portion at Di’anmen when they were dating, while one person born in the 1990s recalled secretly buying one after primary school. These personal snapshots place the sweet in a market outing, a young couple’s date, and an after-school break.
