Eating in China
Generated guide illustration: Wenzhou lamp-shaped fried cake.

Wenzhou dengzhan cake

温州灯盏糕Wēnzhōu dēngzhǎngāo

Fried lamp-shaped cake with pork and radish

A crisp rice-batter shell encloses a savory filling.

Heat
Region
Zhejiang
Type
Snacks
Street food
Order in Chinese

At the table

How to enjoy it

Break or cut it open and let the hot filling cool before taking small bites.

A useful check

Contains pork and soybeans; the traditional preparation is fried in lard. Confirm the batter and frying fat if you have dietary restrictions.

How it may vary

Batter and frying fat can differ between makers. The traditional preparation described here uses rice flour, soybeans and lard.

GET TO KNOW THE DISH

What goes into it?

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

Batter and frying fat can differ between makers. The traditional preparation described here uses rice flour, soybeans and lard.

Recipes vary by restaurant.

How does it taste?

Savory

Savory
Chili heat
Texture
Crisp shell.
How it’s made
Enclose pork and shredded radish in soybean-rice batter and fry in lard.

Batter and frying fat can differ between makers. The traditional preparation described here uses rice flour, soybeans and lard.

A CONNECTION TO PLACE

Origin & regional roots

Explore regional food

Associated with Zhejiang.

Ask if they have it first

ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE

请问你们有温州灯盏糕吗?

Do you have this item?

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

A savory cake shaped like a lamp

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

Dengzhan means an oil-lamp bowl: the name describes the rounded shape of this Wenzhou snack. Its crisp shell surrounds pork and shredded radish. A traditional Doumentou preparation uses rice flour and soybeans for the batter and lard for frying. Despite the English word cake, this is a savory snack.

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