Wheel Pie
{{Short description|Taiwanese pastry dessert}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Wheel Pie
| image = 08.09 總統接見「『2021第31屆成都夏季世界大學運動會』代表團選手、教練及隊職員」 - 53104679048.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption =
| alternate_name = Wheelcake
| country = Taiwan
| region =
| creator =
| course =
| served = Hot
| main_ingredient = Batter, sweet azuki bean paste
| variations = Imagawayaki
| calories =
| other =
}}
Wheel Pie, also known as Wheel Cake ({{zh|t=車輪餅|p=chēlún bǐng}}), is a popular Taiwanese dessert that consists of a round, pancake-like pastry filled with sweet or savory fillings. It is commonly found in night markets, street stalls, and bakeries throughout Taiwan. The dessert is named for its round, wheel-like shape, which resembles the spokes of a wheel.{{cite web|url=https://www.willflyforfood.net/taiwanese-desserts/|title=Taiwanese Desserts: 15 Traditional Sweets You Need to Try in Taiwan|date=November 9, 2024|website=Will Fly for Food}}
In addition to Taiwan, wheel pies have gained popularity in various other countries around the world, including Singapore,{{cite news |url=https://confirmgood.com/post/mister-wheel-singapore-suntec/|title=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|date=November 20, 2023 |publisher=Confirm Good|first1=Kaye|last1=Yeo|first2=Marcus|last2=Leong}} United States,{{cite news |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/eat-an-endless-amount-of-taiwanese-style-wheel-pies-at-this-new-spot-in-flushing-050721|title=Eat an endless amount of Taiwanese-style wheel pies at this new spot in Flushing|date=2021-05-07 |publisher=Time Out|first=Anna|last=Rahmanan}}{{cite news |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/10/10/2003680067|title=Wheel pie makes splash at banquet in Washington|date=October 10, 2017|publisher=Taipei Times}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2024/04/05/money-cake-first-us-location-tangram-flushing.html|title=Money Cake to open its first US location in Queens|date=April 5, 2024|first=Julian|last=Nazar|publisher=The Business Journals}} Vietnam,{{cite news |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/01/30/2003793363 |title=Rebranded as 'UFO cakes' Taiwanese delicacy is cherished by Vietnamese |date=30 January 2023 |publisher=Taipei Times |access-date=22 June 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/culture/202301210004 |title=We come in pieces: 'Taiwanese UFO pancake' lands in Vietnam |date=21 January 2023 |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=22 June 2023}} France,{{cite news |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/09/13/2003806169|title=Wheel cakes a hit in France with shops and online|date=September 13, 2023|publisher=Taipei Times}} and United Kingdom.{{cite news |url=https://www.hot-dinners.com/201911159049/Gastroblog/Latest-news/wheelcake-island-taiwanese-pancakes-westfield-london|title=Wheelcake Island is serving up Taiwanese pancakes at Westfield London|date=15 November 2019|publisher=Hot Dinners|first=Gavin|last=Hanly}}{{cite news |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/news/a-wheelcake-dessert-bar-has-arrived-in-selfridges-030420|title=A wheelcake dessert bar has arrived in Selfridges|date=4 March 2020|publisher=Time Out|first=Allie|last=Abgarian}}{{cite news |url=https://londonist.com/london/videos/wheel-cakes|title=The Traditional Taiwanese Snack Getting Londoners In A Spin|date=24 November 2017|publisher=Londonist|first=Elle|last=Vickery
}}
History
Wheel pies are believed to have originated 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, setting them apart from imagawayaki. The dessert has become a staple snack enjoyed by people of all ages in Taiwan.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/22/1229886464/taiwan-food-china-colonization-history-cookbook|title=Feast your eyes on Taiwan's distinct food (and understand a history of colonization)|date=February 22, 2024|publisher=NPR|first1=Mallory|last1=Yu|first2=Ailsa|last2=Chang|first3=Patrick|last3=Jarenwattananon|first4=Jonaki|last4=Mehta}}
Although wheel pies share similarities with the Japanese Imagawayaki, they have developed distinct characteristics that reflect Taiwanese culinary culture. Taiwanese wheel pies are often smaller in size, and feature a wider variety of fillings, including both sweet and savory options, which are less common in Japan.{{cite news |url=https://art.ltn.com.tw/article/paper/1059993|title=食光走廊 紅豆餅與今川燒|language=zh-tw|date=2016-12-09|publisher=Liberty Times}} 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, with Taiwanese versions favoring softer and fluffier textures compared to the denser Japanese Imagawayaki.{{cite news |url=https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/3650171|title=台灣古早味紅豆餅！ 日本使館：起源是日本|language=zh-tw|date=2021-08-25|publisher=Liberty Times}}{{cite news |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2024/07/08/2003820470#:~:text=The%20Taiwanese%20wheel%20cake%20differs,the%20other%20hand%2C%20is%20typically|title=BOOKMAN BILINGUAL 雙語書林: The Story of Taiwan Wheel Cakes 車輪餅的故事|author1=黃郁琇|author2=Starck|publisher=Taipei Times}}
Preparation
File:Taipei - 2017 (30075938898).jpg
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 added to the center, and 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.travel.taipei/en/pictorial/article/24237|title=Taiwanese "Teatime" — Take a Break with the Island's Sweets and Treats (TAIPEI Quarterly 2020 Summer Vol.20)|date=2020-06-15|first=Francesca|last=Chang|publisher=Travel Taipei}}
= Common Fillings =
- Sweet Fillings
- Red Bean Paste (紅豆泥): A traditional and most popular filling made from sweetened adzuki beans.
- Custard Cream (卡士達醬): A creamy, sweet custard that provides a smooth texture.
- Chocolate (巧克力): A rich, sweet filling often favored by children.
- Peanut Butter (花生醬): A nutty, savory-sweet filling.{{cite news |url=https://singaporefoodie.com/ttaiwans-popular-mister-wheel-opening-at-suntec-city-in-dec/|title=Taiwan's Popular Mister Wheel Opening At Suntec City In Dec, Offering Wheel Pies, Teas & More!|date=November 21, 2023|first=Joshua|last=Wong|publisher=Singapore Foodie}}
- Taro Paste (芋頭泥): A filling made from mashed taro, offering a mildly sweet and earthy flavor.
- Savory Fillings
- 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 option that blends Western flavors.
- Vegetable Curry (蔬菜咖喱): A spiced option with a savory curry taste.
Modern interpretations of wheel pies include innovative fillings such as matcha, mochi, salted egg yolk custard, Earl Grey milk tea.{{cite news |url=https://eatbook.sg/mister-wheel-suntec/|title=Taiwan's Famous Mister Wheel To Open In Suntec, Get Wheel Pies And More Here|date=November 16, 2023 |publisher=EATBOOK}} Some vendors also create themed designs for holidays, incorporating unique shapes or decorations.{{cite news |url=https://today.line.me/tw/v2/article/9mW8prg|title=從路邊攤到總統府品牌車輪餅成企業下午茶首選|language=zh-tw|date=2021-08-25|publisher=Line News|author=胡光輝}}
See also
References
{{Taiwanese cuisine}}
{{Pancakes}}