Wandouhuang (pea cake)
Photo: Jiayi120 · CC BY-SA 4.0

History

Wandouhuang has been famous in Beijing since the Ming dynasty and entered the Forbidden City in the Qing. It was a classic spring product sold at temple fairs, and vendors once sold it at the Shangsi Festival. A legend says Cixi heard vendors selling it near Beihai and had them cook it in the palace, which gave rise to two versions of the recipe, one for the court and one for the street. Huguosi Snacks, formed in 1956 from famous street vendors, still sells it among its 100-odd snacks.

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Common allergens: Legumes

Make it at home

Yield Serves 6Hands-on 40 minTotal 6 hrDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 250g dried split yellow peas, soaked overnight
  • 1.2 litres water
  • 100g caster sugar
  • 1 tsp neutral oil, for the tin

Method

  1. Drain the peas and simmer them in the water for about 1 hour, until they collapse when pressed.
  2. Blend the peas with their liquid until smooth, then press the purée through a fine sieve into a clean pan.
  3. Add the sugar and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 25 minutes, until the paste is thick and the spoon leaves a clear trail.
  4. Oil an 18cm square tin lightly, pour in the paste and smooth the top.
  5. Cool to room temperature, then chill for 4 hours until firm. Cut into squares to serve.

Tip from the editors. Keep stirring over low heat; the paste spits and catches easily, and a smooth, thick paste is what sets into clean squares.

Where to eat wandouhuang (pea cake)

Wandouhuang (pea cake) in Beijing

Huguosi Snacks (Huguosi Street Flagship) ★ 4.4

¥ Street foodXisi Baitasi

Huguosi Snacks' founding shop at 93 Huguosi Street in Beijing, open since 1956, sells over 100 halal snacks, from douzhi and jiaoquan to lüdagun and pea cake.

TryDouzhi (fermented mung bean drink) with jiaoquan, lüdagun and pea flour cake

TipThe shop opens at 05:30, so go early for breakfast; douzhi is an acquired taste, and the 2025 city-walk guide says to pair it with jiaoquan.

Directions

Laohuihui Snack Bar (Baiwanzhuang) ★ 3.8

¥ Street foodXisi Baitasi

Laohuihui Snack Bar on Baiwanzhuang North Street in Beijing is a time-honoured snack shop selling lüdagun, bean-paste shaobing and sugar rolls.

TryLüdagun, bean-paste shaobing and sugar rolls

TipThe Xicheng guide recommends lüdagun, bean-paste huoshao, sugar huoshao and pea cake; hours split into breakfast, lunch and dinner, so check the clock.

Directions

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