Chili Pepper Cake

Chili Pepper Cake

　　    It has long been a custom among the people of Jun’an to enjoy hot pot. Every winter, nearly every household prepares a hot pot meal, with family members gathering around the pot. They pick up a slice of fish, eat a few pieces of minced fish, and enjoy an indescribable sense of comfort and familial warmth.

　　    The most unique aspect of Jun’an’s hot pot tradition is adding a bit of chili pepper cake to the soy sauce dip — not only does it taste exceptionally fragrant and delicious, but it also offers a completely different flavor experience. This way of eating hot pot with chili pepper cake is truly one of a kind in the Pearl River Delta region. A popular folk doggerel goes: “Chili formed into cakes, its flavor refined; in hot pot meals, its charm aligned. With every bite, aroma so divine, leaving a lingering taste that truly shines.”

　　    Chili pepper cake is a specialty of Jun’an, with a history of over a hundred years in the area. The process of making chili pepper cake involves crushing chili peppers, garlic, fermented black beans, herbs, and other ingredients into a paste, which is then shaped into small cakes and sun-dried — resulting in the beloved chili pepper cake enjoyed by all.

　　    Source: Jun’an Town Government Website