Nanbai Yellow Glutinous Rice Cake

Nanbai Yellow Glutinous Rice Cake

　　Yellow glutinous rice cake is a specialty of Zunyi, especially famous for those produced in Nanbai Town.

　　The ingredients include high-quality rice, glutinous rice, and soybeans. The rice is ground into powder, the glutinous rice is steamed, and the soybeans are ground into paste. These are mixed together evenly, then kneaded into a dough once the paste has dried. The dough is shaped into long rectangular pieces, wrapped in bamboo shoot husks, and steamed.

　　Once steamed, the surface of the cake is shiny and golden, with glistening glutinous rice grains. It is sticky yet not greasy, sweet and delicious. It can be eaten cold or prepared by steaming, frying, roasting, or pan-frying.

　　　Nanbai Yellow Glutinous Rice Cake is a specialty of Nanbai Town in Zunyi County. Made from common ingredients but with a unique preparation method, it combines the characteristics of both “cake” and “glutinous rice cake,” offering a rich traditional flavor. The ingredients consist of equal parts high-quality rice and glutinous rice, plus 8%–10% soybeans based on the total weight of the two grains. The rice is ground into powder, the glutinous rice is steamed, and the soybeans are ground into paste. These are mixed together evenly, then kneaded into a dough once the paste has dried. The dough is shaped into long rectangular pieces, wrapped in bamboo shoot husks, tightly tied with string, and then steamed over high heat for 2–3 hours in a steamer until fully cooked. It is then simmered over low heat for about 24 hours before being taken out of the steamer. As the moisture evaporates and the cake “sets,” its surface becomes shiny and golden, non-sticky, and with an intact skin. High-quality yellow glutinous rice cake, when cut, reveals a golden-yellow, fine, and glossy cross-section, with glistening glutinous rice grains. It is sticky yet not greasy, sweet and delicious, and can be eaten cold or prepared by steaming, frying, roasting, or pan-frying. When sliced and steamed, it has a soft, tender, fragrant, and glutinous texture that is moist and refreshing. If fried or roasted, it develops a crispy exterior with a soft interior and a rich aroma. Well-made yellow glutinous rice cake has a moderate and natural sweetness without the need for added sugar, resulting in a pure flavor. This mature and scientific production process makes the yellow glutinous rice cake a distinctive food product, renowned among locals and travelers alike as a delicious local specialty to enjoy or give as a gift.