Cooked Pear Cake

Cooked Pear Cake

　　Tianjin’s Cooked Pear Cake is a unique local snack with distinctive Tianjin characteristics. Despite its name, the "pear" in Cooked Pear Cake actually has nothing to do with pears—it's believed to be a homophone of "哩," meaning "cooked treat." From the past to the present, this snack has always been a favorite among children in Tianjin. Back in our childhood, we also called it “Bowl Cake.” Later, after some research, we found out that it has an official name: “Zeng Cake.” “Zeng” (pronounced similarly to “zeng”) is an ancient cooking utensil with many small holes at the bottom, allowing steam to pass through and cook the food inside. Pottery versions of the Zeng appeared in the late Neolithic Age, and bronze ones were used during the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

　　In our childhood, the selection of special snacks was very limited—mostly things like sour rice cake, tea soup, bean candy, big pear cake, and sugar cotton. Among them, Cooked Pear Cake was the most representative and flavorful snack. As kids, every time we heard the buzzing sound, we would get excited because it was one of our favorite treats. We even affectionately called it the “buzz buzz” cake.

　　Cooked Pear Cake is made primarily from rice flour, which is ground into powder, then steamed to form the base. During preparation, the rice flour mixture is placed in a wooden steamer basket over boiling water and steamed for about a minute, after which various toppings are spread on top. Some stalls serve it simply on paper, while more thoughtful vendors, aiming to build a long-term business, have developed their own unique styles—for example, using a crispy thin pancake as a base, which adds a delicious crunch. Originally, the fillings were limited to red bean paste, white sugar, and hawthorn, but over time, they expanded to include orange, apple, pineapple, strawberry, chocolate, black sesame, taro, and more—creating an authentic Tianjin-style snack.

　　Back in the day, most vendors selling Cooked Pear Cake would push carts through the streets or carry shoulder poles to peddle their wares. Whenever the familiar buzzing whistle of the cart rang out, children would come running from all directions, eager to buy the treat. In recent years, this snack has suddenly regained popularity, and now many adults are joining the ranks of buyers, savoring the taste of Cooked Pear Cake and reminiscing about their unforgettable childhoods.