The filling is a Big Mac? New Taipei’s exclusive “Layered Wheel Cake” offers a taste of the world

Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-jun, New Taipei

Wheel cakes, which can be bought for just a few coins, have long been a representative traditional snack in Taiwan. A couple in their 20s who love enjoying wheel cakes got creative by combining global culinary cultures with the classic treat, creating their own exclusive“Layered Wheel Cake”When you break it open, the richly fragrant outer layer reveals delicious fillings representing countries like Thailand, the United States, Italy, and Japan. With its multi-layered textures and delightful flavors, it has become a new popular snack in the Sanchong area.

▲ The wheel cake specialty store “Backpacker Bites” in Sanchong, New Taipei City, has created both savory and sweet Layered Wheel Cakes.

▲ The making process of the Layered Wheel Cake. (Video/Photo by reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

▲ Owners Lin Yu-wei and Ms. Shih of “Backpacker Bites.”

Because they love eating wheel cakes, and having worked and traveled in New Zealand during a working holiday as well as being seasoned backpackers, owners Lin Yu-wei and Ms. Shih came up with the idea of blending world cuisines they had tried and loved with traditional wheel cakes. After three months of developing various flavors, they finally started their own business in June this year near Sanchong’s rooftop plaza, opening the wheel cake specialty store “Backpacker Bites.”

▲ The wheel cakes at “Backpacker Bites” are made to order.

▲ The country-themed pattern is stamped on the pastry crust only when it’s almost finished.

Lin Yu-wei said that the wheel cakes at Backpacker Bites have several distinctive features: both the milk batter and ingredients are freshly made, purchased, and prepared on the same day. In addition, since they offer savory flavors, the milk batter is not sweetened to prevent the shell from clashing with the filling and affecting the overall taste. Ms. Shih also mentioned that to ensure customers enjoy hot wheel cakes, all items are made to order, requiring about a 10–15 minute wait after placing an order.

▲ The flavor varieties of Backpacker Bites’ wheel cakes.

Currently, Backpacker Bites offers 14 different flavors, incorporating the culinary characteristics of 7 countries, including the United States, Italy, Thailand, India, South Korea, Russia, and Egypt. The shop has also custom-made metal stamps featuring national emblems, stamping the corresponding country design on the outer crust of each flavor.

▲ The “Tears of the Goddess” wheel cake representing the United States.

▲ The “Three Idiots” wheel cake representing India, featuring an Indian curry flavor.

The savory options at Backpacker Bites include the “Tears of the Goddess,” representing the United States, with fillings like mini hot dogs, diced onions, and yellow mustard. Tasting it is like a wheel cake version of a Big Mac—packed with mustard and onion flavors, with a subtle milk aroma that blends in seamlessly without overpowering. The “Three Idiots,” representing India, offers an Indian curry flavor with generous chunks of potato and carrot in mildly spicy curry sauce—a hearty portion that leaves you full after just two.

▲ The “Red Card Diva” wheel cake representing Italy, featuring a tomato pizza flavor.

▲ The “Cheese Oreo” wheel cake representing Egypt, with a whole Oreo cookie inside.

The Italian “Red Card Diva” has a tomato pizza flavor—diced tomatoes and ham are sautéed beforehand and then added. The first bite leans toward a strong tomato taste, while the ham flavor emerges only after further tasting. Sweet tooth and chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss the Egyptian “UFO,” filled with a whole Oreo cookie and a piece of chocolate. The chocolate melts under high heat, greatly enhancing the chocolate aroma of the filling.

▲ The “Hulk” wheel cake representing Japan, featuring a matcha red bean flavor.

▲ The limited-time “I Do” wheel cake, with a matcha-flavored crust paired with white sesame.