Zeng Gao
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Zeng Gao (Simplified / Traditional Chinese: 甑糕; Pinyin: Zèng gāo; also zenggao; sometimes written casually as jing gao in English tips) is a Xi'an and Shaanxi street snack of glutinous and/or ordinary rice steamed in a traditional zeng (甑) steamer, layered with red dates (jujubes) and cut into wedges. The cake is mildly sweet, sticky, and aromatic from the dates. Soft folk etymologies about the steamer name vary; treat single-inventor tales as folklore. It is distinct from southern Nine-Layer Cake / kuih lapis styles and from Fa Gao cup cakes.[1]
Characteristics
Dense steamed rice cake with visible date pieces; pale sticky crumb; sold warm in thick slices.
Ingredients (overview)
Glutinous rice and/or rice, red dates (jujube), water; sometimes beans or other mix-ins in house styles. Overview only.
History and culture
Signature Xi'an breakfast/snack alongside Roujiamo, Biangbiang Noodles, and Yangrou Paomo on tourist and local street routes. Soft exclusive shop branding disputes are commercial. English travel tips often say "zeng gao," "zenggao," or "Xi'an date sticky rice cake." See Shaanxi Food.
Serving and variations
Street breakfast or afternoon snack slice. See Shaanxi Food, Roujiamo, Biangbiang Noodles, and Saozi Noodles.