Ai Wo Wo

Ai Wo Wo are delicate steamed rice cakes made from glutinous rice that's been pounded into a smooth, sticky dough. Each ball is filled with a sweet mixture — traditionally red bean paste, white sugar, sesame, and osmanthus flowers — then rolled in a coating of sticky rice flour or shredded coconut. The result is a soft, chewy, sweet treat with a subtle floral aroma. They're small, usually bite-sized, and served at room temperature.

📖 History

Ai Wo Wo has been a Beijing snack for over 400 years, originating in the Ming Dynasty. The name is believed to be an onomatopoeia of street vendors' cries.