Suncake

Suncakes, or taiyang bing, are beloved desserts in Taiwan, originating from Taichung. These delightful pastries feature a sweet maltose filling encased in a flaky crust, and they are often beautifully packaged, making them popular souvenirs for visitors. Renowned for their delicate textures, suncakes vary in size, with some famous pastry shops attracting long lines of customers eager to purchase them by the box.

Traditionally, suncakes are enjoyed with a cup of Chinese tea, though some people prefer to dissolve them in hot water, creating a sweet, porridge-like treat.

The history of suncakes traces back to the Lin family in the She-Ko area of Shengang Township, now part of Taichung City. The Lin family originally used condensed malt sugar as a filling for their pastries. Pastry maker Wei Qing-hai later refined this recipe into what we now recognize as suncakes. While these pastries were not initially called "suncakes" the name was coined by the proprietor of the famed "Sun Booth" pastry shop. Notably, the name was never trademarked, allowing other pastry shops to create and sell their own versions under the same name.