A wheat cake travelogue

Source: China News Network

(New Year to the grassroots) a wheat cake travelogue

Wenzhou, February 9 (Fan Yubin, Jin Chaodan) On the occasion of the New Year of the Tiger, the Chinese Street in Prato, Italy, is full of rich Chinese New Year flavor. In recent days, in the local landmark "Xiangmanlou", Yongjia wheat cake is on sale, which makes local overseas Chinese and Italians feel fresh.

"Italy loves pizza, and I joked with them that it was 'Chinese pizza' and they liked it." The 45-year-old Jin Dengpan has lived in Italy for more than 20 years and now brings his hometown of Yongjia wheat cake to Italy.

A native of Yantou Town, Yongjia County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, Jin Dengpan went to Italy in his early 20s to work hard, and now lives in a foreign country, running two Chinese restaurants and a snack bar called "Xiangmanlou". "Xiang Man Lou" was founded by the Chinese in 1999, and by chance, Jin Dengpan learned the news that "Xiang Man Lou" was going to be transferred, and immediately bought the shop with a friend.

Italians taste Yongjia wheat cake Jindeng Pan offering

"This location is very good, similar to the intersection of Wenzhou Wuma Street, the local Chinese have a deep affection for 'Xiangmanlou', we continue the signboard, collected many snacks in Wenzhou." Kim Den-pan said.

In October 2021, "Xiang man lou" reopened, and Yongjia wheat cake became a new highlight and a new selling point. "After a long time out, sometimes I miss the taste of my hometown and want to eat wheat cake." Kim Den-pan said. Similarly, overseas Chinese from Wenzhou want to eat different nostalgia from pizza in Yongjia wheat cake.

Yongjia wheat cake is large, full of filling, thin and crispy skin, in order to make authentic Yongjia wheat cake, Jin Dengpan purchased wheat cake jars in China. "Although the Italian electric scone machine is fully functional, our Yongjia wheat cake jar is baked with fire, which is more fragrant." Jin Dengpan found a Yongjia relative who specialized in making wheat cakes, which were limited to 100 per day, and a wheat cake sold for 6 euros, often in short supply.

"At present, we only serve one flavor – sauerkraut three-layer meat, which is also the most classic Yongjia wheat cake flavor. We do not intend to increase the supply of 'Fragrant Man Lou' cereal in order to ensure the most authentic taste. "But Jin Dengpan and his partners are planning, with the help of the original business channels, the next step will be to expand the European market of Yongjia wheat cake, between nostalgia and business opportunities to make Yongjia wheat cake sell farther and more beautifully."

It is reported that in recent years, the Yongjia County Party Committee and the county government have vigorously supported the development of the wheat cake industry and established the "Yongjia Wheat Cake" industrial development leading group. In China, Yongjia wheat cake shops have increased from more than 100 in early 2019 to more than 500 today, and the annual output value of the industry has increased from 120 million yuan in 2019 to 500 million yuan in 2021, gradually turning from the scattered wheat cake workshops on the street to a larger market. (End)