Wheel Pie

Wheel Pie, also known as Wheel Cake (Chinese: 車輪餅; pinyin: chēlún bǐng), is a popular Taiwanese dessert that consists of a round, pancake-like pastry with sweet or savory fillings. Named for its wheel-like shape, it is common in night markets, street stalls, and bakeries throughout Taiwan.^[1]

Wheel Pie

Alternative names	Wheelcake
Place of origin	Taiwan
Serving temperature	Hot
Main ingredients	Batter, sweet azuki bean paste
Variations	Imagawayaki

Wheel pies have gained popularity in other countries, including Singapore,^[2] United States,^[3][4][5] Vietnam,^[6][7] France,^[8] and United Kingdom.^[9][10][11]

History

Wheel pies are thought to be derived from the Japanese dessert imagawayaki (今川焼き), which was introduced to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era (1895–1945). While influenced by its Japanese counterpart, wheel pies have since evolved to include distinctly Taiwanese flavours and adaptations. The dessert has become a staple snack enjoyed by people of all ages.^[12]

Distinct local characteristics of Taiwanese wheel pies are its often smaller in size, and wider variety of fillings, including both sweet and savory options less common in Japan.^[13] Additionally, Taiwanese vendors frequently experiment with modern flavors, such as matcha, salted egg yolk custard, and mochi, making wheel pies a more versatile snack. The cooking methods and batter recipes may also differ slightly, resulting in wheel pies having a softer and fluffier mouthfeel compared to the denser imagawayaki.^[14][15]

Preparation

Wheel pies with various fillings being made

Wheel pies are made using a pancake batter poured into a circular mold on a specialized griddle. The batter is cooked until it forms a golden-brown shell. A generous amount of filling is placed in the center, then another layer of batter is poured on top before the two halves are sealed together. The result is a fluffy, round pastry with a rich filling.^[16]

Common fillings

• Sweet:
  • Red Bean Paste (紅豆泥): A traditional and most popular filling made from sweetened adzuki beans.
  • Custard Cream (卡士達醬): A creamy, sweet custard that provides a smooth texture.
  • Chocolate (巧克力): A rich filling often favored by children.
  • Peanut Butter (花生醬): A nutty, savory-sweet filling.^[17]
  • Taro Paste (芋頭泥): A filling made from mashed taro, offering a mildly sweet and earthy flavor.

• Savory:
  • Cheese and Corn (起司玉米): A popular variation with melted cheese and corn kernels.
  • Ham and Cheese (火腿起司): A fusion blending Western flavors.
  • Vegetable Curry (蔬菜咖喱): A spicy filling with a savory curry taste.

Modern interpretations of wheel pies include innovative fillings such as matcha, mochi, salted egg yolk custard, and Earl Grey milk tea.^[18] Some vendors also create designs for specific holidays, incorporating unique shapes or decorations into the batter.^[19]

See also

• Imagawayaki
• Taiwanese cuisine
• Dorayaki