Beijing Ai Wo Wo
Ai Wo Wo is a traditional Beijing Muslim pastry made from glutinous rice dough filled with sweetened bean paste, nuts, and dried fruits. The name comes from the Ainu word for this confection. White, round, and delicate, it has been a beloved imperial-era snack for centuries.
Ingredients
- Glutinous rice flour 300 g
- Red bean paste 200 g
- White sugar 50 g
- Sesame seeds 20 g
- Walnut kernels 30 g
- Melon seeds 20 g
- Osmanthus to taste
- Warm water 200 ml
Instructions
- 1. Soak the glutinous rice flour in warm water until soft (about 20 minutes), drain and set aside.
- 2. Boil water in a large pot, add noodles and cook until appropriate softness and hardness, take out
- 3. Prepare the sauce: mix the ingredients and stir well
- 4. Blanch red bean paste and melon seeds and set aside
- 5. Pour the noodles into a bowl, pour the sauce over it, add the side dishes and mix well.
Cultural Notes
Ai Wo Wo was originally a Manchu confection that entered Beijing cuisine during the Qing Dynasty. It became popular as a temple fair snack and was sold by vendors during the Lantern Festival. The white color symbolizes purity and good fortune in Chinese culture.