Chongqing Street Snacks Known by Locals: Remember the 50 Cents Triangular Rice Cakes? Xiao Zhan Also Loves Them
In recent years, Chongqing has become a globally trending 'net red' city, and many friends are familiar with its diverse culinary scene. Dishes like xiao mian (small noodles), suolan (sour and spicy noodles), liang fan (cold noodles), liang mian (cold noodles), chaoshu (fried wontons), douhua (tofu pudding), tzipeipan (sticky rice cakes), maca (twisted dough twists), and cishaiban (sticky rice cakes) – there are at least dozens of them. However, there are still some that many outsiders don't know about, such as the triangle (triangular) that we're going to introduce today;
Triangular is primarily made with rice paste, molded into a specially designed triangular shape, and baked. Due to their essentially identical triangular shapes, people affectionately call them triangular. The outer skin of these triangular is generally baked to a golden brown, while the inside is fluffy and sweet. The combination of these distinct inner and outer flavors creates a unique sensory impact;
Some say triangular is a modified version of bai gao (white rice cake). This understanding is also reasonable, as the taste is similar to traditional bai gao, but the shape, method, color, and outer taste are different. When eaten, it is melting, crispy, and refreshing together. It has the aroma of rice, as well as the aroma of deep-fried food. Therefore, it was once a sensation;
This triangular originated in Chongqing in the late 1970s, was once extremely popular, and was sold everywhere on the streets and alleys. However, for an unknown reason, it declined in the late 1990s and could still be found in the 2000s. Wang Yuan and Xiao Zhan both reminisced about eating this snack as children during a program.
In 2010 onwards, it became rare to see it. Last April, Yu Fan saw a small snack shop selling triangular in the Copper River Ancient Town (Anju Ancient Town), which felt very familiar (because his time in Chongqing was usually very limited, and he rarely saw a snack that could evoke childhood memories), so he took a set of photos, along with the production process of the triangular;
It's clear that compared to neighboring small shops, this triangular shop's business is not thriving. At 50 cents each, it probably doesn't sell much a day. Although it still tastes like the original, he is very worried about his business, wondering if the next time he comes back, the shop will be closed and he will not be able to find it;
With the development of the economy and society, the variety of food has increased, and mechanized, automated, and scale-produced foods have more advantages. However, traditional snacks, if the owner doesn't make a profit, or doesn't earn money from other jobs, naturally decline. It's reasonable that they disappear. Perhaps the disappearance is also reasonable. So, if you encounter it, you might as well buy one to try. But you don't know what time it will disappear next time?
