杜称奇火烧Tianjin Du Chengqi Sesame Baked Cake: A Century-Old Legend That “Sings” with Every Bite!

If you stroll through the streets of Tianjin on a crisp morning and hear the rhythmic “pa-da pa-da” of dough hitting the wooden board, followed by the irresistible aroma of toasted sesame and fresh bread—congratulations, you’ve found the legendary Du Chengqi Sesame Baked Cake! This humble-looking sesame flatbread is so beloved that locals are willing to wait in line for over an hour just to taste it.

🕰️ A Century of History: The Story Behind Tianjin’s Famous Sesame Baked Cake

Back in 1918, a Shandong native named Du Chengqi opened a sesame flatbread shop in Tianjin’s Nanshi district. Thanks to his unique craftsmanship and careful selection of ingredients, the shop quickly became a household name. Legend has it that when the Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang performed in Tianjin, he specifically sent someone to buy Du Chengqi’s baked cakes. From then on, the name Du Chengqi became synonymous with Tianjin sesame baked cakes, passing down its reputation for over 100 years.

🌟 Cultural Significance: More Than Breakfast, It’s Tianjin’s Living Heritage

For Tianjin locals, Du Chengqi sesame baked cakes are more than just food—they are a piece of the city’s memory. Older generations see it as a “true Tianjin badge of honor,” while young food lovers treasure it as a timeless culinary journey. Through decades of change, the flatbread has always kept its signature crispy layers and sesame-rich flavor, remaining a must-have star on every Tianjin breakfast table.

🥯 Key Ingredients: Simple Yet Perfectionis

• Premium Flour: High-quality wheat flour from Hetao region
• The Soul: Freshly roasted and ground sesame seeds bursting with fragrance
• Secret Recipe: A century-old natural fermentation method
• Final Touch: Pure sesame oil for rich aroma

👨‍🍳 Traditional Craftsmanship: A Master’s Art at Fingertips

1. Kneading: Using the classic “three knead, three rest” method for perfect dough texture
2. Laminating: Oil-to-flour ratio measured down to the gram for distinct layers
3. Folding: Fast, skillful hands create exactly 18 even pleats
4. Baking: Roasted in a traditional hanging oven with precise fire control

Every movement by the master baker is as graceful as a performance, turning the process into culinary artistry.

😋 Flavor & Texture: A Crispy Symphony on the Tongue

Take the first bite—crack! The second bite reveals paper-thin crispy layers, and soon after, the warm aroma of flour blends with nutty sesame in your mouth. Crisp yet chewy, fragrant yet slightly sweet, this baked cake dances across your palate. Best of all, it stays crunchy even after cooling—proof of century-old mastery.

🍽️ How to Eat It Like a Local

1. Fresh Out of the Oven: Eat within 5 minutes for peak crispiness
2. With Braised Meat: Tianjin’s favorite savory combo
3. Dipped in Soy Milk: Soft outside, crunchy inside—unique texture
4. With Pickles: Simple, satisfying, and authentically Tianjin

📍 Where to Try Du Chengqi Sesame Baked Cakes

• Original Store: Du Chengqi Food Shop (est. 1918, still at the original site)
• New Hotspot: Ancient Culture Street branch (opened in 2024, with a modern setting)
• Quick Option: Takeout window (shorter waiting times)
• Price Guide: 2–4 RMB per piece, 2–3 pieces will fill you up
• Insider Tip: Order like a local: “Two sugar baked, one sesame with sauce.”

🧳 Traveler’s Tips

• English Name: Tianjin Sesame Baked Cake
• Best Time: 6–8 a.m. (the first batch is the crispiest)
• Storage Tip: Paper bag, ventilated, lasts up to 3 days
• Eating Note: Sesame falls easily—use a napkin to catch them!

🏠 Bonus: Try It at Home

You can recreate a simple version: wrap oil pastry inside fermented dough, flatten, sprinkle sesame, and bake at 200°C for 15 minutes. It may not match the century-old flavor, but it’s a fun taste of Tianjin in your kitchen.

When you stand in front of the old Du Chengqi shop, watching the master knead, fold, and bake while the rich aroma of sesame fills the air, you’ll understand why Tianjin locals say: “If you haven’t eaten Du Chengqi, you haven’t truly eaten Tianjin baked cakes.”

So in 2025, make sure this “singing sesame baked cake” is on your must-eat list. Just follow the line of Tianjin locals in the morning—you’re about to taste one of China’s most legendary breads with a story worth savoring.