Rolling Donkey – Traditional Beijing Rice Dessert
Don’t worry — this isn’t a real donkey! Rolling Donkey (Lüdagun) is a cute Beijing dessert: soft white glutinous rice rolls covered in golden soybean flour, with sweet red bean paste inside. One bite offers chewy rice, smooth bean filling, and toasty soybean aroma — a beloved traditional treat for generations of Beijingers.
1. Origin and History
This snack was created in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era as a Manchu royal dessert. It later became popular at temple fairs for its cute look and low price. Its name comes from the way the rolls “roll” in soybean flour like little donkeys in the dirt.
2. Cultural Significance
Rolling Donkey symbolizes good luck during Chinese New Year and family reunion during Winter Solstice. Elders buy it for children, saying it helps them grow strong — a sweet bite carrying warm wishes.
3. Key Ingredients
It’s made with chewy northeastern glutinous rice flour, fragrant Hebei red bean paste, and local Beijing roasted soybean flour that adds a toasty aroma and fine grainy texture.
4. How It’s Made
Steamed glutinous rice dough is rolled thin, spread with red bean paste, rolled up like a carpet, coated in roasted soybean flour, and cut into small pieces showing red, white, and yellow layers.
5. Flavor and Texture
You’ll first taste the toasty soybean flour, then the soft rice skin, and finally the sweet bean paste — a mix of grainy, chewy, and smooth textures that’s sweet but not heavy.
6. How to Eat
Use a bamboo skewer to avoid scattering flour, and enjoy it with jasmine tea. Foodies bite from the cross section for all three layers at once. Chilled versions are chewier.
7. Where to Try
Top spots in Beijing include Huguosi Snacks, Daoxiangcun, Baiji Rice Cake, and Wangfujing Snack Street. Freshly made ones (about 3–5 RMB each) have the strongest aroma.
8. Travel Tips
Best eaten within 2 hours of purchase, it’s vegetarian and can be kept for 1 day at room temperature or 3 days refrigerated (bring to room temp before eating).
Let this cute little “donkey” roll you into the sweet world of Beijing desserts — and don’t forget to snap a photo of its adorable look!
