Customers hold Yongjia wheat cakes. [Photo/wzrb.com.cn]
In the heart of Paris, near the Pompidou Center, a Chinese restaurant named "Renjian Yanhuo" has become famous among locals and tourists alike for its delicious Yongjia wheat cakes.
The restaurant owned by Wenzhou native Jin Xiaorong, who moved to France in 1998, and longed for the flavors of her hometown. After learning the craft back in Yongjia county, she opened her restaurant in March, offering not only wheat cakes but also other Wenzhou delicacies like Jinfen noodles and sticky rice.
Priced at 6.5 euros ($7.1) each, the wheat cakes are filled with preserved vegetables and fresh meat. Despite the cost, they sell out quickly, with the restaurant selling an average of 70 to 80 wheat cakes daily.
The thin, crispy cakes, with their rich fillings, have become a signature dish, attracting both Chinese expatriates and curious locals. Jin recalls a touching moment when a young Wenzhou man, filming his visit, expressed his surprise and delight at finding authentic Yongjia wheat cakes in Paris. This sentiment is echoed by many Wenzhou customers who frequent her restaurant, often buying multiple cakes to share with friends and family.
The popularity of Yongjia wheat cakes isn't limited to Paris. They have also found fans in countries like Japan, Spain, Italy, and the United States, thanks to the efforts of Wenzhou entrepreneurs.
