Gourmet Alley Wet Milled Rice Cake (年糕 / Nián Gāo) – 400g

The essential ingredient for Shanghainese stir-fries and Chinese New Year tradition. Gourmet Alley's Wet Milled Rice Cake (年糕) is made using the traditional wet milling process — soaking and grinding rice into a fine slurry before forming — which produces a noticeably smoother, more supple texture and a cleaner rice flavor than dry-milled alternatives. The result: a rice cake that holds its shape in the wok, absorbs sauces beautifully, and delivers the satisfying chew that defines authentic 年糕 dishes.

Product Details

• Net Weight: 400g
• Country of Origin: China
• Brand: Gourmet Alley (錦華坊)
• Process: Wet milled (汿磨) — traditional method for superior texture
• Gluten free — made from rice only

Why Wet Milled?

Wet milling (汿磨) is the traditional Chinese method for making rice cakes — rice is soaked, then ground into a fine slurry before forming. Compared to dry-milled rice cakes, wet milled 年糕 has a smoother surface, more supple chew, and a cleaner, purer rice flavor. It also absorbs sauces and seasonings more evenly during cooking — the key reason Shanghainese home cooks and restaurants prefer it.

Classic Uses

• 🍳 Shanghainese stir-fried rice cake (上海炸年糕): The definitive preparation — stir-fry with pork, napa cabbage, and soy sauce in a screaming hot wok. The rice cakes caramelize slightly at the edges while staying chewy inside
• 🌶️ XO Sauce Fried Rice Cakes (XO醬炸年糕): Toss with XO sauce, scallions, and your choice of protein for a premium, restaurant-style preparation
• 🍲 Hot pot (火锅): Add directly to simmering broth — the rice cakes absorb the flavors of the soup beautifully
• 🍜 Soup noodle style: Simmer in a savory broth with vegetables and meat for a comforting, warming bowl
• 🎂 New Year tradition: 年糕 (Nián Gāo) literally means "year cake" — a homophone for "year higher" (年高), making it an auspicious dish eaten during Lunar New Year to symbolize growth and prosperity

💡 Cooking tip: If the rice cakes are dry or stiff, soak in cold water for 10–15 minutes before cooking to restore suppleness. For stir-frying, use high heat and keep them moving — they stick easily if the wok isn't hot enough.

Note: Gluten free. Made from rice. Consumers with dietary restrictions should carefully read the actual package before consuming.