It is called Wife Cake because, according to one popular origin story, a pastry created by a chef's wife was so delicious that the chef proudly attributed it to her, leading to the name.
The Origin Story of Wife Cake
The name "Wife Cake" (also known as Sweetheart Cake or Lou Po Beng) is deeply rooted in a charming tale that highlights the culinary prowess of a dedicated spouse. The story recounts how a skilled dim sum chef's wife developed a unique and superior pastry.
Here's a breakdown of the story behind its name:
- A New Recipe: The chef's wife, drawing inspiration from a recipe passed down through her mother's family, innovated a new pastry.
- Key Ingredient: This new creation featured a delicious wintermelon paste as its filling, setting it apart from other traditional dim sums.
- Superior Taste: Upon tasting, the pastry proved to be exceptionally flavorful, surpassing the quality and taste of other dim sums being sold in teahouses at the time.
- Proud Attribution: The chef, immensely proud of his wife's culinary achievement, began to tell everyone that this exquisite new pastry was made by his wife.
- The Naming: Because of its direct association with the chef's wife and her remarkable skill, the pastry naturally became known as "Wife Cake."
This origin story emphasizes the dedication and talent of the wife, whose innovative recipe not only delighted palates but also left a lasting legacy in the name of this beloved Chinese pastry. The cake, with its delicate flaky crust and sweet, translucent wintermelon filling, remains a popular treat, carrying with it this endearing tale of its creation.
