Hsinchu's former name was "Zhuqian" (竹塹), and the words "Zhuqian Bing" (竹塹餅) are virtually synonymous with a single shop — Xin Fu Zhen (新復珍). Founded in 1898 (the 24th year of the Guangxu reign) on Beimen Street, the shop started by selling zongzi rice dumplings in front of the City God Temple, then adapted the filling into a pastry format, creating a sweet-and-savory Chinese-style cake found nowhere else in Taiwan. The first bite brings the sweetness of winter melon, followed by the richness of pork fat cubes and the savory note of fried shallots, finishing with undertones of sesame and flaky pastry — three flavors in one pastry. This is the most classic interpretation of Hsinchu's century-old pastry tradition.
What Is Zhuqian Bing
Zhuqian Bing resembles a miniature sun cake or moon cake — round and flat, about 5–7 cm in diameter, with white sesame seeds sprinkled on top. The skin is traditional layered oil pastry with distinct flaky layers; the filling is Xin Fu Zhen's proprietary recipe, made primarily from crystallized winter melon, diced fatty pork, and fried shallots, with some versions also adding kumquat peel or maltose syrup. Overall it is crisp on the outside and moist within, with a sweet-savory interplay that sets it apart from typical Chinese pastries that are either purely sweet or purely savory — a cake style unique to Hsinchu.
Xin Fu Zhen Commercial House was founded in 1898, when founder Wu Zhang Huan began by vending zongzi at a stall in front of the City God Temple. He later adapted the savory-sweet filling from zongzi into a pastry format, launching Zhuqian Bing to great acclaim, and the operation gradually grew from a cart into a century-old shop on Beimen Street. The Ministry of Economic Affairs recognized Xin Fu Zhen as an "Outstanding Century-Old Shop"; Zhuqian Bing has also become one of the signature souvenir foods of Hsinchu. Beyond Xin Fu Zhen, a handful of other century-old Chinese pastry shops are clustered on and around Beimen Street — Lao Zhen Nan and Xin Guang Preserved Fruits among them — each with its own signature item, while Xin Fu Zhen is known above all for this single pastry.
How to Eat It the Local Way
Local Knowledge
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- Xin Fu Zhen Commercial House was founded in 1898 and is certified as an "Outstanding Century-Old Shop" by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
- The founder of Zhuqian Bing started by selling zongzi at the City God Temple forecourt, then adapted the zongzi filling into a pastry.
- Beimen Street is Hsinchu's century-old commercial heritage street, with other old Chinese pastry shops such as Lao Zhen Nan also clustered here.
Tips for Visiting
- Zhuqian Bing has a short shelf life (about one week); refrigerate after purchase and consume promptly.
- Xin Fu Zhen's main shop on Beimen Street occupies a historic building — it pairs well with a stroll along the old street and nearby sites such as Changhe Temple.
- Gift boxes typically come in 8- or 12-piece formats; single pieces can also be purchased, making it easy to try one before committing to a larger quantity.
Information compiled from the Michelin Guide, Hsinchu City Government Tourism Bureau, Hsinchu County Government Tourism and Travel Division, and a large volume of public reviews, with sponsored content filtered out. Photos to be replaced with channel-exclusive material once Dio shoots on location.