Donggang shuanggaorun is a traditional celebration cake steamed whole from glutinous rice flour and brown sugar in Donggang, Pingtung. At an old shop in the Second Market, the moment the steamer lid lifts, the scent of brown sugar mingles with the warmth of the rice. Deep brown, square slabs are cut, weighed, and bagged to order, with locals lining up for numbered tickets — a cake once reserved for weddings, now a must-try for visitors too.
Qiu Family Shuanggaorun at Donggang's Second Market has, according to multiple local reports, operated for more than sixty years across three generations, selling only the classic brown-sugar flavor; it often sells out before 10 a.m., requiring a numbered ticket. Alongside rice cake and rice soup, it is grouped under the media-coined "Small Three Treasures of Donggang," a different list from the Donggang Township Office's official "Three Treasures of Donggang" (bluefin tuna, sakura shrimp, and oilfish roe).
What is Donggang Shuanggaorun Sticky Cake
Shuanggaorun (Taiwanese: Siang-ko-jūn) is a traditional cake made by repeatedly stirring glutinous rice flour with raw cane sugar or brown sugar and water, then steaming. The texture is soft and chewy with a deep sugar fragrance that is rich but not cloying; sliced, the surface is smooth and slightly glossy, starting sweet on the tongue and finishing in a springy chew. Said to have originated as a celebration cake for Donggang fishing-village weddings, with the name implying 'a matched pair, moist and sticky,' it gradually became an everyday snack and souvenir. Made and steamed as a whole block and hand-cut into portions, the high moisture content means it does not keep long — it is best eaten the same day.
Why Donggang? The Donggang Township Office designates shuanggaorun as one of the 'Small Three Treasures of Donggang.' Qiu Family Shuanggaorun at the Second Market is the long-standing representative, operated by three generations, made in limited daily quantities, and often sold out by afternoon — with numbered tickets required for purchase. Other local shops make their own versions as well, so this is a cluster category. The grade of glutinous rice, the ratio of brown sugar, and the precision of steaming distinguish each shop; but 'freshly cut, freshly weighed, no preservatives, finish the same day' is the Donggang-wide standard.
How to eat it like a local
Local knowledge
Verified endorsements (sponsored content filtered out)
- The Donggang Township Office designates shuanggaorun as one of the 'Small Three Treasures of Donggang' and a representative traditional Donggang cake.
- Qiu Family Shuanggaorun is located at Donggang's Second Market, operated by three generations, made in limited daily quantities — a long-running local institution.
- A traditional celebration cake for Donggang fishing-village weddings and festivities, with significant local cultural symbolism.
Visitor tips
- It often sells out in the afternoon; arrive at the market in the morning to buy, to avoid a wasted trip.
- Whole uncut blocks can be frozen, but the texture suffers — try to buy only the amount you can eat the same day.
- Those with sensitive digestion or diabetes should not eat more than 2 small pieces at a time; the sugar content and stickiness are both high.
Information compiled from the Pingtung County Government Tourism Bureau, Donggang Township Office, and large volumes of public reviews; sponsored content has been filtered out. Photos will be replaced with exclusive channel footage after Dio's on-site shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Donggang shuanggaorun?
Donggang shuanggaorun is a traditional celebration cake steamed from glutinous rice flour and brown sugar, prized for its soft, chewy texture and deep sugar fragrance.
What time should I go to buy Qiu Family Shuanggaorun?
Arrive before 10 a.m.; the shop often has a line with numbered tickets and can sell out by afternoon.
How long does shuanggaorun keep?
It has high moisture and no preservatives, so it keeps only about a day at room temperature and is best eaten the same day.
Sources
- 東港雙糕潤推薦『東港邱家雙糕潤』只賣黑糖一種口味，東港第二市場熱賣60年
- 屏東縣東港鎮公所—東港三寶：黑鮪魚、櫻花蝦、油魚子 — 官方三寶名單，與媒體所稱小三寶不同