By Zhao Yu

In the heart of Yinzhou District, Tangxi Town, lies a hidden gem: a 26-year-old store where the magic of Xibing (Wedding Cakes) is crafted, carrying the sweet memories of several generations.

Xibing is a truly remarkable ceremonial item with a rich history and a variety of uses in Chinese folk marriages and other ceremonies.

In Ningbo, it has become a one-of-a-kind cultural icon! Its outer is round, the taste is crispy and sweet, the surface is wrapped with a layer of white sesame, and there is a rich filling inside. The words "double happiness" printed on the cakes not only add a festive atmosphere, but also symbolize the joyous beginning of a new couple.

Ningbo Xibing is a type of food that is high in sugar and low in oil. They are usually crispy, soft, and crunchy, and can be sweet and salty, salty and fresh, and more. This unique taste is closely linked to local eating habits and cultural traditions. Over time, the flavors of Xibing have become more diverse, but the taste of happiness is always the same.

In Tangxi, Xibing means more than an ordinary food. It has the meaning of "delivering good news and sharing joy". It is said that before the marriage of the old generation of Tangxi people, the man would pick up 108 cakes and 108 oil bags to the woman's home, which was intended to inform the neighbors and friends that the daughter of the family would soon be married.

While the number may have changed over time, the custom of giving Xibing has remained a cherished tradition.

Li Peijun, a Xibing pastry chef，and her husband have been managing this store for years. "It is our hope that we can bring happiness to everyone through these small cakes," Li Peijun said with a smile. This old store, which has been preserving the sweetness of the cakes through traditional craftsmanship, also aims to deliver the full flavor of happiness, so that this cuisine with its history and culture can be continued and passed on.