Chengde Ludagun Snack Shop (承德驴打滚)

Chengde Ludagun Snack Shop (承德驴打滚) is a snack shop at 189 Wulie Road, near the Caiyuan Jiadi residential area in Shuangqiao District, Chengde, in Hebei province. The shop is described as more than 200 years old, which places its origins in the Qing dynasty, when Chengde served as the emperors' summer capital and sweets of the Manchu and Mongol court circle were part of the local repertoire. The shop sells ludagun (驴打滚), literally rolling donkey, a traditional sweet made of glutinous millet or rice dough rolled around a sweet red bean paste filling and dusted with roasted soybean flour. The name is said to refer to the way the powder-dusted roll resembles a donkey rolling in dust, rather than to any meat ingredient. The signature item is the ludagun red-bean roll, sold per portion at about 6 to 12 yuan, which makes it among the cheapest sweet snacks in Chengde. The texture is chewy and soft, with a nutty aroma from the soybean flour and a mild sweetness from the bean paste. The shop is a simple counter-style outlet, with little or no seating, and most customers buy portions to carry and eat while walking; dress is casual and the atmosphere is that of a busy neighbourhood sweet shop. There is no beverage programme beyond the tea or soft drinks available nearby. The shop is open from about 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. Reservations are not accepted and are not needed, since service is walk-in. The snack is best eaten fresh on the day it is made, because the soybean flour dries and the dough stiffens over time. It makes a good afternoon stop between the Mountain Resort and the city's temples.