The Taste of Mother | Jiaojiang Shibutang’s Eight-Ingredient Cake for Strengthening the Spleen: A Delicate Companion for Medicinal Diets

To further enhance the shared prosperity brand of "The Taste of Mother" and elevate the recognition and reputation of Taizhou’s intangible cultural heritage foods and traditional snacks, at the launch ceremony of the "The Taste of Mother" Women’s Shared Prosperity Market in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, ten outstanding snacks of Taizhou’s "The Taste of Mother" were selected on-site through recommendations from county-level women’s federations and evaluations by experts and the public. These snacks are distinguished by their regional characteristics, unique flavors, and embodiment of cultural heritage.

Now, we present a special series on the top ten snacks of "The Taste of Mother," taking you across Taizhou to explore the stories behind these delicacies, savor the nostalgia on the tip of the tongue, and feel the love and warmth of a mother’s touch. Let us awaken memories with our taste buds and convey happiness through food!

Eight-Ingredient Cake, a beloved medicinal snack among Taizhou locals, has been revitalized by the artisans at Shibutang. They are dedicated to restoring the most authentic taste of this classic snack. By refining the traditional recipe, they carefully select eight precious ingredients: ginseng, fox nut, coix seed, Chinese yam, dried tangerine peel, poria, lotus seed, and white hyacinth bean. Through eight grinding processes, these ingredients achieve a fine texture and are fully blended with finely milled glutinous and japonica rice flour. Following the traditional method of making rice cakes, the mixture is meticulously kneaded by hand to establish a soft and chewy foundation. Finally, a sesame filling is added, and the cakes are steamed in molds. The result is a soft, chewy treat with a subtle herbal aroma and the fragrance of sesame, known for its spleen-strengthening and stomach-nourishing effects.

Now, let’s step into Shibutang and listen to the story of intangible cultural heritage inheritance and innovation behind the Eight-Ingredient Cake for Strengthening the Spleen.

A Journey of Inheritance Spanning a Century

The story of Jiang Xiexing Shibutang began during the Republican era. In 1921, founder Mr. Jiang Chaojing established the first Jiang Xiexing Shibutang shop in Shitang, Wenling. Driven by his passion and dedication to the art of medicinal diets, he embarked on this journey of inheritance. Today, after four generations and a century of refinement, Jiang Xiexing Shibutang remains steadfast in its original mission. In 2004, descendants of Mr. Jiang Chaojing, including Xu Aiqin, founded Jiang Xiexing Shibutang Catering Management Co., Ltd., bringing this traditional craft to the stage of modern dining. In 2021, the traditional medicinal food preparation techniques of Wenling were recognized as a representative intangible cultural heritage project of Taizhou City. In the same year, the Wenling branch of Jiang Xiexing Shibutang was named a “Poetic Zhejiang · Hundred Counties, Thousand Bowls” culinary experience (demonstration) store. In 2024, the “Jiang Xiexing” brand was honored as a “Zhejiang Time-Honored Brand.” In 2025, Shibutang Taoxi Restaurant was selected for the Zhejiang Provincial “The Taste of Mother” Women’s Shared Prosperity Service Platform. Each accolade is a testament to this enduring legacy.

A Dream Pursuit of Medicinal Diet and Wellness

As an inheritor of Taizhou’s intangible cultural heritage, Xu Aiqin grew up observing her parents prepare medicinal foods. She persistently studied traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, gaining a deep understanding of the wellness philosophy that “food and medicine share the same origin.” In 2009, she opened a branch of Shibutang in Jiaojiang. After nine years of dedication, it was renamed Taizhou Shibutang Taoxi Catering Management Co., Ltd. The company spans over 2,000 square meters, employs more than 50 staff, and serves an average of 500–800 customers daily. The restaurant integrates authentic medicinal ingredients with local produce to develop a medicinal cuisine series focused on replenishing Qi and dispelling cold. Combined with Taizhou local dishes such as specialty stir-fries and fresh seafood, it is a comprehensive wellness restaurant themed around the 24 solar terms and medicinal diets.

To make Shibutang’s medicinal cuisine accessible to customers nationwide, Xu Aiqin established Taizhou Shibutang Food Technology Co., Ltd. in 2020. The company primarily produces pre-made medicinal food products based on the concept of “food and medicine sharing the same origin.” It boasts a research and development system integrating technological management, innovative product research, and the transformation of new technological achievements. Committed to building a professional domestic medicinal cuisine supply chain and a chain brand for medicinal diets, the company has been honored with awards such as the Gold Medal for High-Quality Products at the Zhejiang Chinese Medicinal Materials Expo and recognition as a Zhejiang Provincial Technology-Based Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise. In September 2023, Xu Aiqin led her culinary team to Germany, introducing traditional medicinal food preparation techniques to an international audience and contributing to the promotion of Taizhou’s culinary culture as a “City of Gastronomy.”

A Commitment to Common Prosperity

As a member of the Jiaojiang District People’s Political Consultative Conference representing the industrial and commercial sector, Xu Aiqin has long participated in activities such as fulfilling “micro-wishes” and social welfare projects. She has also partnered to support underprivileged students in Ebian County, Sichuan, aiding the growth of children from struggling families. Additionally, she has conducted public welfare classes on traditional medicinal food preparation techniques in schools, teaching students to identify herbs, pair ingredients, and promoting medicinal cuisine culture. Addressing the sub-health issues among young people, she proposed the concept of “single-serving” wellness meals, modernizing traditional stews and simplifying cooking processes to attract young people’s attention to healthy eating and contribute to improving overall societal health. Adhering to the principle of “doing practical things and performing good deeds,” she enhances citizens’ sense of gain and happiness through concrete actions.

In March 2025, at the launch ceremony of the Taizhou Women’s Shared Prosperity Market, Xu Aiqin was appointed as a “Hehe Sister” by the Municipal Women’s Federation. She will actively respond to Taizhou’s call to build a “City of Gastronomy,” combining wellness stews with the unique flavors of local “Taizhou cuisine” to spread the aroma of “Taizhou dishes” far and wide.

Translator：Jiayang Lin