Year Cake

Nin go translates as “year cake.” The words also sound like “growing every year”—as in physical growth for children, or growth and success of a business. This sweet glutinous rice cake was said to placate the mythical monster Nian, who would hunt for animals and people in the winter. A man named Gao made these cakes and placed them in front of each house to feed the monster, and the villagers were saved. Another story behind this cake is that they’re made as an offering to