Radish Shredded Pancake, also known as You Dun Zi (油墩子), is a popular local snack inside Wuzhen Xizha. It's a well-known street food that often draws long lines, and even some celebrities have tried it. When we asked our guesthouse owner for food recommendations, this was one of the top suggestions.
Actually, shredded radish pancakes are quite common and can be found in many places — it’s not exactly a rare delicacy. So, is it really that delicious? You’ll have to try it yourself to find out.
There was definitely a crowd — just look for a long line of people and you’ll spot Xiao Mazi’s Radish Shredded Pancake stall easily. The line extended all the way into a nearby alley. If you're visiting Wuzhen with a group of friends, you can take turns queuing while others explore the area. The wait does take some time because each pancake is freshly made and deep-fried on the spot — no pre-made or half-fried batches here.
The biggest challenge at that moment? Needing to pee while waiting.
It was scorching hot standing near the frying station — imagine how the chef must feel! Despite the long line, there was only one frying pot, so the process was slow. The frying method is similar to Taiwan’s fried oyster cakes: the batter separates naturally in the oil. Whether it’s ready depends on the chef’s judgment and the golden color.
You can taste the crunch of the radish shreds and their slight sweetness. The pancake wasn’t fried too thoroughly, so the dough part wasn’t crispy. The radish flavor was strong, but there was also a bit of an oily aftertaste — and yes, it was quite greasy.
They also sell fresh meat spring rolls, which surprisingly didn’t require waiting in line. We bought one simply because — well, we were already there, so why not give it a try?
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