Gaoqiao, a rich, flaky pastry, is the namesake snack of Gaoqiao Town in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area. Small wonder that it is so popular. Its 16 light layers of crust and its savory fillings create a divine taste.

Traditionally, Pudong locals always serve Gaoqiao pastry on special occasions, such as weddings, Spring Festival, the Double Ninth Festival and a baby’s firth birthday.

An authentic Gaoqiao cake uses only the finest ingredients. The shortening has to be lard from pigs, preferably raised on the northern side of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province. The red bean paste must use beans from Chongming Island, which are considered the tastiest. The water must be pure, which meant cold, clear well water two decades ago but now calls for premium bottled water. Gaoqiao fillings can be pork or a sweet paste of various ingredients, such as red beans, candied melon, sweet osmanthus, nuts and seeds.