What is a Taiwanese wheel cake (车轮饼)?
A wheel cake, or 车轮饼 (chē lún bǐng), is a small round cake cooked in metal molds and filled with a soft, generous center. The name literally means "wheel cake," a nod to its shape. The batter, close to a thick pancake, turns crispy at the edges while staying soft and airy inside. It's eaten hot, by hand, the way real street food should be.
Where does the wheel cake come from?
The 车轮饼 descends directly from Japanese imagawayaki, which first appeared in Tokyo in the 18th century. During the era when Taiwan was shaped by Japanese influence, this little cake crossed the sea and was reinvented in a Taiwanese style. From the 1970s onward, it could be found on nearly every corner of Taipei's night markets. The wheel cake became an absolute classic of Taiwanese street food, sold hot from the griddle late into the evening.
How is a wheel cake made?
It starts with fresh batter poured into round, sizzling-hot molds. The center is then filled, and two halves are pressed together to form a sealed disc. Cooking in metal molds creates that signature contrast: a golden, crispy crust around a tender, airy interior. Served straight from the mold while still hot, that's when its texture shines.
Sweet or savory: which should you pick?
The real strength of the 车轮饼 is its versatility. On the sweet side, the great classic is azuki red bean, followed by custard, matcha, choco-banana (nutella), black sesame, and taro. On the savory side, the wheel cake turns into a satisfying snack: ham and cheese, roast chicken, dried pork, or tuna and corn. Sweet for an afternoon treat, savory for a quick lunch, there's one for every moment.
Why does L'Infini Café make it from scratch?
At L'Infini Café, 3 Rue de Montmorency in Le Marais (Paris 3e), everything is fait maison. The batter is mixed fresh every morning, with no industrial premix. The azuki is slow-simmered for hours to reach a "tsubu-an" texture, where the beans stay whole. Founded in 2023 by two Chinese founders, the café carries a warm, bilingual French-and-Chinese voice, true to its tagline: "L'amour peut durer pour l'infini" (love can last for the infinite).
Alongside the wheel cakes, you'll also find specialty coffee, matcha, and asian-fusion drinks. It's the perfect place to taste a piece of Taipei in the heart of Paris: a cake crispy outside, soft inside, and served piping hot.
Where can you try a real wheel cake in Paris?
L'Infini Café is located at 3 Rue de Montmorency, 75003 Paris, just steps from the Arts et Métiers (L3, L11) and Rambuteau (L11) métro stations. The café is open Tuesday through Sunday, 12h to 20h (closed Monday).