The plum blossom cake, soft and chewy, boasts a subtle sweetness of red bean paste with a delicate wheat aroma. Actually, the fragrance of plum blossom cake has lingered on the Old Shendang Street for about half a century.

On a spring day, the old flagstone street of Gangnan Road (W) basks in the sunshine. Streams of fragrance drift from Zhu’s Plum Blossom Cake Shop draws tourists to walk in for a closer look.

As the freshly baked cake steams, the shop owner Zhu Jinlian will attach a small label stamped with the word “Shendang” to each piece of cake. Many visitors, cake in hand, pose for photos against the backdrop of the old street.

The craft of Zhu’s plum blossom cake making was transformed from Gaoyou, Jiangsu Province, to Haiyan over a hundred years ago. This shop developed from a roadside stall. In May 2024, the craft of Zhu’s plum blossom cake making was included in the eighth list of intangible cultural heritage of Haiyan, implying this time-honored craft received an official recognition.

Currently, this shop sells 200 to 300 pieces of cake per day, but up to 500 ones on holidays. After generations’ efforts, the plum blossom cake has lingered on this old street for 46 years, with its sweet scent being remained in locals’ hearts.