For over a century, Lukang’s Yu Jen Jai has been deeply cherished by many. Our wedding cakes are not only delicious and made with authentic ingredients but, more importantly, they carry a rich and heartwarming Taiwanese blessing. In the past, distributing wedding cakes was a complex art—deciding how much to give and to whom while maintaining social etiquette was often a daunting task. As times have changed, many traditional marriage taboos may no longer be practical, and the way we share wedding cakes has become simpler. By following clear guidelines, you can send your gifts in a way that is both appropriate and heartwarming. To learn more about the culture of traditional wedding cakes, please visit our “Education Center” for related articles.
In traditional customs, the groom prepares “Six Gifts” or “Twelve Gifts” for the bride’s family, with wedding cakes being one of the essentials. After the betrothal ceremony and the wedding date are set, the bride’s family distributes these cakes to relatives and friends. This tradition carries two meanings: first, the groom expresses gratitude to his parents-in-law for raising the bride; second, the bride’s family announces the marriage and shares their joy. In return, the bride’s family prepares a “return gift” for the groom, usually six or twelve boxes of wedding cakes, for the groom to offer to his ancestors and share with his elders and relatives.
Besides the cakes shared with others, there are “Puffed Rice Cakes” and “Zhuangyuan Cakes” (Scholar Cakes). The groom gives the bride Puffed Rice Cakes, following the proverb: “Eat rice cakes, marry a good husband,” symbolizing a happy marriage. In return, the bride’s family gives Zhuangyuan Cakes, wishing the groom great career success and prosperity, reflecting the blessing: “Eat Scholar Cakes, marry a scholar husband, and give birth to scholar children.
In traditional customs, the groom prepares two sets of “Six-Color Wedding Candies” for the betrothal ceremony. After the ceremony, the bride’s family keeps one set and returns the other to the groom. Notably, the bride’s family must not keep the longans; instead, the bride-to-be “steals” and eats two of them. As longans symbolize the groom’s eyes, this act signifies that after marriage, the groom will have eyes only for his bride. The Six-Color Wedding Candies consist of various treats, each carrying a sweet and auspicious meaning: Red dates and melon seeds bless the couple with “early arrival of children”; crystal sugar and candied winter melon symbolize a “sweet and harmonious life”; candied tangerines sound like “auspiciousness” in Chinese; and longans, also known as “fortune circles,” represent fulfillment and a flourishing family. These can be ordered along with your wedding cakes.
How to Choose the Right Wedding Cake?
Also known as the “Marriage Union Cake,” this set consists of six different types of traditional Chinese pastries. It is traditionally used to announce a daughter’s marriage to friends and relatives or as a return gift to thank guests for attending the wedding banquet.
Weight | 120g per piece, 6 pieces total
Design | Square shape, two-piece box (base and lid)
Size | 32.2cm × 31.7cm × 5.5cm
Also known as “Ri-tou-bing,” this is the most widely recognized wedding cake. Its large, circular shape symbolizes perfection and harmony. Beyond the “He-zi-bing” (assorted sets), it is customary to gift an additional Large Cake to esteemed relatives—such as the maternal uncle, who holds a high status in traditional culture—to ensure proper etiquette and respect.
Weight | 600g
Design | Circular shape, two-piece box (base and lid)
Size | 23.8cm × 23.8cm × 6.1cm
Also known as “Mandarin Duck Cakes” (Yuan-yang-bing), this set consists of two 600g large wedding cakes. It represents “the perfect pair” and symbolizes the eternal union and harmony of the newlywed couple.
Weight | 600g + 600g
Design | Rectangular horizontal box, two-piece (base and lid)
Size | 42.8cm × 24cm × 4.5cm
The romantic and stylish purple exterior unfolds like a blooming flower when opened. Each tier contains a variety of Yu Jen Jai products that can be customized to your preference, satisfying every guest’s palate.
Weight ｜ Total weight varies by selection
Outer Design ｜ Square box, 3D structure, slide-on sleeve (left-right), topped with a purple ribbon
Contents ｜ East-meets-West fusion, 3 tiers total. (Tier 1: Candies & Snacks; Tier 2: Western & Traditional Mini Crispy Pastries; Tier 3: 12-liang Large Cake) Size ｜ 21cm21cm21.5cm
As the popular saying goes, “Eat rice cakes, marry a good husband.” Sharing and enjoying this puffed rice cake symbolizes the blessing of finding a wonderful lifelong partner.
Weight ｜ 250g
Design ｜ Circular shape, two-piece box (base and lid)
Size ｜ 23.8cm23.86.1cm
One of the return gifts from the bride’s family to the groom during the betrothal ceremony, representing the hope for the groom’s career success and prosperity. It also carries the traditional blessing: “Eat Scholar Cakes, marry a scholar husband, and give birth to scholar children.”
Weight ｜ 300g
Design ｜ Circular shape, two-piece box (base and lid)
Size ｜ 23.8cm23.86.1cm
FAQ
Q1. Can the pastry crust be customized? For example, using the pineapple cake crust with different fillings.
Our master bakers at Yu Jen Jai have meticulously balanced the ingredient ratios for each flavor using traditional methods. Customizing the crust or filling can lead to issues such as inconsistent hardness, shorter shelf life, or structural deformation. Therefore, we generally recommend sticking to our original recipes for the best quality.
Q2. Do all wedding cakes contain egg yolk, regardless of size?
Aside from the “He-zi-bing” (small assorted cakes), all other large circular wedding cakes contain egg yolk. If you require Lacto-vegetarian cakes, Yu Jen Jai can customize them for you by removing the egg yolk from the filling and omitting the egg wash on the crust.
Q3. Do Lacto-vegetarian wedding cakes always look pale or white?
Currently, our Lacto-vegetarian cakes have a pale creamy-yellow appearance. Since yellow/gold is an auspicious color for weddings, Yu Jen Jai applies natural carrot juice to the crust to add a beautiful warm hue and festive touch!
For further inquiries, please call +886-4-2319-3072. Our customer service team will be happy to assist you.
