Flaky Turnip Cakes

A visit to downtown Taipei was never complete without a fried turnip cake, bought from a sidewalk vendor who cooked his wares in the open on a charcoal brazier. The filling was steaming and juicy and the flaky crust was coated with sesame seeds, some of which always stuck to my chin. The mess was part of the pleasure; these little pastries are the Chinese street food, bought on the run to eat as you go about your errands.

Mrs. Chiang’s turnip cakes are even better t