炸糕 (zhá gāo) is a traditional Chinese snack made from glutinous rice dough that is deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside and soft, chewy, and slightly sticky inside. The character 炸 (zhá) means 'to deep-fry', indicating the cooking method, while 糕 (gāo) refers to 'cake' or 'steamed/glutinous rice confection' — together, they literally mean 'deep-fried cake'. It’s commonly sold by street vendors in northern China, especially in Beijing and Tianjin, and often filled with sweet red bean paste or enjoyed plain with sugar.

This treat is typically eaten as a breakfast item or afternoon snack, often paired with soy milk or tea. Though similar in name to other 'gāo' foods like niángāo (steamed glutinous rice cake), zhá gāo is distinguished by its frying process and crisp texture. Regional variations exist — some versions use wheat flour or add sesame seeds — but the core identity remains a simple, beloved fried rice cake.