SHUNDE, Guangdong — A restaurant in southern China has turned a familiar Cantonese pastry into an unlikely social-media sensation by topping its egg tarts with whole, crispy insects that look remarkably like giant cockroaches.
The unusual dessert, called the “water roach egg tart,” has attracted widespread attention online, with photographs showing large, dark insects sitting directly on the golden custard pastries.
But despite their unsettling appearance and the name used to market the dish, the insects are reportedly not cockroaches.
According to the restaurant owner, surnamed Pan, the topping consists of edible diving beetles — aquatic insects that are consumed in some parts of China.
The restaurant is located in Shunde, Guangdong province, a city recognised internationally for its Cantonese food culture. The unusual pastry was introduced in early October and has since generated a mixture of curiosity, disbelief and disgust among social-media users. South China Morning Post+2
What exactly is inside the “cockroach egg tart”?
The restaurant’s unusual creation combines a traditional egg tart with a whole fried diving beetle.
Instead of being chopped into small pieces or hidden inside the pastry, the insect is placed visibly on top of the custard filling, giving the dessert its distinctive appearance.
Pan explained that the insects undergo several preparation steps before being served.
They are first deodorised to reduce their characteristic smell and then fried at a carefully controlled temperature until crispy. Their wings are deliberately left attached, preserving their appearance and contributing to the finished dish.
The owner described the final texture as something similar to placing a crispy potato chip on top of an egg tart.
The combination is intended to create a contrast between the sweet, creamy filling and the savoury crunch of the fried insect. South China Morning Post+2
How much does the unusual dessert cost?
Despite its unusual ingredients, the pastry is not being marketed as an expensive novelty.
A set of three costs 28 Chinese yuan, approximately US$4, according to reports.
Pan said the restaurant sells around 20 sets daily, with some adventurous customers reportedly travelling from Guangzhou and Hong Kong to try the unusual creation.
The restaurant’s decision to continue selling the dessert despite negative online reactions suggests that its unusual appearance has become part of its appeal.
For a wider look at how Chinese food businesses are experimenting with international and regional tastes, WWC ONE MEDIA previously explored how American and Chinese fast-food chains are crossing into each other’s markets. The Star+1
Social media reactions range from disgust to curiosity
Online reactions have been sharply divided.
Some users said the insects looked too much like cockroaches for them to consider eating the pastry.
Others questioned whether calling the insects water roaches made the dessert any more appealing.
However, some commenters showed curiosity about the ingredients and their place in regional food traditions.
The unusual pastry has also drawn attention because Guangdong is already associated with large flying cockroaches in popular jokes and online discussions.
That reputation has made the visual resemblance especially striking to people unfamiliar with the region’s insect-based food traditions. South China Morning Post+2
Are water beetles really used in traditional Chinese medicine?
The restaurant owner also highlighted the insects’ traditional medicinal associations.
Certain aquatic insects have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are traditionally believed to offer benefits involving blood circulation, skin, kidney health and muscle strength.
However, these are traditional beliefs and should not be confused with scientifically established medical benefits.
The fact that an insect has a history of traditional use does not automatically establish that eating it provides a proven health advantage.
The restaurant’s claims about nutritional and medicinal value should therefore be understood as the owner’s description of the product and its cultural background, rather than verified medical findings. South China Morning Post+2
Food safety remains important, even when unusual ingredients are intentional
There is an important difference between deliberately serving an edible insect as an ingredient and accidentally discovering an unwanted pest in food.
In this case, the restaurant says the diving beetles are intentionally prepared and served as part of the dish. The available reports do not establish that the restaurant was cited for a food-safety violation or that the product was found to be contaminated.
Nevertheless, unusual ingredients still require appropriate sourcing, handling, preparation and food-safety controls.
That distinction is particularly relevant as food contamination incidents continue to attract public attention across Asia.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously reported on a Hong Kong woman who discovered a live newborn rat inside her takeaway noodles, an incident that prompted an investigation into restaurant hygiene.
The publication has also examined food-safety concerns involving imported cabbage from China and pesticide concerns involving mushrooms used in popular Asian dishes.
These are different situations, but they highlight why consumers need clear information about ingredients, preparation methods and food handling.
An unusual dessert that has captured global attention
Shunde is known for its rich Cantonese culinary heritage, but this particular creation has attracted attention for reasons far removed from traditional egg-tart recipes.
For some diners, the fried diving beetle may be an adventurous regional delicacy. For others, its resemblance to a cockroach is enough to make the pastry impossible to stomach.
Either way, the restaurant has succeeded in making an obscure menu item a talking point far beyond its local customer base.
And while the dessert’s combination of sweet custard and crispy insect may appeal to adventurous eaters, one question remains:
Would you pay 28 yuan for three egg tarts topped with whole fried beetles — or would the sight alone be enough to put you off?
