Abstract The physicochemical and scanning electron micrograph characteristics of Radix Cynanchi bungei (RCb) starch were investigated. RCb starch presented an apparent amylose content of 20.1%, less than that of potato starch (23.6%), with a granule size ranging from 5 to 15 μm with round, spherical and polygonal shapes and B‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern. The RVA pasting properties of RCb starch were similar to those of potato starch, with pasting temperature of 60.8°C, lower than that of potato starch (64.3°C). The gelatinization parameters of RCb starch were found to be 55.9°C (To), 60.0°C (Tp), 66.6°C (TC) and 13.2 J/g (ΔH) while those of potato starch were 58.9°C, 63.5°C, 68.6°C and 13.2 J/g. Both RCb and potato starch pastes behaved as high shear‐thinning liquids. RCb starch pastes had lower apparent viscosity than potato starch pastes at the same shear rate.