Chai tow kway

Chai Tow Kway

A plate of chai tow kway

Chai Tow Kway (also known as "fried carrot cake") is a popular dish in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia. Despite its name, the dish does not contain any carrots. Instead, it is made from radish cake, which is a mixture of rice flour and white radish.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredient in chai tow kway is the radish cake, which is first steamed and then cut into cubes. These cubes are then stir-fried with a variety of ingredients, including:

• Garlic
• Eggs
• Preserved radish (known as "chai poh")
• Soy sauce
• Spring onions

There are two main styles of chai tow kway: the "white" version and the "black" version. The white version is simply fried with eggs and does not include any sweet sauce, while the black version is fried with a sweet dark soy sauce.

Variations

Chai tow kway can be found in many hawker centers and food courts across Singapore and Malaysia. Each vendor may have their own unique twist on the dish, adding ingredients such as:

• Chili paste for a spicy kick
• Prawns or other seafood
• Bean sprouts for added texture

Cultural Significance

Chai tow kway is a staple in the Teochew cuisine and is often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack. It is a beloved dish that reflects the multicultural influences in Southeast Asian cuisine, combining elements from Chinese, Malay, and Indian culinary traditions.

Related Pages

• Teochew cuisine
• Hawker centre
• Singaporean cuisine
• Malaysian cuisine