Turnip cake

Turnip Cake

A plate of turnip cake

Chai tow kway, a dish similar to turnip cake

Turnip cake (Chinese: ___; pinyin: lu�bo g_o ) is a traditional Chinese dish made from shredded daikon (a type of radish) and rice flour. It is commonly served in dim sum restaurants and is a popular dish during the Chinese New Year.

Ingredients and Preparation

The main ingredients of turnip cake include shredded daikon, rice flour, and water. Additional ingredients often include Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, and shiitake mushrooms, which are added for flavor. The mixture is seasoned with soy sauce, salt, and sugar.

To prepare turnip cake, the daikon is first shredded and cooked until tender. It is then mixed with rice flour and other ingredients to form a thick batter. This batter is poured into a mold and steamed until it solidifies. Once cooled, the cake is sliced into rectangular pieces and pan-fried until the exterior is golden and crispy.

Variations

Turnip cake has several regional variations. In Hong Kong, it is often served as part of a dim sum meal, while in Taiwan, it may be found in night markets. A similar dish, known as chai tow kway, is popular in Singapore and Malaysia, although it is made with rice flour and radish but often includes eggs and is stir-fried.

Cultural Significance

Turnip cake is traditionally eaten during the Chinese New Year as it symbolizes prosperity and rising fortunes. The word "cake" (_, g_o) sounds like "tall" or "high" in Chinese, which is associated with growth and progress.

Related Pages

• Dim sum
• Chinese New Year
• Daikon
• Chai tow kway

References

• "Turnip Cake Recipe." Chinese Food Recipes. Retrieved from [1].
• "Dim Sum: A Flour-Forward Tradition." Culinary Traditions. Retrieved from [2].

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  Turnip cake
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  Chai tow kway