This article contains a Chinese Turnip Cake recipe.
Chinese Turnip Cake is so delicious and is one of my favourite dim sums of all time! This is a super easy and authentic Chinese Turnip Cake recipe.
Chinese turnip cake, also known as radish cake or lo bak go, is a traditional Cantonese dish made from shredded white radishes, rice flour, and various seasonings. The ingredients are mixed together, poured into a pan, and steamed until firm. Then we put the cake in the fridge to chill, cut them into cubes or blocks, and pan-seared them until golden brown to serve.
The cake is served as a savoury dish, often with soy sauce, chilli paste or XO sauce. It can also be cut into small squares and served as a dim sum dish. You can always find it in a dim sum restaurant.
Chinese Turnip cake can be steamed, pan-seared, stir-fried with xo sauce, and many more. My favourite way is pan-seared. They are crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.
I have had my blog here for almost a year and just realized I hadn’t shared my recipe for Chinese Turnip cake, plus Chinese new year is in a week, I feel like this is the best time to share my recipe.
I have also shared other Chinese Recipes before, be sure to check them out:
What ingredients do we need to make this Chinese Turnip Cake Recipe?
- Chinese radishes (daikon), grated
- rice flour
- Cornstarch
- sugar
- salt & Pepper
- water & Daikon water
- vegetable oil
- Shallot, finely chopped
- garlic, minced
- Chinese Sausage
- Chinese Cured Pork Belly
- Chinese Dried Shrimp (soaked overnight)
- Dried Scallops (soaked overnight)
- Dried Shitake Mushroom (soaked overnight)
How far in advance can we make this Chinese Turnip Cake Recipe?
I always make this Chinese Turnip cake recipe a week in advance and make sure you keep it in an air-tight container in the fridge. Cut the cake throughout the week and pan-sear them to serve.
Keep in mind that the texture and flavour of the Chinese Turnip cake may change over time if you freeze it.
If you plan to serve it the same day, you can make the batter and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before cooking. This will allow the flavours to meld together and the texture to firm up.
If you plan to serve it the next day, you can make the batter and cook the cake, then wrap it well and store it in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to serve it, you can reheat it in a pan or steamer to bring it back to its original texture.
If you want to make it further in advance, you can freeze the cooked and cooled cake for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it in a pan or steamer.
Keep in mind that the texture of the turnip cake may change when stored and reheated, it may become denser.
Why do we make Chinese Turnip Cake Recipe for the Chinese/Lunar New Year?
Chinese turnip cake, also known as radish cake or lo bak go, is a traditional dish that is often eaten during the Lunar New Year. There are a few reasons why this dish is considered auspicious during the holiday:
- Homophonic puns: In Cantonese, the name of the dish “lo bak go” sounds similar to the phrase “good luck comes”. So eating it is believed to bring good luck for the upcoming year.
- Symbolism: The Chinese word for radish sounds similar to the word for “good fortune” or “abundance”, so eating radishes is thought to bring prosperity.
- A traditional dish: This savoury dish is a traditional Cantonese dish that has been enjoyed for generations. It is often a staple during family gatherings, and it is thought to bring people together and create a sense of unity.
- It’s a savoury dish: Chinese New Year is a time of indulgence, and many savoury dishes like Chinese turnip cake are commonly eaten to celebrate the occasion
In summary, Chinese turnip cake is traditionally eaten during the Lunar New Year because it is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and a sense of unity, and is a staple savoury dish for the occasion.
I hope you will try my Chinese Turnip Cake recipe and share it with your loved ones and family~
Is this Chinese Turnip Cake Recipe healthy?
Chinese turnip cake, also known as radish cake or lo bak go, can be considered a healthy dish as it is made with grated radishes and rice flour. These ingredients are low in calories and provide a good source of vitamins and minerals.
The radishes used in the dish are a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that supports the immune system. They also contain potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure and support heart health.
The rice flour used in the dish is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body. Additionally, it is gluten-free, making it a good option for those with gluten sensitivities.
However, it’s worth noting that the traditional recipe also includes oil and salt, which can make it high in fat and sodium if consumed in large quantities. Additionally, it can be pan-fried which will add additional calories. So, it is important to have it in moderation to make it healthy.
In summary, Chinese turnip cake can be considered a healthy dish if consumed in moderation, as it is made with nutrient-rich ingredients such as grated radishes and rice flour, but the addition of oil and salt can make it high in fat and sodium.
This Chinese turnip cake recipe is one of the most popular Chinese new year’s food, I hope you will cook along with me and share it with your loved ones~
What does Chinese Turnip cake taste like?
Chinese turnip cake, also known as radish cake or lo bak go, has a savoury and slightly sweet taste with a soft and dense texture. The main ingredient, grated Chinese radish, gives the cake a mild, slightly sweet, and earthy flavour. The rice flour and cornstarch give the cake a soft texture, while the shallot and garlic add a hint of savoury flavour. Some variations of the recipe also include dried shrimp, Chinese sausage or mushrooms, which add an umami taste to the dish.
The cake is typically steamed and then pan-fried, giving it a crispy exterior and a soft interior. The pan-frying process also gives the cake a slightly savoury and nutty flavour.
The taste of the cake can be enhanced with different dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, chilli sauce, Xo sauce or a mixture of them.
Overall, the Chinese turnip cake recipe is a savoury and slightly sweet dish with a unique blend of flavours and textures. The main ingredient, Chinese radish, gives it a mild, slightly sweet, and earthy flavour, while the rice flour and shallots add a soft texture and a hint of savoury flavour.
This Chinese Turnip Cake recipe is my favourite and I hope you will cook along with me.
What is Chinese Turnip Cake made of?
Chinese turnip cake, also known as radish cake or lo bak go, is a traditional Cantonese dish made from a combination of grated Chinese radishes, flour and various seasonings. The most common ingredients in a traditional Chinese turnip cake recipe include:
- Grated Chinese radishes (daikon): These are the main ingredient in the dish and give the cake its characteristic taste and texture.
- Rice flour and cornstarch: These ingredients are used to bind the grated radishes together and give the cake its soft texture.
- Sugar, salt and pepper: These ingredients are used to add sweetness and seasoning to the cake.
- Water and daikon water: These ingredients are used to hydrate the batter and give it a smooth consistency.
- Shallot and garlic: These ingredients are often added for flavour and aroma.
- Dried shrimp, Chinese sausages, and mushrooms: Some variations of the recipe also include these ingredients, which add an umami taste to the dish.
- vegetable oil: used for pan-frying the cake.
The ingredients are mixed together and then steamed before being pan-fried, giving it a crispy exterior and a soft interior. It is often served with a dipping sauce, such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, chilli sauce or XO sauce.
These ingredients are my way to make this Chinese turnip cake recipe so flavourful and delicious. I hope you will cook along with me today.
Super Easy and Authentic Chinese Turnip Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6.5 lbs Chinese radishes daikon, grated
- 453 g rice flour
- 275 g Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp sugar
- Some salt & Pepper
- 9 cups water & Daikon water
- Some vegetable oil
- 1 Shallot finely chopped
Half
garlic minced- 3 Chinese Sausage
- half Chinese Preserved Pork Belly
- 60 g Chinese Dried Shrimp soaked overnight
- 16 Dried Scallops soaked overnight
- 16 Dried Shitake Mushroom soaked overnight
- 1/4 cup Chinese Cooking wine
Instructions
- Shred radish.
- Put some salt and mix to the shredded radish. Let it rest for 30 minutes will help the radish to release more water.
- Chop Chinese sausages, Chinese preserved pork belly, mushrooms, and shrimp into smaller pieces and press scallops into strips.
- Squeeze excess water from the Turnip. You should have around 4 cups of water.
- In a large bowl, combine rice and cornstarch. Then pour in the turnip water, mix until no lump. Set asie.
- Save the water from soaking the dried ingredients, and you can add water to make up to 5 cups of liquid, then set it aside.
- Heat a large wok over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat.
- Add shallot and garlic, then cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add all other ingredients into the wok, except the liquids. Cook until aromatic, for about 5 minutes. Then pour in Chinese cooking wine. Mix and let it cook for 2 minutes.
- Set them aside.
- Heat a large wok over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl to coat. Then stir-fry the turnip for about 5 minutes. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the 5 cups of liquid into the wok to cook the turnip. Bring it to boil.
- Transfer the stir-fried dried ingredients into the wok, mix until combined.
- Turn down the heat, slowly pour in the rice flour mixture. Mix until the cake is thickened.
- Fill up the tin foil container. You will be able to make 3.
- Steam the cake over medium high heat for 1-1.5 hours.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and cilantro.
- Serve as it's.
- Refridgerate overnigt to set.
- Cut them into smaller pieces and pan sear to serve.
- Enjoy~
Video
Nutrition
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I hope you’ll enjoy this Chinese Turnip Cake Recipe with your loved ones!
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