Turnip cake

Turnip cake, often referred to as radish cake or carrot cake depending on the locale, is a cherished Chinese dim sum dish, particularly popular during Cantonese yum cha. This savory delicacy is traditionally made from shredded radish and rice flour. To enhance its flavor, chefs frequently incorporate dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, Chinese sausage, and Jinhua ham.

You can find turnip cake on nearly every dim sum menu in Hong Kong, China, and Chinatowns worldwide. It is a quintessential dish, especially during Chinese New Year, owing to the auspicious homophones related to radish. In Taiwan, it is commonly enjoyed as part of the breakfast repertoire.

The process of making turnip cake is relatively simple: you shred Chinese radish and blend it with water, rice flour, and occasionally a bit of corn starch. This mixture is then steamed until it sets into a cake-like consistency.

Once cooked, turnip cake can be enjoyed as-is with a splash of soy sauce. For an alternative texture, try pan-frying it to achieve a crispy golden crust. It is typically served with chili sauce or hoisin sauce for dipping. Additionally, you can stir-fry it to create dishes like chai tow kway.

For those feeling adventurous, you can substitute the radish with turnips, taro, or even pumpkin to craft different variations of this delectable treat.