Turnip cake, or “Lo Bak Go” in Cantonese, is a delicious and savory dish commonly enjoyed during the Chinese New Year. This traditional treat is a staple in breakfast dim sum and brunch recipes, offering a perfect balance of texture and flavor. Made with daikon radish, rice flour, and a mix of flavorful ingredients, turnip cake has a rich history and is cherished as one of the essential Chinese festival foods.
Ingredients
To make a delicious turnip cake, you will need the following lo bak go ingredients:
- 1 large daikon radish (about 2 lbs), grated
- 1 1/2 cups rice flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup dried shrimp, soaked and chopped (optional for vegetarian dim sum)
- 1/2 cup Chinese sausage, diced (optional)
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 3 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Soak the dried shrimp and dried mushrooms in warm water for about 30 minutes. Once softened, chop them into small pieces.
- Grate the daikon radish and place it in a pan over medium heat. Cook until softened and most of the liquid has been released. Reserve the liquid.
- In a mixing bowl, combine rice flour, cornstarch, and the reserved daikon liquid. Stir until smooth.
Step 2: Cook the Flavorful Mix
- In a pan, heat vegetable oil and sauté the dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, and mushrooms until fragrant.
- Add scallions, salt, sugar, white pepper, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Mix in the cooked daikon radish and remove from heat.
Step 3: Combine and Steam
- Slowly mix the rice flour batter with the cooked radish mixture.
- Transfer the batter into a greased steaming pan and spread evenly.
- Steam over high heat for about 50-60 minutes or until firm.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
- Let the turnip cake cool before slicing into rectangular pieces.
- For extra flavor, pan-fry the slices until golden brown before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A classic Chinese New Year dish perfect for celebrating.
- Ideal for breakfast dim sum or as part of a brunch menu.
- Versatile with different turnip cake variations, including vegetarian options.
- Easy to prepare with simple cooking techniques for lo bak go.
- Deliciously crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
My Tips for the Best Turnip Cake
- Use fresh daikon radish for the best texture and flavor.
- If making a vegetarian dim sum version, omit shrimp and sausage and increase mushrooms.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing to ensure firm pieces.
- Pan-fry before serving to achieve a crispy texture.
Serving Suggestions
Turnip cake pairs well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or chili oil. It also complements other dim sum dishes like shrimp dumplings and pork buns, making it a perfect addition to any meal.
Enjoy this traditional turnip cake recipe and share it with family and friends during festive occasions or as a tasty treat for any time of the year!
How to Make Traditional Turnip Cake
Description
Discover how to make delicious Chinese Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Go) at home! Enjoy its savory flavors and perfect texture with our easy recipe.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 210kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 13g20%
- Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
- Sodium 260mg11%
- Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 21g
- Protein 1g2%
- Calcium 20 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
