Photo credit: @bonchan (via Instagram)
2 Turnip cake (蘿蔔糕)
Let’s be honest, there’s never a wrong time to tuck into a slice of turnip cake (蘿蔔糕; lo4 baak6 gou1). While this steamed savoury cake is widely enjoyed in Cantonese restaurants and cha chaan tengs all year round—particularly on dim sum occasions—it is absolutely indispensable during Chinese New Year. It is considered a lucky dish as the word radish bears the same pronunciation as “good fortune” in Hokkein, a language native to southeastern China.
As the name gives away, turnip is a key ingredient in this cake, along with rice flour as the binding agent to create a tender yet still somewhat firm texture. The best part of a turnip cake though, as anyone who has had before will tell you, is the umami-rich accoutrements loaded inside, which commonly include Chinese sausages, mushrooms, and dried shrimp.
It is not uncommon to see families make their own turnip cakes for the new year. For shop-bought options, Superstar Group is a go-to spot for a traditional turnip cake, while vegetarians can head to Kee Wah Bakery for their meat-free variation made with Chinese yam and assorted mushrooms. To serve, cut the cake into rectangular slices, pan-fry until both sides are crispy (or slightly burnt for extra textural dimension), and have it with oyster sauce or hot sauce! You can also find turnip cakes at these restaurants and hotels across Hong Kong.