Turnip cake (Lo Bak Go) is a classic savory dim sum dish that is also commonly made during Chinese New Year. This homemade vegan version is generously studded with shiitake mushrooms, scallions and bell peppers.
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Vegan Turnip Cakes (Lo Bak Go/蘿蔔糕)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Turnip cake (Lo Bak Gou) is a classic savory dim sum dish that is also commonly made during Chinese New Year. This homemade vegan version is generously studded with shiitake mushrooms, scallions and bell peppers.
Ingredients
Filling
- ½ bell pepper, finely diced (100g)
- 6-8 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated
- 4 scallions, whites and greens seperated
- 2 tbsp mushroom sauce (or hoisin sauce)
- ½ tsp salt
Daikon
- 600g radish
- 1 ⅓ cup water + shiitake mushroom soaking liquid total to cook (this gets removed and-re measured)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp kombu dashi powder or mushroom powder, optional
- ½ tsp salt
- 110g rice flour
- 40g corn starch
- 200ml water + cooking liquid total
Instructions
- In a pan, over medium heat add the garlic and fry for a few seconds. Add the white part of the scallions, shiitake mushrooms, bell peppers, mushroom sauce and salt, and cook for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in the green onions. Remove the filling from the pan onto another dish and set aside.
- Wash and peel the daikon. Weigh out 600 grams and then set aside 200g. Take 400 grams and shred with a grater or food processor. Take the remaining 200 grams and slice them into match sticks. If you prefer a smooth turnip cake, you can also shred all 600g of the daikon.
- Measure out the liquid the shiitake mushrooms were soaking in. Then add additional water until you have 1 ⅓ cup. Using the same pan, add the the daikon, water/shiitake water, garlic powder, sugar, dashi powder and salt. Cook for 5 minutes covered, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t brown. When the daikon is cooked, it will look translucent. Fish out the daikon and measure out the liquid. Add water to get a total of 200ml (about ¾ cup + 1 tbsp).
- Make the batter by adding in the rice flour, corn starch and salt to the daikon mixture. Mix until well incorporated. Then add in the filling and mix. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes or until thickened.
- Stir once more and then pour into parchment lined or oiled pan that fits your steamer basket. You may need to use two small vessels. I used two 6x8 inch mini pans. Place the pan into a steamer and steam over medium high for 30-40 mins (depending on the size).
- After cooked, remove the pot from the stove and open the steamer basket lid. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then discard any water that may have accumulated on the surface. Cover and let it set in the refrigerator for 1 hour (I usually let it sit overnight). Remove from pan and then slice into ½ inch thickness.
- You can eat it as is, but it's most commonly served pan fried. Pan fry the radish cakes over medium to medium high heat until both sides are crispy to your liking. Serve soy sauce, black vinegar, chili crisp oil, sambal oelek and/or hoisin sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- *This turnip cake is generous on the filling, which I personally prefer. If you like turnip cakes with less filling and a smoother consistency, use ½-2/3 of the amount listed.
- Helpful Equipment:
- Nutritional Information Disclaimer: Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated on an online tool (Cronometer).
SAVE IT FOR LATER! ↓
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Jasmine
No bland turnip cake here! The filling is very flavourful. The texture of these is perfect! Not super mushy like traditional turnip cakes since not all the daikon was shredded. Easy to cut into squares and didn’t fall apart. Holds its shape really well too when it’s being pan-fried. Delicious! 😋💕
★★★★★
Daisy M
This was definitely more work than I'm willing to put into a regular meal, but SO delicious and SO worth it for the Lunar New Year! It was time-consuming, but instructions were easy to follow and the method was easy too! Absolutely a must-try.
★★★★★
Max
Made these for some friends on Lunar New Year and they were soooo good, so much umami!
Process takes a while, but the result is worth it.
★★★★★
Jen
this was yummy and pretty easy to make!
★★★★★
@spiceupyourplants
Hi Lisa, recipe looks great. I want to make it this weekend. Where you mention fishing out the cooked radish, do you discard the liquid? Or add it back once you add the mushrooms? A bit confused since I didn't see that listed (or missed it? ) .
Eva Papakonstantinou
Tried this first time this Lunar New Year and it won’t be the last!
Very easy and tasty!
★★★★★