Of the numerous native hawker delicacies that we Singaporeans love feasting on, Fried Carrot Cake 菜头粿 is an undoubted favorite. Don’t be mistaken by its identify; there’s completely no connection or resemblance to the Western carrot cake that’s eaten as a dessert, nor does the dish include any precise carrots.
Though carrot cake is colloquially generally known as chai tow kway, a extra correct identify for it’s 萝卜糕 (luo bo gao) which interprets to ‘radish cake’. Someplace down the road, it bought misplaced in translation and the identify ‘carrot cake’ arose as a substitute.
For the uninitiated, the dish consists of radish (white carrot) cake cubes stir-fried with eggs and preserved radish, higher generally known as chye poh. For me, a minimum of, chilli is a must-add for that further kick!
Two variations exist: black or white. The previous is fried with darkish soy sauce, giving it a pleasing sweetness, whereas the latter is fried solely with overwhelmed eggs to kind a crispy crust.
Now, let’s get on to the 16 finest fried carrot desserts in Singapore which can be value your indulgence.
Headed by a hanging yellow signboard sporting its identify in enormous characters, 炒菜头粿 Fried Carrot Cake is inconceivable to overlook. Regardless of its easy identify, this stall has formed as much as be a must-try while you’re within the space. Not satisfied? Let its attribute lengthy queues do the speaking.
To many, it’s affectionately dubbed ‘448 Carrot Cake’, synonymous with Clementi 448 Market & Meals Centre, the hawker centre that homes it.
Their Black Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4) is great; I say this as somebody who grew up having this each weekend after tuition class, and who’s all the time had excessive requirements for chai tow kway. The radish cake chunks are comfortable and easy, complemented nicely by the savoury chye poh and chewy egg bits. Completely candy and moist, it makes for an absolute deal with.
They’re stated to promote out by the early afternoon, so it’s finest when you make your means down early to safe your self a plate.
As a fervent member of Workforce Black, I by no means as soon as thought that Workforce White stood a preventing likelihood. That was till I attempted He Zhong Carrot Cake at Bukit Timah Market & Meals Centre.
He Zhong is what I name a “one-dish surprise”. Their sole menu merchandise, White Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5) by no means fails to rack up queues even inside an ever-popular hawker centre teeming with selection. The dish is a success with frequent and new patrons alike, myself included.
The carrot cake right here is fried and served in “blocks”. For S$3, you’ll get a satisfying 2-block serving. The comfortable and moist radish cake cubes are dotted with bits of chye poh that lend an umami kick, blanketed altogether by a flippantly charred egg crust. In the event you decide to have your dish spicy, it’ll be paired with an excellent hae bee-filled chilli.
The dish is a success with frequent and new patrons alike, myself included. They’re so common that they occupy 2 models, of which one is devoted solely to takeaway orders. Nonetheless, brace your self for a wait of a minimum of quarter-hour when you make your means down for his or her carrot cake. Alternatively, you’ll be able to ring them as much as place your order upfront.
51 Higher Bukit Timah Street, Bukit Timah Market & Meals Centre, #02-182/185, Singapore 588215 +65 8498 9211 Mon to Tue & Sat: 6am – 8pm Wed: 6am – 1pm Thu & Fri: 6am – 8.30pm Closed on Solar
Tian Tian Fa, positioned in Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Market, has grow to be my go-to chai tow kway stall of late. Whereas its proximity to our workplace is a large plus, my common patronage is primarily fuelled by the standard of their fare.
It’s essential to order the Black Fried Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5). It was my first meal on the day I started my stint at SETHLUI.com, and has been a daily lunch affair of mine ever since. In my humble opinion, their carrot cake ticks off all the best containers.
The radish cake cubes are comfortable and completely complemented by the chye poh and egg bits. What’s extra, you don’t have to fret about plain patches in your dish as every factor is coated nicely in that sweet-savoury sauce. To prime all of it off, it boasts a outstanding wok hei.
210 Lor 8 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Lorong 8 Market, #01-42, Singapore 310210 Every day: 6am – 12pm
4. 源成菜头粿 Yuan Cheng Fried Carrot Cake
Yuan Cheng Carrot Cake is positioned within the low-key Telok Blangah Meals Centre and has been for over 3 a long time. The stall’s purple signboard with light photos of their carrot cake isn’t its solely enduring characteristic; the lengthy queues are, too.
Yuan Cheng affords each Black and White Carrot Cake (S$3.50/S$4/S$5). Spoilt for alternative? You will get a mixture of each with their Yuan Yang (S$3.50/S$4/S$5) choice. Additionally, their carrot cake is fried with vegetable oil, so your indulgence is a tad more healthy.
Their Black Carrot Cake stands among the many finest I’ve eaten. The radish cake cubes have simply the best steadiness of firmness and moisture, stir-fried with an ample quantity of fluffy eggs. It has a refined but noteworthy crisp lent by a barely caramelised candy sauce and smoky chye poh bits.
79 Telok Blangah Dr, Telok Blangah Meals Centre, #01-33, Singapore 100079 +65 9859 3031 Fri to Wed: 4am – 2pm Closed on Thu
5. Guan Kee Fried Carrot Cake
In the event you do a fast on-line seek for Guan Kee Fried Carrot Cake, you’ll see its historical past listed out on its Google Maps profile.
Guan Kee’s origins will be traced again to the Nineteen Fifties, whereby they began out as a humble chai tow kway pushcart in then-kampung Bugis. In 1978, the pushcart was upgraded to a hawker stall inside Albert Meals Centre, the place it nonetheless resides in the present day.
Guan Kee’s White and Black Carrot Cake are priced at S$4.50 for a Small portion and S$6 for a Giant. In the event you’d prefer to have extra eggs in yours, they’ve an choice for that too, priced at S$5 (Small) and S$7 (Giant).
The Black Carrot Cake is the epitome of wok-kissed perfection. The radish cake cubes held a agency but bouncy chew, enhanced by crispy bits of fried chye poh that contributed to an general savoury flavour profile. Albeit somewhat pricier than most others I’ve come throughout, it’s completely well worth the semi-splurge.
270 Queen St, Albert Centre Market, #01-59, Singapore 180270 Every day: 7am – 9pm
6. Unforgettable Carrot Cake 忘不了萝卜糕
Of 115 Bukit Merah View Hawker Centre’s quite a few carrot cake stalls, Unforgettable Carrot Cake stood out to me. I imply, how might anybody neglect that identify? It’s additionally value mentioning that the stall boasts a spot on the 2023 Michelin Information Singapore.
The stall’s chai tow kway is available in each Black and White variations in simply 2 sizes, priced at S$4 and S$5 respectively. Do be aware that mixing shouldn’t be allowed, although, as mirrored on a discover pasted on their stall entrance.
You’ll discover that the uncle makes use of 2 woks to fry his carrot cake. The primary holds simply radish cake cubes which can be seemingly left there to “soak up” the wok hei. I observed that they’re chunkier than common – a wise strategy to get the flavours of the radish throughout!
He’ll then give the radish cake chunks a toss earlier than transferring them over to a different wok, through which your order is fried accordingly. In my order of Black Carrot Cake, the cake cubes noticed a beneficiant drizzle of candy black sauce on prime of the addition of chye poh, garlic and overwhelmed eggs.
In the event you favor your chai tow kway much less candy, Unforgettable Carrot Cake’s tackle the dish is made for you. I additionally significantly appreciated its outstanding wok hei, supplemented by the inclusion of crispy charred bits.
115 Bukit Merah View, Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, #01-30, Singapore 115115 +65 9325 2500 Every day: 6am – 2pm
Housed in the identical meals centre as Unforgettable Carrot Cake, Bukit Merah View Carrot Cake is yet one more common stall for chai tow kway. Although its identify is extra simple, the stall is recognised and generally frequented all the identical.
The Black Carrot Cake (S$3.50/S$4/S$5) appears to be a must-order right here. What you’ll get is a hearty plate of radish cake cubes which can be generously lined with eggs, tied collectively by a light-weight crisp. The radish cake cubes have a agency, bouncy texture which many might discuss with as QQ. It isn’t overly greasy and thus isn’t too cloying. Don’t neglect to ask for many chilli to spice it up!
115 Bukit Merah View, Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, #01-37, Singapore 151115 +65 9689 8696 Every day: 6am – 2pm & 4pm – 8pm
Grandfather Carrot Cake is positioned in Soy Eu Tua coffeeshop alongside Higher East Coast Street. It’s helmed by Mr Huge Kodo (大四哥), who has been chargeable for noteworthy ventures similar to Fort Canning Huge Prawn Noodleand the now-closed Grandfather Meals Empire Bak Chor Mee.
Grandfather Carrot Cake retains its indulgence old-school, frying up plates of White/Black Carrot Cake (S$4.50/S$5.50/S$6.50) with pork lard upon prospects’ requests. Because of this, the comfortable radish desserts sport an almost-crackly crust and are exceptionally aromatic.
The Black Carrot Cake specifically has an addictive sweet-savoury flavour profile, elevated by crispy charred eggs and an intense wok hei.
You’re additionally in for a deal with when you love chye poh – every plate of carrot cake is adorned with a liberal sprinkle of crunchy chye poh that you simply gained’t need to fastidiously ration as you eat. You may as well depend on the fiery house-made chilli for an added kick.
15 Higher E Coast Rd, Singapore 455207 Every day: 7am – 3.30pm Fb | Instagram
Ghim Moh Carrot Cake requires no introduction; carrot cake connoisseurs would undoubtedly recognise the stall in a heartbeat.
The favored stall, located in Ghim Moh Street Market & Meals Centre, had a second at ABC Brickworks Market & Meals Centre that has since shuttered. Nonetheless, the unique stall remains to be going robust, with their handmade carrot cake drawing snaking queues recurrently.
As you’ll be able to inform from its deep shade, the Black Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5) holds a lot wok hei. It’s fried with a beneficiant quantity of darkish soy sauce and thus leans candy. The sweetness is properly contrasted by the savoury bits of chye poh scattered all through, permitting the dish to realize a pleasant flavour steadiness.
20 Ghim Moh Street, Ghim Moh Street Market & Meals Centre, #01-16, Singapore 270020 Wed to Fri: 6.30am – 1pm Sat & Solar: 6.30am – 2pm Closed on Mon & Tue
Right here’s yet one more stall with plain ol’ ‘Carrot Cake’ as its identify, derived from its namesake signature dish. It might be easy, however can definitely seize the eye of hungry patrons craving a superb plate of chai tow kway. Although Chomp Chomp Meals Centre homes quite a few carrot cake stalls, this stands as one of the crucial common.
They provide each Black and White Carrot Cake (S$3/S$5). No blended choice, although. If it eases your alternative, go for the Black when you favor candy and stronger flavours, and get the White when you love chye poh and crisped edges. Their carrot cake is alleged to have a novel flavour it owes to a secret recipe, enhanced by the addition of prawns. Two thumbs up!
20 Kensington Park Street, Chomp Chomp Meals Centre, #01-36, Singapore 557269 Wed to Sat: 5.30pm – 12am Solar: 5.30pm – 10pm Closed Mon & Tue
Prepared your self for a wait of as much as 40 minutes upon dropping your order at Chey Sua Carrot Cake. Yup, they’re that busy. Apart from, what extra would you anticipate from a stall that’s earned itself constant listings within the Michelin Bib Gourmand on prime of numerous accolades plastered on its entrance?
Chey Sua Carrot Cake solely serves White Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5). When you tuck in, you’ll perceive why persons are prepared to attend so lengthy for a plate.
The carrot cake is crispy, comfortable, and stuffed with wok hei. The radish desserts are steamed in aluminium tins, leading to a silky texture. You’ll discover chye poh scattered all through your plate, together with shiny orange carrot strips which can be seldom discovered elsewhere. Merely superb!
Block 127, Toa Payoh Lorong 1, Toa Payoh West Market and Meals Court docket, #02-30, Singapore 310127 +65 6254 6323 Wed to Solar: 6.30am – 1pm Closed on Mon & Tue Fb
福顺菜头粿 Hock Quickly Carrot Cake is one other chai tow kway stall in Ghim Moh Street Market & Meals Centre. It’s nonetheless value your whereas, although, given how extremely people who dwell across the space communicate of the stall.
The White Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5) comes with barely comfortable but easy-to-chew radish cake cubes and a gentle perfume enhanced by the candy chye poh bits and crispy layer of eggs. Don’t neglect to ask for chilli to raise your plate of White Carrot Cake; you’ll perceive the hype.
20 Ghim Moh Street, Ghim Moh Street Market & Meals Centre, #01-29, Singapore 270020 +65 8660 7250 Mon: 6am – 12pm Tue to Solar: 6am – 7pm
Dubbed the most well-liked carrot cake stall in Bendemeer Market & Meals Centre is none aside from Hai Sheng Carrot Cake. They’re recognized for his or her stable Black and White Carrot Cake priced from simply S$2 a plate! In the event you’d like an even bigger portion, there’s a S$3 choice as nicely.
Nevertheless, do be aware that the early hen catches the worm right here, as Hai Sheng Carrot Cake closes at 11am and is alleged to promote out earlier on most days.
You’ll have the lengthy queue time to determine whether or not you need the Black or White choice; no blended parts can be found. The Black Carrot Cake right here is nice and spicy, and is available in a beneficiant portion regardless of its worth. In case you have a poor urge for food, convey a good friend or two alongside for a hearty breakfast!
29 Bendemeer Street, Bendemeer Market & Meals Centre, #01-85, Singapore 330029 +65 9182 7272 Every day: 6am – 11am
Like at Hai Sheng Carrot Cake, be ready to combat the morning fatigue in order for you a share of Hong Heng Teochew Carrot Cake’s chai tow kway. The stall, positioned at Blk 216 Bedok Meals Centre & Market, attracts fixed queues no matter its early opening hours.
The stall affords each Black and White Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4/S$5) in addition to a Yuan Yang (S$4.50/S$5) choice. These all are available beneficiant parts that’ll adequately satiate your starvation pangs.
Based on on-line opinions, the White Carrot Cake appears to reign supreme amongst its patrons. The radish cake cubes have a springy edge to them however lean in direction of the softer facet. It’s topped with contemporary spring onions that lower by means of the grease, lending the extreme flavours a refreshing perfume.
Blk 216 Bedok North Avenue 1, Blk 216 Bedok Meals Centre & Market, #01-71, Singapore 460216 Tue to Solar: 5am – 1.30pm Closed on Mon
Tucked away in Higher Boon Keng Market & Meals Centre is Geylang Conventional Carrot Cake. It takes up the nook stall beside the central walkway, identifiable by a protracted queue when you go to earlier than 9.30am. It’s higher when you drop by early too, as they’re stated to virtually all the time promote out earlier than closing time.
Geylang Conventional Carrot Cake makes each Black and White Carrot Cake, priced at S$3, S$3.50 and S$4 for Small, Medium and Giant parts respectively. The servings are sizable and include beneficiant proportions of components.
The Black Carrot Cake stands because the tastier model, with a pleasant distinction between the candy darkish sauce and the shiok chilli, mixed with contemporary shallots and well-cooked chye poh. It bears a light-weight crisp from wok-caramelised bits, working in tandem with comfortable radish cake chunks to result in an fulfilling mixture of textures.
Whereas the White Carrot Cake lies on the delicate facet, it stands as a favorite for a lot of with its good outer crisp and plentiful components.
17 Higher Boon Keng Street, Higher Boon Keng Market & Meals Centre, #01-21, Singapore 380017 Mon to Sat: 6.30am – 12pm Closed on Solar
Rounding off this listing is 鐀记 Gui Ji Fried Carrot Cake, positioned in West Coast Market Sq. Meals Centre. It was beforehand generally known as Quickly Lee Heng Carrot Cake, from when it was a 3-in-1 stall that bought chai tow kway, grilled satay and hen wings a number of years again. It sells solely the previous now, although.
Don’t hesitate to get the aromatic Black Carrot Cake (S$3/S$4) at Gui Ji. It’s stated to return in beneficiant parts, providing you with bang on your buck. Look forward to finding chunky bits of egg that complement the radish cake cubes extremely nicely.
In the event you’re extra of a White Carrot Cake fan, you will get that too at S$3 for the Small measurement and S$4 for the Huge, or go for the Small/Huge Black + White (S$4/S$5) for the perfect of each worlds.
Don’t neglect to request for chilli in yours; their house-made hae bee hiam-laden sambal brings this dish to the subsequent degree.
726 Clementi West Avenue 2, West Coast Meals Centre, #01-180, Singapore 120726 Tue to Solar: 6.30am – 12.30pm Closed on Mon
