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To make Chinese carrot cake, you’ll need a few simple ingredients and a steamer.
It’s a savory dim sum favorite, often called law bak go, and it’s easier to make at home than you might think.
If you’ve been wondering how to make Chinese carrot cake, the good news is it’s a straightforward process of mixing, steaming, and pan-frying.
The trick is getting the batter right, so it firms up into that perfect tender, bouncy texture.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make Chinese carrot cake step by step, from the ingredients you need to the final pan-fry for that golden crust.
Let’s get cooking.
How To Make Chinese Carrot Cake: The Ingredients You’ll Need
Learning how to make Chinese carrot cake starts with understanding its simple ingredient list.
Unlike the sweet, frosted carrot cake you might know, this savory version uses rice flour, not wheat flour, for its signature texture.
1. The Base: Rice Flour and Water
The foundation of a good Chinese carrot cake is the batter, which is made from a mix of rice flour and water.
This is what gives it that smooth, slightly chewy, and firm structure that holds up so well in the pan.
Some recipes use a combination of regular rice flour and glutinous rice flour to get the texture just right.
2. The Star: Daikon Radish (And Carrots!)
Interestingly, the “carrot” in Chinese carrot cake is actually daikon radish in most traditional recipes.
It’s a long, white root vegetable that becomes sweet and tender when cooked.
You’ll want to grate it finely.
Many modern versions, including this one, also add some actual shredded carrot for sweetness and color.
3. The Flavor Builders
To make the cake super savory, you’ll need chopped dried shrimp, Chinese sausage (lap cheong), and dried mushrooms.
These ingredients are key to the authentic flavor profile.
You’ll also use a little Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil to season everything to perfection.
Don’t forget scallions and a pinch of white pepper to finish it off.
Step-By-Step Guide To Making Chinese Carrot Cake
Once your ingredients are prepped, the process of how to make Chinese carrot cake is a breeze.
Follow these steps.
1. Prep and Sauté Your Aromatics
Soak the dried shrimp and mushrooms in warm water until they’re soft.
Then, chop them up along with your Chinese sausage and scallions.
Heat a wok or large pan over medium heat with a little oil.
Stir-fry the sausage first to release its flavorful fat, then add the shrimp, mushrooms, and grated radish and carrot.
Cook everything until the vegetable is soft and any excess liquid has evaporated.
2. Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the rice flour and water until you have a smooth, runny batter.
Season the batter with a little salt and sugar.
Once your vegetable mixture is cooked, scrape it directly into the batter bowl and mix well.
The mixture should be thick and chunky.
3. Steam to Set
Pour the batter into a greased, deep dish or cake pan that fits inside your steamer.
Smooth the top with a spatula.
Steam over high heat for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the cake is firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let it cool completely before moving on to the final step.
4. Pan-Fry for a Golden Crust
Once cooled, turn the cake out onto a cutting board and slice it into thick, rectangular slabs.
Heat a little oil in a non-stick pan.
Fry the slabs for a few minutes on each side until they’re golden brown and crispy.
This contrast of a crisp exterior and a soft, savory interior is the best part!
Tips For The Perfect Chinese Carrot Cake
Want to make sure your cake turns out amazing every time?
Here are a few tips for how to make Chinese carrot cake that’s restaurant quality.
1. Don’t Skimp on the Frying
The initial pan-fry is non-negotiable for that perfect crust.
Don’t rush it—let those slices sizzle until they’re deeply golden and crisp.
2. Make Sure it’s Fully Cooled
Patience is key here. If you try to slice the cake while it’s still warm, it will fall apart.
Letting it cool completely allows the starches to set, making it easy to cut into clean slices.
3. Adjust the Texture
If your batter seems too dry, add a splash more water. If it’s too wet, add a tablespoon of rice flour.
You want a thick, spoonable consistency, not a liquid one.
So, How Do You Make Chinese Carrot Cake?
To make Chinese carrot cake, you create a savory batter with rice flour, grated daikon radish, and aromatics, then steam it until firm before pan-frying it into golden-brown slices.
It’s a fantastic dish that transforms simple ingredients into something truly special.
The combination of the tender, flavorful cake and its crispy exterior is what makes it so irresistible.
Now that you know how to make Chinese carrot cake, you can enjoy this classic dim sum treat in the comfort of your own home.
Give this recipe a try and bring a little bit of the teahouse to your kitchen.