Nian gao, or glutinous rice cake, is often eaten fried or steamed. Pastry chef Daniel Tay shows us four other ways to prepare and enjoy this CNY delicacy
Nian gao is a sweet rice cake made from glutinous rice flour. Dating back over 1,000 years, nian gao is most eaten during festive celebrations like the Chinese New Year and Duanwu Festival (also known as the Dragonboat Festival). This Chinese delicacy is commonly eaten steamed or fried. Pastry chef Daniel Tay shows us four other creative ways to prepare and enjoy it. As the Chinese name nian gao translates to “higher year” in English, enjoying it with your family symbolises a year of higher fortune, wealth and happiness.
1. Lotus Root Nian Gao
Featuring slices of nian gao and lotus root coated and fried in a golden batter, these crispy treats are the perfect celebration snack for CNY!
2. Banana Nian Gao French Toast
The breakfast fave gets a festive update with nian gao and banana slices sandwiched in between slices of golden toasts.
3. Nian Gao Purple Sweet Potato Balls
This sweet treat is similar to the Peranakan kueh ondeh ondeh. Sweet purple potato paste is wrapped around nian gao and steamed to create the chewy and fragrant bites – so pretty and so delectable!
4. Sesame Peanut Nian Gao
Like the local rice flour snack muah chee, this version uses nian gao instead to coat with crunchy, fragrant sesame peanut bits – kids will especially love them!
