Yam Cake (Or Kuih)
Chinese Steamed Yam Cake (Or Kuih) is one of my favorite savory treats! Made with tender yam pieces, dried shrimps, and rice flour, it boasts a wonderfully soft, chewy texture. A beloved classic in Malaysia and Singapore, this delicacy is perfect as a snack or light meal—especially during tea time or family gatherings.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 5 cloves shallots (peeled and finely chopped)
- 3/4 bowl/cup dried shrimps (soaked in warm water, drained and chopped corsely )
- 1½ bowls/cups yam/taro (diced into 1-2 cm cubes)
- 1 bowl/cup rice flour
- 2 tablespoons wheat starch
- 2 bowls/cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/2 bowl/cup dried shrimps, optional (chopped finely and fried with oil )
- fried shallot crisps (available in Asian stores)
- 1 red chili (seeded and sliced finely)
- 1 stalk spring onion (cut into rounds)
Instructions
- 1
Heat a pan over medium-high heat, add oil, and sauté the shallots until slightly softened. Add the dried shrimps and cook until aromatic, about 3–5 minutes. Add the cubed yam and stir-fry continuously until the surface begins to brown.
- 2
In a mixing bowl, combine the rice flour, wheat starch, water, salt, white pepper, and five-spice powder, stirring until smooth and free of lumps. Slowly add the mixture to the pan, stirring until it thickens into a paste.
- 3
Pour the mixture into a rectangle pan and steam over high heat for 45 minutes, or until fully cooked. To check the doneness of yam cake, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean and dry (not wet), the cake is fully cooked.
- 4
Remove the yam cake from the steamer, let cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish the top with dried shrimps (optional), fried shallot crisps, red chilies, and spring onions. Cut into pieces and serve with a side of chili sauce, and/or hoisin sauce.