The distinctive slightly pungent taste of radish blended with the rich flavor of shrimp and pork filling brings a unique and delicious sensation to radish cakes.

Radish cakes may still sound unfamiliar to many people in Saigon, but for those from Bạc Liêu — the land famous for the story of the wealthy young man who “burned money to boil eggs” — this is a humble, simple, and familiar dish. Originating from the Chinese community, with a simple wrapper and a shrimp-and-pork filling inside, radish cakes are a local specialty that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who tries them, thanks to the radish’s distinctive pungent flavor.

If you ever visit Bạc Liêu, you will find radish cakes sold widely in local markets. The wrapper is made from wheat flour and radish flour, while the filling consists of shrimp and pork. The wrapper is steamed thin like fresh rice sheets, the filling is placed on top and rolled up like steamed rolls, neatly arranged on a plate, sprinkled with scallion oil, and served with fish mint, basil, lettuce, and a bowl of sweet-and-sour dipping sauce.

However, Bạc Liêu specialty eateries in Saigon prepare and enjoy radish cakes in a completely different way while still preserving the dish’s distinctive flavor. The wrapper is still made from wheat flour mixed with radish flour in a certain ratio, but instead of steaming the batter, the vendor pours boiling water into the flour mixture on a tray, mixes well, and kneads it by hand until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and pliable.

The filling is also made from shrimp and pork, with the addition of finely julienned radish and carrot. The shrimp are peeled and lightly crushed, mixed well with minced lean pork, stir-fried, and seasoned to taste. The dough is divided into small portions, rolled thin, filled with the shrimp mixture along with some radish and carrot strands, sealed into a half-moon shape, and then steamed until cooked.

Once steamed, the cakes turn white, with thin wrappers revealing the red filling inside and releasing the fragrant aroma of radish. When eating, the cakes are dipped in a flavorful sauce with a mildly sweet taste, made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and garlic chili. Instead of the traditional version, these steamed radish cakes offer a refreshing and deliciously different experience.

According to Ngoisao