Chwee kueh facts for kids
Chwee kueh (zwee gway) served in Singapore, with hot preserved radish relish
|
|
| Place of origin | China (Guangdong) and Singapore |
|---|---|
| Region or state | East and Southeast Asia |
| Associated national cuisine | Singapore |
| Created by | Teochews |
| Main ingredients |
|
| Similar dishes | Banh beo |
Chwee kueh (Chinese: 水粿; pinyin: shuǐguǒ; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: chúi-kóe; literally "water rice cake") is a special type of rice cake. It is made by steaming rice flour and is usually served with preserved radish. This tasty dish comes from Teochew cuisine. You might also see it spelled chwee kwee or chwee kweh.
What is Chwee Kueh?
Chwee kueh is a popular breakfast or snack food. It is known for its unique bowl-like shape. This shape comes from the small cups it is steamed in. The rice cakes themselves are quite plain. But they get their flavor from a topping of diced preserved radish. This radish topping is often spicy.
History of Chwee Kueh
Chwee kueh has a long history. It began with the Teochew people in China. In the 1800s, many Teochew people moved to Singapore. They brought their cooking skills and recipes with them. This included how to make chwee kueh.
Over time, chwee kueh became very popular in Singapore. Today, it is a common breakfast item. You can find it in many of Singapore's famous hawker centres. These are large food courts with many different food stalls. Chwee kueh is now strongly linked to Singaporean food.
How is Chwee Kueh Made?
Making chwee kueh is a simple process. First, rice flour and water are mixed together. This creates a slightly thick liquid mixture.
Next, this mixture is poured into small, saucer-shaped aluminum cups. These cups are then placed into a steamer. The mixture is steamed until it cooks and forms a soft, bowl-shaped cake.
Once cooked, the rice cakes are removed from their molds. They are usually served warm. The plain rice cakes are then topped with a special relish. This relish is made from diced preserved radish. Often, a bit of chili sauce is added for a spicy kick.
