Water chestnut cake facts for kids
 |
|
| Course | dim sum |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Guangdong, China |
| Region or state | Cantonese-speaking areas |
| Main ingredients | shredded Chinese water chestnut |
| Water chestnut cake | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 馬蹄糕 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 马蹄糕 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Jyutping | maa5 tai4 gou1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | mǎtí gāo | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | horsehoof cake | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Water chestnut cake (traditional Chinese: 馬蹄糕; simplified Chinese: 马蹄糕; Cantonese Yale: máhtài gōu) is a yummy sweet treat. It's a type of dim sum from Cantonese cooking. This cake is made from shredded Chinese water chestnuts.
When you order it at a dim sum restaurant, the cake is usually cut into square pieces. These pieces are then pan-fried until they are golden. The cake is soft inside but keeps its shape well after cooking.
Sometimes, you can even see small pieces of water chestnut in each slice. One cool thing about this cake is its clear, see-through look.
Contents
What is Water Chestnut Cake?
Water chestnut cake is a popular dessert or snack. It's often served as part of a dim sum meal. Dim sum is a meal with many small dishes, like a brunch.
The main ingredient is the Chinese water chestnut. This is a plant that grows in wet, muddy areas. Its root, or corm, is crunchy and slightly sweet.
How is it Made?
To make the cake, water chestnuts are shredded or chopped. They are then mixed with sugar and a special flour. This mixture is steamed until it becomes a firm, jelly-like cake.
After steaming, the cake is cooled. Before serving, it's often sliced into squares. These squares are then pan-fried. Frying gives the cake a slightly crispy outside.
Where Can You Find Water Chestnut Cake?
Water chestnut cake is a common dish in Hong Kong. You can find it in most dim sum restaurants there. It's also popular in other places where Cantonese food is eaten.
Many Chinatown restaurants around the world also serve this cake. So, if you're looking for a taste of traditional Cantonese dessert, you might find it nearby!
See also
In Spanish: Pastel de castaña de agua para niños
