Yam ring facts for kids
Yam ring filled with vegetables, mushrooms, chicken and prawns, served on a bed of cashews and dried bee hoon noodles
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| Alternative names | Yam basket, Taro basket or Prosperity basket |
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| Place of origin | Singapore |
| Region or state | East and Southeast Asia |
| Associated national cuisine | Singapore |
| Created by | Hooi Kok Wai |
Yam ring (Chinese: 芋头圈; pinyin: yùtou quān), also known as yam basket, taro basket or prosperity basket (Chinese: 佛钵; Mandarin Pinyin: fúbō; Jyutping: fat6but3), is a super popular dish from Singapore. Imagine a crispy, deep-fried ring made from mashed taro! Inside this ring, you'll find a delicious mix of stir-fried ingredients.
This dish was first made for vegetarians. But today, you'll often find it with tasty chicken or seafood inside. It's a must-try at many local restaurants called tze char places.
Contents
The Story Behind Yam Ring
The yam ring dish has an interesting history! Most people say it was created by a famous chef named Hooi Kok Wai. He was the founder of the Dragon Phoenix Restaurant in Singapore.
Who Was Chef Hooi Kok Wai?
Chef Hooi Kok Wai was one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Cantonese Cuisine" in the 1960s. These "Heavenly Kings" were top chefs who cooked amazing Cantonese-style dishes. They were special because they used local Singaporean ingredients in their cooking.
How the Dish Was Invented
The story goes that Chef Hooi invented the yam ring in 1958. He wanted to impress the vegetarian nuns who had helped raise his wife. The shape of the dish looks a lot like the special bowls (called alms bowls) that Buddhist monks use to collect food. This is why its Chinese name means "fragrant Buddha bowl."
Another restaurant, Lai Wah Restaurant, also claims they invented the dish. It was started by two other "Heavenly Kings."
What is Taro?
Taro is a root vegetable, a bit like a potato. It's grown in many parts of the world, especially in Asia. When cooked, taro can be mashed, just like potatoes, and it has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. It's the main ingredient that makes the yam ring's crispy outer layer!
How Yam Ring is Made
Making a yam ring is quite a process!
- First, taro is peeled, steamed until soft, and then mashed.
- The mashed taro is seasoned and shaped into a ring.
- This taro ring is then deep-fried until it's golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Separately, different ingredients like vegetables, mushrooms, chicken, or seafood are stir-fried with a tasty sauce.
- Finally, the stir-fried mix is carefully placed inside the crispy taro ring. It's often served with cashews or noodles on the side.
