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Daikon Cake

A comforting and savory cake made from grated daikon radish, featuring a blend of Chinese sausage, dried scallops, and other flavorful ingredients, perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

For the Cake
  • 750 g daikon, unpeeled weight Choose firm daikon for the best texture.
  • 130 g rice flour Essential for the cake-like consistency.
  • 1 Tbsp tapioca starch Provides the bounce you'll love!
  • 1 tsp sugar Balances flavors beautifully.
  • 1/4 tsp table salt Enhances the overall taste.
  • 1/2 tsp ground white pepper Gives a hint of spice.
  • 2 Tbsp oil Use good quality vegetable or canola oil.
For Flavoring
  • 40 g Chinese sausage, diced Look for brand options like 'Pork Sung' for a traditional touch.
  • 2 Tbsp dried shrimp Always choose high-quality, small to medium-sized shrimp for the best flavor.
  • 12-15 g dried shiitake mushrooms Opt for fragrant, earthy varieties.
  • 20-25 g dried scallops (optional) Adding these gives a rich oceanic flavor.
  • 1 cup hot water For soaking the dried ingredients.
For Serving
  • Soy sauce for serving A flavorful dipping sauce.
  • Hot sauce for serving (Thai-style Sriracha recommended) For that extra kick!

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse scallops, dried shrimp, and dried mushrooms under cold water quickly. Soak them in 1 cup of hot water until fully hydrated: 3 hours for scallops, and about 1 hour for mushrooms and shrimp. Drain, reserving the soaking water for later.
  2. Peel the daikon and shred it into juliennes or grate it finely.
Cooking
  1. In a wok, over medium-low heat, cook the diced Chinese sausage until browned and fragrant for about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add in your chopped mushrooms, scallops, and shrimp, sautéing for another 3 minutes.
  3. Toss in the shredded daikon, stirring until it wilts. Add reserved soaking water, cover, and cook for 7-10 minutes until the daikon softens.
  4. Return the daikon to the wok and measure the cooking liquid to ensure it’s 1 cup.
  5. Blend the mushroom mixture into the daikon, adding the sugar, salt, pepper, and oil. Mix until combined.
  6. Warm your reserved daikon liquid and whisk in the rice flour and tapioca starch until smooth. Combine this with the daikon.
  7. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until it thickens to a paste-like consistency (about 5-7 minutes).
  8. Grease a cake pan with oil and pour in the daikon mixture, smoothing the surface.
  9. Place the pan in a steamer and steam for 1 hour over boiling water.
  10. Check for doneness with a thermometer (minimum 200°F) or skewer. Let it cool completely before cutting.
Serving
  1. Slice into 1-inch pieces. Pan-fry them until heated through and golden-brown on both sides. Serve with soy sauce and hot sauce.

Notes

Invest in high-quality ingredients, and once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.