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Wednesday 2 November 2016

Just One Food - Teochew Kuih

Recently, while walking through our weekly Friday "pasar malam" (night market) looking to chow down on some goodies, I came upon a stall selling Teochew Kuih (or otherwise known as chai kuih) which wasn't here previously.

We'd usually see this type of kuih sold by stalls that sell all types of local kuih although this particular one is harder to come by these days.  Probably because it's labour intensive and time consuming to make, you don't find many stalls selling it nowadays.

The ones I usually see are oblong in shape where the dough is pinched to make leaf-like patterns or shaped like a "sui kow" (soup dumpling) but this one I came across at our Pandan Indah pasar malam was shaped like a "har kow" (prawn dumpling) dim sum.  I've not seen such pretty looking ones I must say.

A tray of freshly made chai kuih (that have not been steamed yet).

The skin, made from rice flour, is quite oily as the chai kuih is drizzled with oil before they're steamed.  This is to prevent the skin from sticking to the bottom of the tray + it also helps to keep the skin moist and smooth. The fillings of the chai kuih are typically yam bean (sengkuang or jicama) and chives, the two most common types, though you can also find fillings of yam and sweet potato.

I bought a box of six @ RM1 each, three with chives and three with yam bean, and they were packed with fried shallots + a packet of chilli sauce to go.  The fried shallots further lent a gorgeous aroma and taste to the chai kuih.

The skins I've encountered are usually thick and have a chewy texture, some even tend to be mushy, but these ones had a much thinner, smoother and translucent skin than those I've had before.

This is the one with a filling of chives and dried prawns...just look at the amount of chives in one kuih.  Only for those who actually love the taste of chives, otherwise the sheer abundance of it may make it taste slightly bitter to non-lovers of chives.

Again, this one with yam bean and dried prawns was filled to bursting point.  I preferred this one over the chives as the yam bean provided a much more fragrant, savoury and slightly sweet taste overall.

It's best eaten while it's still hot (and without any chilli sauce, my preference), otherwise the skin may harden up a bit when it turns cold.

It makes for a satisfying light snack (or, in my case, as additional snack to my main meal).

I absolutely adore these Teochew Kuih...and these ones were excellent (the best I've had so far because of the superb texture of the thin and smooth skins).  If you want to find this stall, it's sold by the same person who fries (or used to fry) the radish cake (you can find him beside his radish cake stall or just opposite it).  You bet I'll be visiting my neighbourhood pasar malam for more of these.....woot woot! ^o^

17 comments:

  1. Yummy! I am a Teochew and love to eat this kuehs. I agree the ones you shared looks nicely wrapped and appetizing. The common ones looked like half-moon shape with too thick skin. I think I saw similar stall selling on Sunday's pasar malam at Taman Megah too.

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    1. If you've seen it selling in Taman Megah's pasar malam (which I assume is near you), then you must go try it. Hey, I'm not a Teochew...but I still love this kuih...hehe! ;D

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    2. Ya the chai kuih at Taman Megah's sunday pasar malam is really nice. They also use to sell it at SS2 Thursday pasar malam but the store suddenly disappeared. I have been trying to find them back all these year.

      Do you so happen to know where they moved too? (Just trying my luck)

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    3. Sorry, I wouldn't know where the stall has moved to since I'm not from that area. The one that was selling in my neighbourhood pasar malam (where I live) has also disappeared. The best way of finding out where they've moved to is usually by asking the stalls next to them. I did that once when a favourite noodle stall of mine moved and I managed to find out where when I asked the stalls next to it. Best of luck in finding your Teochew kuih stall again.

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    4. Ah it's okay, thanks for taking the time to reply :)
      Stay safe and take care.

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  2. Blerhh... not my most favorite snack, this one. I am not exactly close friends with sengkuang and chives... Har gow is a different story, that I like... :/

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    1. Since you're not buddies with sengkuang or chives, then it would seem you won't like popiah or wor tip either...kekeke! >_<

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  3. These round shaped chai kueh look very cute. When I was small, this was my most hated kueh hee..hee.. But now I like it dipped in chili sauce. Both types of the chai kueh would suit me- with or without chives which I happen to like.

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    1. Then again, who likes chives when they were kids....haha! ;D

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  4. Great stuff! Loaded with ingredients and not too thick a skin. My preference is a thin skin and loaded.

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    1. My preference exactly...then I'm sure you'll like this kuih :)

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  5. oooo, a great recommendation. they look really pretty in their presentation - and what makes them extra-irresistible is your description of their thin skin and plump stuffings :D

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    1. Yay to thin skin and plump stuffings...but, most of all, they're the prettiest looking ones I've seen! ^_*

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  6. These look delicious and what a bargain too!

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    1. RM1 may look like a bargain but this one was actually on the pricier side...coz other places you can get them at 80 cents a piece =)

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  7. I just had these Teo Chew kuih recently, bought from a kuih stall at Kepong Baru. The chives filling is as much as yours, even more! Very satisfying for a chives & dried shrimp lover like me :)

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    Replies
    1. As much as I love a plump filling and lots of chives, I felt that too much of it brings about a slight bitter flavour once you eat one to many.

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