Crispy Pan-Fried Radish Cake (Lo Bak Go)

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If you’ve ever been to a dim sum restaurant, you’ve probably seen this golden, crispy square sitting quietly on the table — until you take one bite 😍
Radish cake, also known as Lo Bak Go, is a classic Chinese dish made with grated daikon radish, rice flour, and savory fillings, then pan-fried until perfectly crispy.

This homemade version is better than restaurant style: crisp on the outside, soft and melt-in-your-mouth inside.

📝 What Is Radish Cake?

Radish cake is not a dessert — it’s a savory dish traditionally eaten for breakfast, dim sum, or during Chinese New Year.
The flavor comes from daikon radish, dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, and a light soy-based sauce.

🛒 Ingredients

Radish Cake Batter

  • 1.2 kg daikon radish (Chinese white radish), peeled & grated
  • 200 g rice flour
  • 40 g wheat starch or cornstarch
  • 400 ml water (adjust if needed)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp white pepper

Savory Filling

  • 2 Chinese sausages (lap cheong), finely diced
  • 20 g dried shrimp, soaked & chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp oil

Seasoning

  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp oyster sauce
  • ½ tsp sugar

👩‍🍳 How to Make Radish Cake

Step 1: Cook the Radish

  1. Grate the daikon radish.
  2. Place it in a pan and cook on medium heat for 10–15 minutes until soft.
  3. Do not discard the liquid — it adds flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

  1. Heat oil in a pan.
  2. Fry garlic until fragrant.
  3. Add Chinese sausage and dried shrimp.
  4. Stir-fry until aromatic and slightly crispy.
  5. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Mix well.

Step 3: Make the Batter

  1. In a large bowl, mix rice flour + wheat starch.
  2. Slowly add water and radish liquid.
  3. Add cooked radish, filling, salt, and white pepper.
  4. Mix until you get a thick but pourable batter.

Step 4: Steam the Cake

  1. Oil a heatproof tray or pan.
  2. Pour in the batter and smooth the top.
  3. Steam on high heat for 45–60 minutes.
  4. Let it cool completely (VERY important).

💡 Cooling makes slicing easier and prevents breaking.

Step 5: Pan-Fry (The Best Part 🔥)

  1. Cut the cake into squares.
  2. Heat oil in a non-stick or cast-iron pan.
  3. Fry on medium heat until golden and crispy on both sides.
  4. Remove and drain slightly.

🍶 Serving Sauce (Optional but Recommended)

  • Light soy sauce
  • Chili oil
  • Sweet soy sauce
  • Garlic chili paste

🌟 Tips for Perfect Radish Cake

  • More radish = softer cake
  • More rice flour = firmer cake
  • Let it rest overnight in the fridge for restaurant-level texture
  • Use cast iron for extra crispy edges 👌

🥢 How to Serve

  • Serve hot with dipping sauce
  • Great for breakfast, dim sum, or snacks
  • Can be frozen before frying

📌 Storage

  • Fridge: up to 4 days
  • Freezer: up to 1 month
  • Pan-fry straight from frozen (low heat)

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