As suggested by its name, red tortoise cakes are traditionally red in color and has a sticky, chewy texture when eaten. [5], In Chinese culture, birthdays are of greater significance after one reaches the age of 60. Red tortoise cake (Chinese: 紅龜粿; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Âng-ku-kóe) is a small round or oval-shaped Chinese pastry with soft, sticky glutinous rice flour skin wrapped around a sweet filling in the centre. [4][6] In modern times, red tortoise cakes continue to be important food items during Chinese festivals in many countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, China and Taiwan and southern Thailand provinces such as Phuket, Phang-Nga and Trang. In Hokkien tradition, the design on top of the "ang ku kueh" will signify the sex of the child. Considered to be auspicious items, these sweet pastries are especially prepared during important festivals such as Chinese New Year as offerings to the Chinese deities. My colleagues like it and said they will do likewise for their baby full month." Nowadays, to simplify things, a ‘pointed’ "ang ku kueh" signifies a boy while a ‘flat’ one a girl. Started making ang ku kueh at Ah Hood Road in 1980 from a recipe handed down from his wife's family, THE TEO FAMILY Believes in making them by hand only for the best taste and texture Well known for the mung bean flavour which is of the right sweetness Well known in the industry and among his loyal customers for more than 30 years It is molded to resemble a tortoise shell and is presented resting on a square piece of banana leaf. It has its origin from Fujian, China and “Ang Ku Kueh” literally means “Red Tortoise Cake” in Hokkien. "Both my sister and I ordered from Singapore Mochi for our babies' first month celebrations. It is a fairly broad term which may include items that would be called cakes, cookies, dumplings, pudding, biscuits, or pastries in English and are usually made from rice or glutinous rice. Selling sweet and chewy kueh, multi-layered lapis cakes, and their signature sticky … Eating red tortoise cakes during these times is meant to represent blessings for the child and longevity for the elderly. A good red tortoise cake is one where the skin does not stick to the teeth and exudes a sweet fragrance coupled with a soft chewy texture. These jelly red tortoise cakes are served chilled and presented on green plastic strips instead of traditional banana leaves. [13], Traditionally prepared during significant occasions such as festivals or birthdays, red tortoise cakes have become popular among many people who favor them as a delicious snack. Join host Bong Qiu Qiu in the kitchen with father-daughter duo, Priscilla and Francis from The Ang Ku Kueh Hut as they discuss Chinese food customs as part of Wan Qing CultureFest 2020! The black variant is known as Kueh Ku Hitam. The symbolic act of handing out red tortoise cakes on this day signifies that one's daughter has reached maturity and is of a marriageable age. For example, if an elder is celebrating his 65th birthday, there will be 77 red tortoise cakes prepared to celebrate his or her birthday. "Steamed Glutinous Rice Cake with Sweet Filling", "年節飲食文化與紅龜粿 (Occasions for Red Tortoise Cakes)", "紅龜粿(Red Tortoise Cakes in Chinese Culture)", "Red Tortoise Cakes & its Importance for Birthdays", "Birthday Customs of the Newborn and Elderly", "Baby Traditions: Chinese Full Moon Celebrations", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_tortoise_cake&oldid=998051187, Articles containing traditional Chinese-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Mixing and kneading the ingredients for the skin to form a dough, Cooking the ingredients used for the filling such as mung bean and peanut, Mashing the cooked ingredients together with sugar and oil to form a sweet paste, Flattening the dough into smaller rounded shapes, Placing a portion of the sweetened paste on the dough as filling before rolling the dough into a ball, Pressing the ball into a mold to create the iconic "tortoise shell" design, Steaming it over boiling water for 10 minutes on a piece of banana leaf, Brushing the cooked red tortoise cakes with oil to give the cakes a glossy shine on the surface, This page was last edited on 3 January 2021, at 15:47. Ji Xiang's ang ku kueh holds up quite well - best eaten straight out of the steamer but it still tastes good a few hours after cooking. They have 12 flavours, including durian and coffee! The origins of Ang Ku Kueh traces back to centuries ago in Fujian, a province in Southern China. For iPhone users: The skin of the ang koo is made of glutinous rice flour which is coloured red with edible colouring. The business started in 1967 when his grandfather and grandmother learnt Nyonya kueh-making from a master and decided to sell them in their home kitchen. Red tortoise cakes are shaped like tortoise shells because the Chinesetraditionally believed that eating tortoi… These molds are used to enhance the aesthetic value of red tortoise cakes and there is no cultural significance attached to the differing designs on these molds. The cultural significance of preparing these red tortoise cakes is to count one's blessings for having lived thus far and it is hoped that the additional 12 red tortoise cakes would increase one's lifespan, bringing longevity and good fortune in the process.[4][5]. "Thank you very much for the excellent service and nice food. Ratu Lemper. [6] There are also red tortoise molds that create floral patterns instead of the tortoise shell pattern seen on traditional red tortoise cakes. We treat all our clients and staff like our own family members, because it is these friendship that has continuously inspired and motivated us to push harder and further. Find the … Pastry chefs continue to introduce innovative interpretations of this traditional pastry into the market every year, appealing to consumers who enjoy the novelty of tasting these red tortoise cakes in assorted flavors. These ritual offerings are made in the hope that the sweetness from these cakes will leave a sweet taste in the mouths of the deities and they will bless the people with a prosperous year ahead.[4][5]. Can't go wrong:) " [5], Qing Ming Festival is the time for the Chinese to visit the burial grounds of their ancestors to pay their respects. [12] These tortoise cakes are sometimes made larger than usual in the hope that the child will grow up big and healthy. The name Ang Ku Kueh is the Hokkien pronunciation for “Red Turtle Cake”, which symbolizes Prosperity, Longevity and Wealth. [1] The gelatin mixture along with fillings such as cream or custard are poured into plastic moulds and then refrigerated to enable the gelatin mixture to set and harden. The filling is … The key difference being that of the much chewier red pastry skin that is primarily made out of glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, sugar and food colouring. When a teenage girl reaches her sixteenth birthday, red tortoise cakes are prepared within the respective households and then handed out to close friends and neighbors. "I like your service and your food. Eventually, the feasting and distribution of Ang Ku Kuehs during occasions, like a baby’s first month (also known as full moon) celebration and birthday of an elder, became a norm as the family shares in the blessing of the baby’s or elder’s wish for sustained blessings and longevity. If you’d prefer to play on the safe side, they have the usual peanut and salted bean ones. Ang Ku Kueh (紅龜粿 in Chinese) is a Chinese traditional snack resembling a tortoise shell. Thanks." Version 2.7. For fans of ang ku kueh, listen up. The term kuih is widely used in Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, and kueh or kue is used in Indonesia, to refer to sweet or savoury desserts. Dyed in red and moulded into the shape of a tortoise, ang ku kueh can be found in the Minnan region – namely Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou in China – as well as directly across in Taiwan, which shares similar cultures and dialect. Because the number 6 is considered an auspicious number in Chinese culture, red tortoise cakes are placed on the altar table in multiples of six such as 12, 24 or 36 in the hope that he will bless the people with good fortune and prosperity. My guests finished up all of them and I didn't get to try it. Convenient and good service. As such, red tortoise cakes are of a high cultural significance and value amongst the Chinese people. - Mr Brian Tan, Sembawang - Mdm Felicia Chan, Tampines Apart from molding the red tortoise cakes into perfectly round or oval shapes, these molds are also used to imprint patterns onto the surfaces of the red tortoise cakes. Traditionally, ang koo is only eaten during special feast days. [14] The banana leaves enable the steam to penetrate the red tortoise cake that is resting on top and exudes a sweet fragrance when steamed. Apart from the usual red tortoise cakes that are prepared in the color red, there are separate red tortoise cakes that are prepared in the colors green or white. Ordered the platters for our wedding and baby shower (including a platter of ang Ku kueh), and they sold out real fast. Zhijun comes from a family that does business selling Teochew kueh. Let’s talk about Ang Gu Kueh aka “Red Tortoise Cake”, the oval-shaped glutinous rice flour cake with a sweet filling in the centre. Nice food and excellent service. - Mdm Wendy Lim, Punggol The color red is representative of the virtuous life led by the ancestors whereas the colors green and white embody the descendants' grief and their hope that their ancestors are coping well in the afterlife. 82 talking about this. Even for their soon kueh ($1 to $1.30), the stall has three versions of this timeless savoury snack. [15] Will recommend to my friends". It is traditionally prepared for joyous occasions such as a newborn child’s first month birthday or elderly’s birthday. During this festival, the Chinese people would pray for good fortune and sweets such as rice cakes and red tortoise cakes are offered to the Chinese deities on ritual altars. Ang Ku Kueh Girl lives on the Little Red Dot island with friends & family. In 2006, D’Confectionery of Asian Kueh Expertise was acquired by Mr CH Lim, our current Managing Director. A turtle and two marbles is the sign for a boy while a girl is represented by two peaches. The fillings are then placed within the dough and the tortoise shell design imprinted on the skin's surface using molds before the red tortoise cakes are steamed over a piece of banana leaf. In Singapore, apart from the usual fillings of peanut or mung bean paste, there are now red tortoise cakes filled with flavors such as durian and coconut amongst many others. The Ang Ku Kueh Hut If you couldn’t already tell, The Ang Ku Kueh Hut specialises in Ang Ku Kueh, the oval-shaped pastry that resembles a tortoise shell. Instead of a skin that is made from glutinous rice flour, jelly red tortoise cakes have skins that are made of sweetened gelatin. While ang ku kueh has its roots in China, most Singaporean stalls, including Ji Xiang, have adopted the Nonya style of making this delicacy. During the interview, he shared with us the history of Lek Lim. Happening LIVE on 15 Nov 2020, Sunday, at 1pm on our page. While most kueh makers use the “tortoise” mold exclusively for Ang Ku Kueh, we up the fun level by using cute and less common mold designs like teddy bear, koi fish and flower, etc. At Kueh Ho Jiak, we make our kueh as visually appealing as it is delightful to the taste. They are especially popular among children who view these cakes as a delicious treat and enjoy the jelly red tortoise cakes for its refreshing sweetness. Thanks!" The stall, which rocks a colourful signboard, sells more than 10 types of local snacks, such as pumpkin yam cakes, glutinous rice and soon kueh. Poh Cheu Kitchen Sells $1 Handmade Ang Ku Kueh In 12 Flavours, Including Orh Nee And Black Sesame Poh Cheu Soon Kueh And Ang Ku Kueh makes traditional ang ku kueh with a modern twist. As the business grew progressively and constant effort as well as positive attitude in improving and expanding the product quality and line, more flavours were … However, there is some difference in the red tortoise cakes that are prepared for this occasion. Red tortoise cakes are shaped like tortoise shells because the Chinese traditionally believed that eating tortoises would bring longevity to those who are eating it and bring about good fortune and prosperity. Today, Ang Ku Kueh is a common snack found in Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. We have even created new flavours to add to our selection, such as our sweet potato skin ang ku kueh to durian ang ku kueh, etc. [1][2], The skin of the red tortoise cake is made from glutinous rice flour dough, mashed sweet potato, water, food coloring, sugar, oil and wheat starch. [4][5] Traditionally, fillings for red tortoise cakes are made with the following ingredients: mung bean paste or grounded peanuts, sugar and oil. Would highly recommend Singapore Mochi to my friends!" Angku is a small dark orange oval nyonya delicacy which is made with glutinous rice flour wrapped with green bean filling.Angku has a high ritual value and it is commonly used for Chinese prayers and … Edible red dye was used to coat these cakes as a symbol of good luck and auspiciousness. Though many Chinese families these days continue to prepare red tortoise cakes within the household for special occasions, red tortoise cakes are available for sale all year in many bakeries and Chinese pastry shops. Red tortoise cakes are prepared especially for such occasions when celebrating the birthdays of the elders in the family. 12 forms, to be exact. The Jade Emperor is one of the most important gods in Chinese folklore. Version History. Located in Tanjong Pagar Food Centre, Kueh Ho Jiak is easy to spot. In line with a more corporate outlook, Mr CH Lim renamed the company to D’CAKE, the abbreviation of D ’ C onfectionery of A sian K ueh E xpertise. Prayers are conducted to honor the ancestors and food items such as red tortoise cakes are prepared as offerings. They are typically associated with auspicious occasions and are especially prepared during birthdays and religious festivals to symbolize blessings and good fortune. In Chinese culture, red tortoise cakes are considered must-haves amongst the food items that are to be offered to the Jade Emperor on altar tables. To get the new sticker packs, simply update your app on Google Play! However, this practice is seldom carried out these days due to a change in cultural thoughts and beliefs amongst modern Chinese. While ang ku kueh has its roots in China, most Singaporean stalls, including Ji Xiang, have adopted the Nonya style of making this delicacy. - Mr Tan KH, Bukit Timah "My guests are all praises for your kuehs ..... Made me so happy on my baby's first month celebration. - Mrs Mary Tan, Hougang Download Ang Ku Kueh Girl and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. However, as turtles were not easy to come by and eventually there was shortage of supply, people then turned to making rice cakes with turtle imprints to substitute the live turtles for such rituals. They have just six types of fillings - crushed peanut, sweet bean (mung bean) paste, salted mung bean paste, sweet corn, grated coconut, and yam paste. Alternatively, simply search for 'Ang Ku Kueh Girl Stickers' on Google Play. ‎So many stickers to choose from, it is definitely our favourite stickers to use in our chats! Usually carved out of wood or molded from plastics, there are many different types of red tortoise cake molds available on the market. - Ms Jane Goh, Sengkang Feb 3, 2021. Ang ku kueh literally means "red tortoise dumpling". About Us. We aim to introduce modern elements and twist to the business to appeal to the young and continuing to tantalize your taste buds with our handcrafted heritage! It is molded to resemble a tortoise shell and is presented resting on a square piece of banana leaf. Because preparing red tortoise cakes is a time-consuming process, store-bought versions are also popular in China and across South-East Asia. Ang ku kueh, also known as red tortoise cake, originated from southern Fujian. Delivery & Pickup Options - 7 reviews of Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh "This establishment has been in business since 1989 dishing out one of singapore's most yummiest traditional handmade Ang Ku Kueh. There are two main components in red tortoise cakes, the skin and the filling. From green tea and durian to coffee and mango, their kitchen churns out the ang ku kueh of your dreams. He is believed to be the ruler of heaven and his birthday falls on the ninth day of the first lunar month. Ang Ku Kueh (红龟粿) is a small traditional Chinese pastry having a soft sticky glutinous rice flour skin with sweet fillings. Yvonne Cheong via Facebook Wonderful Kueh and Nasi Lemak with Egg for our Silver Infocomm Junction courses at Kreta Ayer Residents’ Committee. [5], Qi Xi Festival falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month on the Chinese calendar. Besides the 12 different ang ku kueh varieties, Poh Cheu also churns out other old school kuehs, such as soon kueh, png kueh ($1.30), yam cake and even the traditional Hakka dish, abacus seeds ($2.30 onwards)! Ang Ku Kueh has a sticky texture to it because of the glutinous rice flour that it is made out of. The reason for these differences in color between red tortoise cakes is that these colors are of cultural significance to the Chinese people. After kneading and molding the ingredients together, the red tortoise cakes are steamed on a piece of banana leaf. In ancient days, the Chinese would offer live turtles as moon cakes for rituals. [1][9][10] Have recommended you to my friends." Shaped like a tortoise shell and rested on banana leaf, it has a Chinese word imprinted on top which usually means “longevity”, “blessings” or “prosperity”.