If you're living on the east side of Singapore, you would probably know Tampines Round Market & Food Centre. This place is a popular spot for breakfast meals and most of the stalls close around 3 pm.
One of the more notable dishes at Tampines Round Market was fried carrot cake, also known as chai tow kway in Teochew. There are a total of 3 fried carrot cakes there.
1st was Song Han Carrot Cake, which is known for adding curry powder to their chai tow kway.
2nd will be Xiong Kee Famous Carrot Cake, the father and son duo that operates there for around 10 years.
3rd would be Xin Xing Carrot Cake, which I would be reviewing in this post.
They have been frying carrot cakes since 1993 and their previous location is Tampines St 21. So I am guessing they have a number of loyal fans for their carrot cake.
The White Carrot Cake
Are you on team white for carrot cake? Xin Xing only sells and specialises in white carrot cake.
This plate cost 3SGD and the portion is good for breakfast. I am a huge fan of white carrot cakes and I like their old-school chunky style, not the pancake version.
Carrot cakes are fried till soft, fluffy, with a nice biting texture and not greasy. The moment I take the first bite my palate is flooded with eggy flavour. It's like they both teamed up well to create this harmonious blend. Xin Xing does not cut corners on the use of eggs.
Along with the decent amount of cai po (preserved radish) and garlic, it makes the carrot cake add another layer of savoury taste.
Thoughts
I would say this is an above-average fried carrot cake. Xin Xing does well on a white version of fried carrot cake flavours should have, eggy and savoury. But they are lacking wok hei (breath of the wok) taste, which can elevate this dish more.
Surprisingly Xin Xing Carrot Cake has no queues at all. Are their competitors in the same place really better than them? I would find out in future but Xin Xing Carrot Cake deserves some recognition and love for it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 forks
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