Oh, I didn’t know Song Zhou Fried Carrot Cake 松州萝卜糕 had opened at Albert Centre Food Centre.
That’s also when I realised the once-popular Guan Kee Fried Carrot Cake had closed. sad
Song Zhou Fried Carrot Cake has become a familiar name to many in the east of Singapore.
I have been to Song Zhou at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre a couple of times, when I had cravings for Black Carrot Cake.
Its history stretches back three generations.
The current owners, siblings Elinor and Terence Tan, grew up watching their parents man the wok. (Their grandparents used to sell Chwee Kueh in the 70s.)
Many years ago (schooling days), I first heard about it from a friend who swore the black version was life-changing.
Somehow, the Black Carrot Cake is more popular, and for good reason.
Accordingly, they have a secret which makes their carrot cake cubes softer and therefore delicious.
The pieces are fried with fresh chai poh and garlic, and later with egg batter, fish sauce and black sweet sauce.
The radish cubes have a nice char and are coated in more dark soy sauce than usual. It tastes slightly sweet, rich but not cloying.
The sweetness balances well with the savoury punch of the preserved radish.
It also has slight wok hei, that smoky depth you only get from a well-seasoned wok and high heat. Though to be fair, that depends on the batch.
The egg is worked through the dish, though it could have been more generous. My last plate at Albert was a bit on the oily side, but still decent.
Prices are fair, with portions starting around $3.50. You can add prawns or an egg for more.
Quality can be a bit hit or miss, but generally the black version still hits a good balance of sweet and savoury.
Maybe next time, I will go for the white.
Song Zhou Fried Carrot Cake
Albert Centre Food Centre #01-59, 270 Queen Street, Singapore 180270
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5:30pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre #01-37, 208B New Upper Changi Rd, Singapore 462208
Opening Hours: 6:30am – 8pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
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