If you ever bring home leftover turnip cake from dim sum, this is one of my favorite easy ways to turn it into another meal! Pan Fried Turnip Cake with Egg, or 蘿蔔糕煎蛋, is crispy, savory, and so simple to make.
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Instead of just reheating the turnip cake plain, you pan fry it until golden, then add beaten eggs so everything cooks together. The outside gets slightly crispy, the inside stays soft and savory, and the egg makes it feel more like a quick breakfast, lunch, or snack.
This is not a from-scratch turnip cake recipe - it's an easy way to cook prepared turnip cake with egg. I often make it with leftover dim sum turnip cake, but you definitely don't need leftovers to make it! Store-bought, homemade, or freshly purchased turnip cake from a Chinese bakery or market all work beautifully.
What Is Turnip Cake?
Turnip cake, also known as 蘿蔔糕, is a classic Cantonese dim sum dish made with grated daikon radish, rice flour, and savory ingredients. Even though it's commonly called "turnip cake" in English, it's usually made with daikon radish, not the small round turnips you may be picturing.
At dim sum restaurants, turnip cake is often sliced into squares or rectangles, then pan fried until lightly crispy on the outside. It's soft, savory, and comforting and one of those dishes that is simple but so good.
Why Cook Turnip Cake with Egg?
Leftover dim sum turnip cake is already delicious, but adding egg makes it even better.
The egg helps turn a few leftover pieces into a more complete meal. It adds protein, flavor, and that cozy breakfast-style feeling. Plus, when the egg cooks around the crispy edges of the turnip cake, it makes the whole dish extra satisfying.
This is perfect when you have just a few pieces of turnip cake left and don't want them to go to waste, but it's also worth making even if you're starting with store-bought or freshly purchased turnip cake.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients:
- Prepared turnip cake / 蘿蔔糕 - leftover dim sum, store-bought, homemade, or freshly purchased
- Eggs
- Oil
- Green onions, optional
- Salt, optional
- White pepper, optional
- Soy sauce, optional for serving
- Chili oil or chili crisp, optional for serving
The main thing is that the turnip cake should already be cooked and firm enough to slice. This recipe is for pan-frying prepared turnip cake with egg, not making 蘿蔔糕 from scratch.
How to Make Pan Fried Turnip Cake with Egg
First, cut the leftover turnip cake into smaller pieces if needed. If they are already in small dim sum-sized rectangles or squares, you can leave them as is.
In a bowl, beat the eggs. You can add chopped green onions and a pinch of salt and white pepper if you like.
Heat a little oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the turnip cake pieces and pan fry until golden and slightly crispy on one side. Flip and cook the other side until warmed through and lightly crisped.
Pour the beaten eggs over and around the turnip cake. Let the egg cook for a few seconds, then gently move it around the pan so it cooks evenly.
You can keep the pieces mostly whole, or break everything up slightly so the egg and turnip cake mix together more. Cook until the eggs are set.
Remove from heat and serve!
You can serve with soy sauce, chili oil, or chili crisp if desired. My favorite it Taiwanese soy paste (but that is not super available everywhere)
Tips and Variations
Use a nonstick pan. Turnip cake can be sticky, especially once the egg is added, so a nonstick skillet makes this much easier.
Don't move the turnip cake too early. Let it sit in the pan long enough to get golden and crisp before flipping.
Add green onions. Chopped green onions add freshness and go really well with both the egg and turnip cake.
Make it spicy. Serve with chili oil, chili crisp, or your favorite hot sauce. I absolutely love adding Taiwanese sweet chili sauce on it!
Use leftover dim sum turnip cake. This recipe is especially helpful if you brought home leftovers from a dim sum restaurant and want to make them taste freshly cooked again.
What to Serve with Turnip Cake and Egg
This dish is great on its own as a quick breakfast, snack, or light lunch.
You can also serve it with:
- Soy sauce (or Taiwanese soy paste)
- Chili oil (or sweet chili sauce)
- Chili crisp
- Hot tea
- Congee
- A simple vegetable side
- Other leftover dim sum dishes
It's also delicious as part of a casual weekend brunch.
Storage and Reheating
This dish is best enjoyed right after cooking while the turnip cake is hot and the edges are crispy.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
To reheat, pan fry again in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can also microwave it, but the texture will be softer and less crispy.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought turnip cake?
Yes! Store-bought turnip cake works great for this recipe. Just slice it into pieces and pan fry it before adding the egg.
Can I use leftover dim sum turnip cake?
Yes, that's actually the whole idea of this recipe. Leftover dim sum turnip cake reheats really well when pan fried, and adding egg makes it even better.
Is turnip cake made from turnips?
Despite the English name, Chinese turnip cake is usually made with daikon radish. In Chinese, it's called 蘿蔔糕.
Do I need to add soy sauce?
Not necessarily. Many turnip cakes are already seasoned, especially if they came from a dim sum restaurant. You can serve soy sauce on the side if you want extra flavor.
Pan Fried Turnip Cake with Egg Recipe
Pan Fried Turnip Cake with Egg is an easy way to cook prepared turnip cake with egg. Use leftover dim sum turnip cake, store-bought, homemade, or freshly purchased 蘿蔔糕, then pan fry until golden and cook with egg for a quick savory breakfast, lunch, or snack.
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 pieces prepared turnip cake / 蘿蔔糕, such as leftover dim sum, store-bought, homemade, or freshly purchased turnip cake
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 green onion, chopped, optional
- Pinch of white pepper, optional
- Soy sauce, for serving, optional
- Chili oil or chili crisp, for serving, optional
Instructions
- If needed, cut the turnip cake into smaller pieces.
- In a small bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in chopped green onions and white pepper if using.
- Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add the turnip cake pieces and pan fry for 2–3 minutes, or until golden on one side.
- Flip and cook the other side until lightly crispy and warmed through.
- Pour the beaten eggs over and around the turnip cake.
- Let the eggs cook for a few seconds, then gently move everything around the pan until the eggs are fully cooked.
- Serve hot with soy sauce, chili oil, or chili crisp if desired.
Notes
- You can use leftover dim sum turnip cake, store-bought turnip cake, homemade turnip cake, or fresh turnip cake from a Chinese bakery or market. Just make sure the turnip cake is already cooked and firm enough to slice.
- A nonstick skillet is helpful because turnip cake can stick to the pan.
- If your turnip cake is already salty or flavorful, you may not need any extra seasoning.
- For crispier turnip cake, pan fry the pieces until golden before adding the egg.
- You can keep the turnip cake pieces whole or break them up slightly as the egg cooks.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 137Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 187mgSodium: 73mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 6g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
More Delicious Dim Sum & Chinese Breakfast Ideas
If you love this Pan Fried Turnip Cake with Egg, here are a few more dim sum-inspired dishes, Chinese breakfast ideas, and savory snacks to try next!
- Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil - These tender wontons are tossed in a bold, savory chili oil sauce for a delicious dim sum-style appetizer or snack.
- Chinese Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Beans - A classic dim sum dish made with tender pork spare ribs steamed in a savory black bean garlic sauce.
- Dan Bing Taiwanese Egg Pancake - This popular Taiwanese breakfast is made with a soft, chewy pancake wrapped around egg for a simple and satisfying morning meal.
- Chinese Garlic Chives Pancakes - These savory pan-fried pancakes are packed with fragrant garlic chives and make a tasty snack, appetizer, or breakfast dish.
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