My love for the unusual gai zai beng (known as baked pork cake in Hong Kong / Guangzhou), that differs from the version in Singapore and Malaysia, has been mentioned a few times in this blog and i missed it so much; i almost wanted to purchase a few packets from Taobao.com!
Thankfully, i need not go to that extent of paying so much for just one packet (about S$20); not after i happened to walk past the Tai Chong Kok branch in Northpoint just before the circuit breaker (CB) kicked in.
The display of traditional Chinese pastries seldom catches my attention as there are too many varieties and i am usually not the kind to buy without sampling. I don't know what happened that day but i was glancing across the various types of pastries and my eyes were drawn to the bags on the right of the middle glass display.
鸡仔饼 - rubbing my eyes and taking a closer look; the somewhat oblong, chunkier shape was definitely not the thinner kind we have in Singapore and Malaysia. Getting a bit excited here; i asked the staff member in the store if this is the vegetarian, local version.
It's not! Needless to say, i immediately got a pack to try! Two days later, i went down to the same branch and got another four packs as there was a 20% storewide discount due to the impending temporary closure as result of CB.
Five pieces in one pack and it cost S$2.50 (before discount). There's an expiry date label on the pack; the ones i got would expire at about three weeks' time. Doubt they would survive so long.
This is how one piece looks like; visually unappetizing, felt a bit hard and appeared similar to a flat piece of pebble. Don't be turned off; give it a bite first!
MMMmmmmmmm, the familiar taste of gai zai beng that i enjoyed immensely; the light crunch that gave way to the aroma of the five spices powder and the taste of sweet pork meat! To be frank, it wasn't as yummy (no large pieces of lard) as the ones i got in Guangzhou but i am not complaining so long it can help to curb my craving!
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Address
930 Yishun Ave 2, Northpoint City North Wing,
#B1-47, Singapore 769098
Price
雞仔餅 - S$2.50 a pack
I love this savoury biscuit too! You can actually get them at Sheng Siong as well, it comes in a red bag and more fragrant than the one at Tai Chong Kok =)
ReplyDeletereally?!?!? which branch? i went to the one in marsiling but couldn't find it... :(
DeleteI'm looking for 腐乳饼. Does this one has腐乳inside? Thanks
ReplyDeleteHello! I think it has a bit but definitely not as strong as the one i had in Hong Kong. Maybe you can check with the brand directly. their contact is https://www.taichongkok.com/contact-us.
DeleteAlso looking 腐乳饼 or 潮汕腐乳饼 but seems like 现今 Singapore cannot find 🥲
DeleteI don't think I have heard of this before but honestly, i don't really know the names for most of those traditional biscuits and pastry!
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