Snacks and Sides
Authentic Singaporean Ngoh Hiang Recipe
These iconic Teochew-Hokkien five-spice pork rolls are a staple of Singaporean family gatherings, offering a perfect balance of savory meat, crunchy water chestnuts, and crispy beancurd skin. Perfectly seasoned with five-spice powder and served with a sweet sauce, they are the ultimate nostalgic snack or side dish.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Serves
- 6
- Level
- Medium
- Per serving
- 320 kcal
Method
In a large mixing bowl, combine the minced pork, chopped prawns, water chestnuts, spring onions, egg, five-spice powder, light soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix vigorously in one direction until the mixture becomes sticky and well-incorporated.
Gently wipe both sides of the dried beancurd skin sheets with a damp cloth to remove excess salt and soften them for easier handling.
Cut the beancurd skin into rectangles of approximately 15x20cm. Place about 3 tablespoons of filling onto the edge of one sheet, forming a log shape.
Roll the beancurd skin tightly over the filling. Seal the edges with a bit of cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water). Repeat until all filling is used.
Arrange the rolls in a steamer and steam over high heat for 10-12 minutes to cook the meat through. Remove and let them cool completely and air-dry slightly.
Heat oil in a wok or deep skillet to medium-high. Fry the rolls in batches until the skin is golden brown and extremely crispy, about 3-5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Slice the rolls at an angle and serve immediately with sweet chili sauce or a dark sweet flour sauce (tim cheong).
Notes
Always wipe the beancurd skin; otherwise, the salt residue on the surface will make the dish unpleasantly salty.
Steaming the rolls first ensures they stay juicy on the inside and allows you to fry them quickly for maximum crunch.
For the best texture, use hand-chopped water chestnuts rather than a food processor to maintain their crunch.
You can prepare and steam these in bulk and freeze them. Just thaw and fry whenever you need a quick side dish.
