A dish of willow leaf cakes. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY  Chive cakes, willow leaf cakes and radish cakes are among the dozens of Chinese dishes you can find at Phùng Hưng Market in HCM City's District 5, known as a Chinese food heaven.

Chinese chive cakes are made from rice flour and served either flat, round or square. Traditionally, rice flour is mixed with warm water, then hand-kneaded until the dough reaches a soft, supple and smooth texture. Chives are cut, then added to the dough, which is steamed.

The final step involves deep-frying the cakes until crispy.

Willow leaf cakes are a snack popular in China's Chaozhou city. The dumpling powder crust is typically filled with sticky rice, dried shrimp, pork, pickled radish and spring onions, very similar to a steamed, salty sticky rice dish.

The cake has a purple pink colour and is considered a symbol of luck and longevity. Chaozhou people often include willow leaf cakes in their ceremonies.

Radish cakes are considered a lucky new year dish in Chaozhou. The cake is made from sticky rice flour and white radish, shredded into fibres, drained of liquid, then stir-fried before mixing. Dried shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, five-flavour seasoning, or sausages can be added before steaming.

Most dishes cost only VNĐ5,000 to VNĐ35,000 (US$0.22-1.50). VNS