Tikoy Trivia for Chinese New Year 2022
Cover Learn all about the delicious Chinese New Year treat

Whether you call it nian gao or tikoy, we can all agree that the sweet treat is absolutely delicious

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, which means a whole lot of delicious food is about to be had. Are you ready to visit all your favourite restaurants, and for all those laughter-filled family gatherings? There are endless savoury delights to feast on, but also a plethora of sweet treats too. While tikoy, the delectable, sticky delight is available year-round, it becomes especially popular this time of the year from Binondo to offices and homes.

Before you dive into the sweet goodness of Chinese glutinous rice cake, here are some facts you probably didn’t know about tikoy:

See also: The best foodie gifts for Chinese New Year 2024

1. Where did the word “tikoy” come from?

Tatler Asia
Tikoy: Photo Instagram / @cookwithenna
Above A coconut milk tikoy (Photo Instagram / @cookwithenna)
Tatler Asia
Tikoy: Photo Instagram / @cookwithenna
Above A coconut milk tikoy (Photo Instagram / @cookwithenna)

A columnist revealed in an article that the word is actually the Filipinised term of ti-ke, which means “sweet pastry” in the Hokkien dialect, the language most used by the Filipino Chinese community. This dialect is also used by the people living in the southeastern part of Fujian Province in China. 

The delicacy is also referred to as nian gao in Mandarin Chinese — the most widely-used dialect in China. It translates to “year cake” or Chinese New Year’s cake. It also translates to "higher year," which is believed to promise a better year ahead.

Its sticky consistency symbolises a healthy bond within the family and other relationships. For some, it also means luck will stick to you all year.

See also: Chinese new year 2022: 5 must-have ‘lucky’ dishes and their symbolism

2. Who brought tikoy to the Philippines?

Tatler Asia
Tikoy Photo: Instagram / @justinfoodprints
Above Tikoy in the shape and design of koi fish (Photo: Instagram / @justinfoodprints)

The Chinese-Filipino relationship goes way back, even before the Spanish colonisers arrived in 1521. Traders from southern Chinese provinces exchanged goods like silk, porcelain, beads, and coloured glass among others to Filipinos. Most of the traders eventually settled in the country and influenced the local culture and the local cuisine. In fact, Binondo, Manila is commonly known as the world's oldest Chinatown established in 1594. 

Chinese food like pancit, lumpia, and siomai made its way into the Filipino kitchen and became favourites in due course—including tikoy.

3. A Chinese New Year dessert turned Filipino favourite

Tatler Asia
Tikoy Trivia for Chinese New Year 2022
Above Tikoy or nian gao is one of many Chinese delicacies popular in the Philippines

It is widely believed that Chua Chiu Hong, a migrant from Mainland China, was the one responsible for making the well-loved Chinese delicacy popular. In 1912, he established a simple stall in the heart of Ongpin, Manila and sold favourites like hopia, mooncake, and tikoy to initially cater to Chinese immigrants in the Philippines.

Filipinos eventually flocked to the stall, and it instantly became famous for its food. The stall grew to become Eng Bee Tin and is now considered the country’s most popular seller of Chinese delicacies.

See also: Why is Filipino cuisine one of the richest food cultures in the world

4. A bribe to the Kitchen God

Tatler Asia
Tikoy Photo: Instagram / @thaikeeiga
Above Photo: Instagram / @thaikeeiga

Tikoy is regarded as one of China’s oldest delicacies; its origin traces back to numerous different stories. One legend dates back more than 2,000 years ago during the period of Confucius. The story involves a “Kitchen God” who reports to the Jade Emperor on the behaviours of families, which will be the basis of whether their lives will be shortened or lengthened. Because of this, people would offer the sticky tikoy to the kitchen deity, making it difficult for him to open his mouth and speak ill of the family.

See also: What does it take to be the world's #23 bar?

5. Can it be eaten raw?

Tatler Asia
Tikoy Photo: Instagram / @foxyfolksy
Above Homemade tikoy (Photo: Instagram / @foxyfolksy)
Tatler Asia
Tikoy Photo: Instagram / @foxyfolksy
Above Homemade tikoy, fried up (Photo: Instagram / @foxyfolksy)

Tikoy is usually cooked by slicing it to pieces, coating it with beaten egg and then frying. Chances are, you are probably tired of the usual. With the inevitable abundance of tikoy coming your way, you might want to spice things up and level up your tikoy recipe this year.

Here are some tikoy recipes you can try and explore:

  • Tikoy Turon: Slice tikoy into thin strips and prepare slivers of jackfruit (langka) or banana. Wrap it together in lumpier wrappers and fry until golden brown. Drizzle with condensed milk or wrap with sugar!
  • Tikoy á la mode: Fry tikoy like you usually do (egg-coated) and top it with a scoop of ice cream and your choice of toppings — caramel or chocolate syrup, candy bits.
  • Healthy tikoy: Instead of pan-frying, you can steam tikoy with grated coconut and/or dip it in ground peanut!

Tikoy is made from glutinous rice and is actually edible straight out of the box.

NOW READ

The most anticipated restaurant openings of 2024

The best bar openings of 2023

Where to order cauliflower rice meals

Topics