Join This Advanced Workshop and Learn to Make ‘Squid Game’-Inspired Ang Ku Kueh

From frozen yogurt to bubble tea and Japanese bento box meals to Korean restos, there are plenty of goodies you can find in Singapore for your snacking pleasure. That being said, you’ve probably heard about these red tortoise cakes made from glutinous rice called Ang Ku Kueh.

Its origin can be traced back to the community of Fujian in the southern part of China where this special treat is prepared particularly during the Hungry Ghost and Ching Ming Festival. Its name comes from the Hokkien dialect in which “ang” means red, “ku” refers to a tortoise, and “kueh” in Malay means cake.

It is a vegan- and Muslim-friendly snack popular (but rare) in the city-state featuring its tortoise shape with an imprinted Chinese character “shou” meaning longevity. In Chinese culture, the tortoise symbolises long life and completeness while red signifies prosperity, joy, and happiness.

Traditionally filled with mung bean pasta, Ang Ku Kueh tastes sweet, has a delightfully chewy texture, and is served on a piece of banana leaf or bamboo leaves sometimes. In Asian countries like Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines, Ang Ku Kueh is eaten every morning or afternoon with tea.

Over the years, confectioneries gave them a flavour upgrade by using different fruits or vegetables such as sweet purple potatoes, and orange pumpkin, among others. Its traditional red colour is made using natural food colouring like red beet powder or red yeast.

‘Squid Game’-Inspired Ang Ku Kueh

Learning how to properly cook Ang Ku Kueh is made possible by Ji Xiang Confectionery located in Victoria Street in Singapore.

The confectionery is the only business in Singapore that specialises in handmade Ang Ku Kueh. Aside from selling the special treat, they also conduct introductory and advanced workshops. A professional instructor will demonstrate every procedure from dough folding and filling to skin thickness. Recently, Ji Xiang Confectionery joined the “Squid Game” bandwagon by offering an advanced Ang Ku Kueh workshop this November, featuring the characters in the Korean hit series wearing the iconic red jumpsuits with different shapes on their masks.

The Ang Ku Kueh hands-on advanced workshop is scheduled every Monday and Saturday (Nov. 20 and 27 only). For first time participants, you must complete an introductory class prior to joining the advanced level.

The advanced workshop may take about one hour and 45 minutes and is open to participants aged seven years old and up. Everyone is expected to learn wrapping and molding of Ang Ku Kueh with customised character structure filled with homemade peanut or mung bean paste.

From kitchen equipment to baking ingredients, the total workshop fee costs S$125 (weekday) and S$130 (weekend). The rate for subsequent sessions will be S$85 to S$90 each.

Ji Xiang Confectionary also conducts corporate workshops available for 10 to 20 persons scheduled every 5 PM onwards.