Heng Carrot Cake: Michelin Bib Gourmand Chai Tow Kway With Prawns At Newton

Heng Carrot Cake is a popular chai tow kway stall at Newton Food Centre

Image credit: @cineatmatic

Newton Food Centre recently reopened after three months of renovation, and one of the stalls that immediately attracted lengthy queues was Heng Carrot Cake. They’ve been in business since 1971 and are a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient.

Image credit: @beautiful_place_to_go

Their popularity stems from the tender, almost fluffy kueh that goes into their black and white carrot cakes. Heng takes pride in steaming their own carrot cake, unlike many other stalls which get them factory-made.

Another point of pride at Heng Carrot Cake is how their chai tow kway is fried only with vegetable oil—no pork or lard is used here. Considering how waiting times for fried carrot cake here can conservatively stretch over half an hour on less busy days, it doesn’t mean their fry-ups are any less tasty.

Image credit: @li_wei_aia

Start with Heng’s Carrot Cake w Prawn ($6/$8), which is their zhnged-up version of white carrot cake. It’s slowly fried to golden-yellow ends, with slight bits of char that add a smoky kiss to the final dish. There’s also a $4 option that comes without prawns.

Image credit: @uni_bonbon

The yin to that yang is Black Carrot Cake ($4/$6/$8), which is fried without prawns, but sweetened with caramel soya sauce. If you’d like a bit of both, a $6 plate gets you a half-serve of each!

Image credit: @curatedfoodprints

For some reviewers, the true champ at this stall is their Oyster Omelette ($6/$8/$10), loaded with fat, juicy oysters, and wok-kissed egg that’s not too heavy with starch. If you prefer the starch-free version, that’s Oyster Egg ($8/$10) for you.

Besides Heng Carrot Cake, check out our guide to dining at Newton Food Centre for more tasty grub! Pair your carrot cake with some orh luak from Hup Kee Fried Oyster.

Address: 500 Clemenceau Avenue North, #01-28, Newton Food Centre, Singapore 229495
Opening hours: Sun-Mon 5pm to 1am, Wed-Thurs 5pm to 1am, Fri 6pm to 1am
Tel: 9766 1616
Heng Carrot Cake is not a halal-certified eatery, but uses no pork or lard

Feature image adapted from @cineatmatic and @beautiful_place_to_go