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Arrowhead chips (nga gu chips)
Thin slices of arrowhead tuber deep-fried into crisp, golden, slightly bitter New Year chips
Arrowhead (nga gu, or ngaku) is a small aquatic tuber that only shows up in Malaysian markets in the weeks before Chinese New Year, and frying it into chips is a family job. Its curved sprout looks like a shoot rising from the root, so it stands for growth and many descendants in the year ahead. Sliced thin and fried, the chips are crisp and nutty like potato crisps, with a gentle bitterness that keeps you reaching for more. Put them out in jars with peanuts and love letters for visitors. Chef's tip: soak the slices and dry them very well; wet slices make the oil spit and fry up chewy instead of crisp.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb arrowhead tubers (nga gu)skin peeled with a peeler, sprout tip left on
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 4 ¼ cups neutral oilfor deep-frying
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Slice 1 ⅛ lb arrowhead tubers (nga gu) very thinly, about 1.5 mm, from the sprout end down, with a mandoline or sharp knife, dropping the slices into a bowl of cold water.
10 minStep 2: Soak for 10 minutes, then drain and spread on clean tea towels. Pat the slices thoroughly dry on both sides. Common mistake: frying damp slices; the oil spits and the chips go leathery.
10 minStep 3: Heat 4 ¼ cups neutral oil in a deep pan or wok to 325°F over a medium heat, when a slice dropped in sizzles steadily straight away.
5 minStep 4: Fry the slices in small handfuls for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the bubbles slow down and they turn pale gold. Lift out promptly; they darken more as they cool.
15 minStep 5: Drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle with 1 tsp fine salt while still warm. Leave to cool completely until crisp, then store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 18 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does arrowhead chips (nga gu chips) take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
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