Traditional Ang Ku Kueh Workshop in Singapore

Red tortoise cake, also known as ang ku kueh, is a small, round or oval-shaped Chinese pastry. It has a soft, sticky glutinous rice flour skin wrapped around a sweet central filling. The cake is molded to resemble a tortoise shell and is presented resting on a square piece of banana leaf. As its name suggests, red tortoise cakes are traditionally red in color and have a sticky, chewy texture when eaten. The cakes are shaped like tortoise shells because the Chinese traditionally believed that eating tortoises would bring longevity to those who are eating it and bring about good fortune and prosperity. As auspicious items, these sweet pastries are especially prepared during important festivals such as Chinese New Year as offerings to the Chinese deities.