What is Lap Cheong?
If you visit any decent-sized Chinese grocery, you'll find an impressive array of Chinese sausages, known commonly by its Cantonese name lap cheong (simplified Chinese : 腊肠 ; 臘腸 traditional Chinese). The term, in fact, is generic and covers a broad range of Chinese sausages, both fresh and smoked, and extends to sausages from Northern and Southern China. What unifies all kinds of Chinese sausages is an extremely sweet flavor and an emulsified texture that makes even the fresher links taste like meat candy.
Where to Buy Chinese Sausages Near Me?
The Best place to get started is to visit your local Chinese Grocery. You can ask what lap cheong they stock, the ingredients, and fat content. In Singapore, the best place to buy is at Tecksangonline.com, or at their retail store at 10 -11 Hong Kong Street.
There are a lot of sellers and distributors selling several varieties of Chinese sausages. You may have to engage in some trial and error to find the seller that has the flavor that works for you.
What are the Ingredients in Chinese Sausage Lap Cheong?
Cantonese Lap Cheong relies on natural ingredients for its rich flavor. Authentic recipes include high-quality pork, often mixed with fat for tenderness.
Essential seasonings are rose wine, sugar, and soy sauce, which enhance the taste. However, avoid common additives and preservatives like MSG and artificial colors, as they compromise the dish's integrity.
Prioritizing natural ingredients ensures a healthier product and preserves the traditional essence of Lap Cheong.
The balance of sweet and savory, achieved through careful selection, makes this sausage a beloved staple in Cantonese cuisine. Always choose quality over convenience for the best results.
What is the Best Chinese Sausage Brand in Singapore?
One of Singapore's best selling and authentic Hong Kong style Chinese sausage is "Double Happiness" ('Jing Mei' 精美腊肠). Currently, it's only sold at Teck Sang, located in Hong Kong Street (Singapore), or online at their store. Prior to the pandemic, Singaporeans would make their annual pilgrimage with their families to purchase a few bunches of their locally handmade Chinese sausages. They've been making it for fifty years, and it has even been beloved by the former Prime Minister's (PM Lee Kwan Yew) mother.
Vacuum Packed Chinese Sausages
Vacuum packed Chinese Sausages are affordable, however, they lack the flavour. When cooking Chinese Cuisine, don't settle for something that lacks flavor! When shopping for cooking lap cheong, it's best to take your time and experiment with the ones from your local Chinese grocery or Asian grocery store. To test the full flavor of it, try cooking lap cheong rice with vacuum packed and the ones purchased from the butcher or Chinese grocery. You will have steamed lap cheong, and that's when it's flavor and aroma will be at it's best.
Enjoy cooking lap cheong by cooking the traditional chinese recipes, such as claypot rice, lap cheong fried rice, and even having them sliced up on their own. If you want to go beyond chinese cuisine and experiment, you can also try substituting some cut meats in your dishes with slices of lap cheong.
