It is no secret that people who live in Hong Kong are keen on food. Whether we are craving a delicious hotpot shared with friends, some hot and tasty street food, or something sweeter, we take our food very seriously and food is often the way into our hearts.
The truth is that in Hong Kong and other Chinese cultures, food is something that is precious and sentimental because it is steeped in tradition, cultural experience and personal expression. Though we all develop our own personal preferences, the foods we were enjoying with family and friends in our formative years leave a lasting impression and bring us comfort throughout our lives.
Not everyone likes sweet foods, but even those who are not particularly fond of them will still have a few they remember from their childhood. Sweet foods in particular are something that many of us associate with special occasions and times of celebration.
Think birthday cakes, traditional cakes served at Christmas, and even dried, candied fruits that are a favourite among grandparents. We tend to enjoy foods such as these on special occasions because while they are delicious, they are not particularly good for us and are best kept as an occasional treat.
If you are choosing the perfect sweet treat or dessert for a special occasion, then these are some of the most popular in Hong Kong. Any of them would make an excellent gift or addition to a party or get-together, just make sure you choose something that is suitable for the people you’ll be sharing it with.
Milk puddings are simple desserts that take on a range of flavours, but every single one of them should be silky soft, smooth and creamy. They are similar to a custard, though they are much lighter and finer. Plain milk pudding is always a winner because it has just the right amount of natural sweetness, though milk puddings which are lightly flavoured with ginger are also a hit with most.
Traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, though these small, delicate desserts are also a symbol of family and reunion which means that they are popular all year round. Traditionally mooncakes are stuffed with lotus paste, though regional and cultural variations do exist such as mooncakes filled with red bean paste, macadamia nuts, candied citrus peel and salted duck egg yolks.
Served savoury as a main or sweetened for dessert, glutinous rice has an addictive texture which makes it a wonderful accompaniment but it can just as easily be the star of the show in a meal. Sweet glutinous rice is usually pastel coloured and rolled into balls to serve as a dessert which symbolises togetherness and the closeness between friends and family. They can be eaten plain with some slight sweetness added, or can be flavoured with delicious traditional flavours such as black sesame, chocolate and salted egg yolk.
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of eating soup as a dessert then a sweet dish like black sesame soup might seem like a strange idea but it really is something you must try. This Chinese delicacy is popular in Hong Kong where black sesame is cooked and ground into a paste. It has a natural, earthy and slightly sweet flavour profile and is often served with glutinous rice balls, and almond paste to lighten the flavour a little. You only need a small bowl of this rich paste to satisfy your craving and it’s also full of nutrition from the sesame.
A favourite among locals and expats alike, egg waffles are a wonderful dessert, snack or breakfast food. You can top yours with pretty much anything you like such as ice cream, evaporated milk, fresh fruit or various syrups for a sweet treat at any time of the day. If you prefer yours with a more savoury flavour then you could try incorporating egg waffles into your meals and eat them topped with things like fried chicken, eggs, bacon, grilled mushrooms or roasted tomatoes. Some restaurants take this a step further and will use egg waffles in place of burger buns in some of their menu items.