One of the most important dates in the Chinese calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the moon, which symbolises prosperity, happiness and the coming together of loved ones. Celebrated when the celestial body is at its fullest and brightest, it takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, this year falling on 15 September. In China it is marked with a national holiday, and while we may not have the day off here in the UK, there are still plenty of ways to get into the celebratory spirit.
Among the key traditions are moon cakes – consisting of an outer pastry shell and filled with sweet or savoury pastes, their round shape denotes togetherness and they are often delicately decorated with intricate patterns. Yauatcha, a mini-chain of restaurants whose inventive patisserie is just as lauded as its exquisite dim sum, has created a signature version of the sweet treat for the occasion. Filled with a thick, Chinese-style custard filling with a sweet pastry exterior, they are available from the a la carte menu at both the Soho and City outposts, served with vanilla ice cream and creme anglaise (£6.20), or to purchase individually from the counter (£4), until 15 September.
Last year, the Royal China Group sold more than 1,000 moon cakes, and for 2016 it is once again offering boxes of the delicacy in traditional flavours made in-house by its expert pastry chefs. Varieties include egg-yolk custard (the yolk represents the full moon), available in miniature size in a box of eight (£23.80), or larger double-salted duck-egg yolk and lotus-leaf paste versions in a box of four (£25.80).
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Bing Luo, head chef of Hutong at the Shard, has brought a contemporary twist, replacing the pastry with a glutinous rice casing known as snow skin or ping pei, similar to that used on the Japanese rice cake mochi. They are served in three flavours: custard, taro and jasmine tea.
These desserts are just one part of a special seven-course tasting menu at Hutong, priced at £65, available from 12 to 25 September. Savoury dishes on offer include the seafood starter of octopus salad in hot and sour sauce, followed by a fiery Sichuan-style dish of spicy cuttlefish, as well as meat courses such as beef tenderloin in Yuxiang sauce and stir-fried chicken with fresh chilli and preserved vegetables.
Those dining at Hutong from 15 to 17 September can also partake in another tradition of the Mid-Autumn festivities, in which riddles and notes are written on lanterns. The restaurant is bringing in a calligrapher for the occasion, who will create bespoke good-luck messages for guests.
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