As the end of summer approaches, the city of Hong Kong gears up for one of the most beloved traditions of the year. With Mid-Autumn Festival just around the corner, the oppressive heat and humidity of the summer months is soon to fade, and families are preparing to gather in celebration. From full moon gifts like mooncakes, symbolising family unity and spending time with loved ones, to shared family-style feasts and cooler autumn nights spent under the night moon gelato in hand, we are here with a line-up of festive options ideal for celebrating together over the long holiday weekend.
THE HO LEE FOOK MOONCAKE COLLECTION
With a deep love for the city and their Cantonese roots, Chef ArChan and Chef Winson set out to craft the first-ever set of Ho Lee Fook mooncakes in a way that would pay homage to the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations across the city.
A symbol of family reunion, peace and harmony, often given as a token of appreciation, the Ho Lee Fook Mooncake Collection stays true to the restaurant’s ethos of going back to basics and executing with a love and attention to detail that brings forward the history and culture of the city it calls home. For Chef ArChan, “There are a lot of different styles and versions of mooncakes out there, from traditional to modern, but we wanted to go with a flavour that was authentic and went back to the basics. Doing so is in line with what we do at Ho Lee Fook, we do not change things just for the sake of changing them, instead we focus on creating the best possible version of something that pays homage to the original.”
Available in limited quantity, these four tender, square pastries are made by hand, filled with a light custard, and salted egg yolk, Chef ArChan’s favourite traditional Hong Kong flavour, all presented in Ho Lee Fook fashion.
Pre-order for the Ho Lee Fook Mooncake Collection is now available and can be made here. Availability is limited and collected from Ho Lee Fook starting 18 September from 6-10pm.
UNDER THE SICHUAN MOON SPECIALS AT GRAND MAJESTIC SICHUAN
From 28 September – 1 October
Mid-Autumn festival falls at the time of year when different types of seafood in Hong Kong are the most abundant and the surrounding waters provide bountiful treasures for the season. Inspired not only by the plethora of produce available in the region but by the tradition of family gatherings and feasting that defines the Mid-Autumn season, Chef Theign Phan is introducing a selection of Under The Sichuan Moon specials over the long holiday weekend.
With a focus on the abundant seasonal produce of the region, enjoy new dishes, including Jiu Xiang Ma La Liang Ban Hai Xian, fragrant and numbing assortment of seafood including abalone, clams and the briny, sweet flavour of whelks. The centrepiece of every Mid-Autumn feast is the Shao Jiao Di Wang Xie, a steamed Japanese king crab served with Sichuan-style scorched green chillies resting on a bed of mung bean jelly noodles (must be pre-ordered 48-hours in advance). It is believed that the full moon is when crabs are most well-fed and plump, and this simple dish showcases the sweet flavour of the meat balanced by the smokiness of the sauce. To end the meal, Chef Theign introduces San Da Pao glutinous rice balls coated with soybean flour and finished with black sugar syrup.
Reservations for Mid-Autumn at Grand Majestic Sichuan can be made here.
BIG MOON ENERGY AT MESSINA
Starting 27 September
This Mid-Autumn, Hong Kong’s favourite gelateria is giving off Big Moon Energy with two new exclusive flavours. Messina specials rotate every week and are greeted with much fanfare from those who are in the know. Each with its own story and inspiration behind it, these wildly inventive gelato concoctions have built the brand up to its cult status.
Celebrating the occasion with Big Moon Energy, Group Pastry Chef Karys Plaxe and the Messina team have crafted two weekly specials in honour of the festival, running the week of 27 September, inspired by traditional flavours of the holiday. Introducing Over The Moon, a lotus seed paste gelato, salted duck egg custard with crumbled mooncake biscuit, is a literal take on the mooncake, deconstructed down to its traditional components, the Messina way. Supear Moon, highlights one of autumn’s most beloved flowers, Osmanthus, paired with pear to bring out its floral aromas.
Messina specials launch on 27 September and are available at the Pottinger Street gelateria.
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Learn more about the Ho Lee Fook mooncake collection here.
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