(Originally published in August 2020, updated in June 2025)

Traditional Chinese Medicine stands by the practice of eating with the seasons. As the Chinese saying 不時不食 goes (pronounced “bud si bud sik” in Cantonese), foods that are not in season should not be eaten.

Eating foods that are in season have multiple benefits. Fruits and vegetables will taste better, grocery shopping will cost less, and the environment will fare better. Traditional Chinese medicine has its own arguments for eating with the seasons as well. Ancient Chinese medical practitioners found out that our dietary requirements change with the seasons, as our bodies have varying needs depending on the weather and climate.

With summer being hot in most countries, Chinese medical wisdom dictates that our diets should contain more fruits and vegetables at this time to cool our body down and provide enough fluids. If you’re wondering what to eat in summer according to traditional Chinese medicine, here are ten foods to get you started.

1. Cooling teas

Though technically a drink and not a food, cooling teas such as green tea or white tea help to cool your body down by warding off summer heat and detoxifying the body. Considered yin in nature, green tea also helps in alleviating summer ailments such as irritability. Visit our sister company, Pekoe&Petals, to buy some amazing tea for brewing at home. The tea professionals there can recommend different teas for different seasons.

Herbal tea, a drink popular in Southern China and Hong Kong, also helps to cool your body down in summer. The Chinese name for herbal tea 涼茶 (pronounced “leung cha” in Cantonese) literally means cool tea, so it’s pretty self explanatory what it does! Made by brewing herbs, plants, and fruits in water, herbal tea is traditionally served in rice bowls at stores, but can also be found bottled for customers to drink on the go.

2. Sugarcane juice

Another drink that will keep your body cool this summer is sugarcane juice. Deliciously sweet and refreshing with a slightly grassy aftertaste, sugarcane juice is adored by kids and adults alike in Hong Kong. Stalks of sugarcane are fed into an extractor, which presses the sugarcane between two steel rollers to extract the green nectar. The juice is then served in glasses for customers to drink on the spot, or bottled for later consumption. According to traditional Chinese medicine, sugarcane juice is considered yin and helps remove excessive heat and humidity in the body. Research has also shown that sugarcane juice is rich in antioxidants, iron, magnesium and electrolytes. If you’re wondering what to drink in summer, this is it!

Want to try sugarcane juice yourself? Join our Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour, where we’ll take you to a decades-old, family-run sugarcane juice store in Hong Kong!

3. Watermelon

A list of what to eat in summer wouldn’t be complete without the most summery fruit of all– watermelon. The sweltering heat and stifling humidity of summer disturbs the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. Watermelon helps your body restore this balance with its nourishing and cooling effects. It has even been said to have calming effects, easing frustration, restlessness and worry!

The red flesh of the fruit is what we’re used to eating, but the white part of the rind actually contains the most potent properties. A mild diuretic, the white part promotes urination– an effective strategy to clear that summer heat from your body.

Few people know this, but even the seeds can be used as medicine. Boil dried watermelon seeds in water to make a tea that promotes urination and lowers high blood pressure. Using all parts of a watermelon is a fantastic way to get started on your zero waste journey for sure!

4. Cucumber

Cucumbers are at their best during their peak season, which spans the summer months of May through August. Besides tasting their best in summer, another reason to eat cucumbers over these months is that they clear summer heat and eliminate toxins according to traditional Chinese medicine. Being 95% water, eating cucumbers also replenishes our bodies with the water we’ve lost in the dehydrating heat of summer.

5. Bitter melon

You might be noticing a pattern– melons make up a large share of what to eat in summer. This is because melons come into peak season in the summer. The third melon on our list is bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or goya. Its unique bitterness makes it quite a polarizing vegetable– you either love it or hate it. The bitterness comes from a substance called momordicin, which promotes appetite while protecting the lining of our stomach and intestines. Viewed as a cooling food in traditional Chinese medicine, bitter melons help to expel summer heat, reduce inflammation, and sharpen vision. They are also rich in vitamin C, iron, and fiber.

There are two ways to reduce the bitterness of bitter melon. One way is to rub slices of the melon with salt and let them sit for 20 minutes, which draws out its bitter juices. You can then get rid of the excess salt by rinsing and draining the slices. Another way is to parboil the bitter melon by dropping pieces or slices of it into a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes, then rinsing them in cold water to prevent them from getting too soft.

6. Winter melon

The last melon on our list, winter melon is actually commonly eaten in summer despite its name. This massive melon can grow up to 15 inches in diameter and weigh over 30 pounds! Since it is so big, it is usually sold in slices at markets in Hong Kong. Winter melon is rarely eaten raw, and often used in nourishing soups. When cooked, it becomes soft and translucent, with a mild, refreshing flavor. The cooling nature of winter melon makes it a soothing remedy for the summer heat from a Chinese medical perspective.

Read more about winter melons and how they’re served at restaurants in our blog!

7. Mung beans

If you’re wondering what else to eat in summer, mung beans are a great choice. These tiny green-colored beans are small but mighty, packing a ton of benefits ranging from cooling and detoxifying the body to relieving rashes. While not a common ingredient in western cuisines, mung beans are often found in Chinese foods, from zong zi– sticky rice dumplings eaten on Tuen Ng Festival, to mung bean sweet soup– an old-school Cantonese dessert. You can grow your own bean sprouts from them with only a damp towel and a container, or add them to stews or curries like you would with other beans.

8. Job’s Tears

Also known as Chinese pearl barley and coix seed, Job’s Tears is a nutty, earthy, slightly chewy grain commonly used in soups and drinks in many Asian countries. In traditional Chinese medicine, Job’s Tears is thought to have cooling and diuretic properties, helping to reduce inflammation and heat in the body, which often accumulates over the summer.

Job’s Tears tends to be hard to come by in western countries, but Bon Appétit magazine has reported that Job’s Tears are actually picking up steam across the United States lately, with a few discerning cooks adding these seemingly-obscure grains to their menus.

9. Lotus root

Depending on how it is prepared, lotus root can offer different health benefits. When eaten raw, such as in salads or pressed into juice, lotus root is considered cooling and helps to get rid of excess heat in the body. When cooked, the root becomes warm in nature, and strengthens the spleen and the stomach. This is especially helpful since people tend to eat lots of icy food in the summer, which can weaken the spleen and the stomach.

10. Tomato

Rounding off our list of what to eat in summer is the mighty tomato. Chock-full of antioxidants, vitamin C and potassium, this miracle fruit is also highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine. Tomatoes are considered cooling in nature, helping to repel summer heat in the body, while aiding digestion and detoxification. What’s more is that tomatoes are at their peak in summer, meaning that you will be getting the most flavor and nutrition out of them.

Have more ideas on what to eat in summer? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Featured image by kian2018 from Pixabay.

The post What to Eat in Summer According to Traditional Chinese Medicine appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

1. Pineapple Buns

Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour — Pineapple Bun

Kicking off this list, we have the quintessential Hong Kong classic. Mostly served in bakeries and cha chaan tengs, the pineapple bun is a soft, fluffy roll blanketed in a crumbly, sweet craquelin-esque top. Sink your teeth into one and you will be greeted with a glorious medley of textures– think crunchy bursts of lightly caramelized sugar crust between bites of warm, comforting bread. Mind you, there’s no pineapple in the bun– its name stems from its topping’s resemblance to the fruit. If you’re not counting calories, you must try the buttered pineapple bun, which is stuffed with a generous slice of ¼-inch thick butter, cold from the fridge for the most amazing hot-and-cold sensation.

2. Zhu Cheung Fun (Rice Rolls)

Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour — rice rolls

Zhu cheung fun (also known as cheung fun) are steamed rice rolls you can often find as street snacks or at dim sum parlors. When made well, these rolls are silky smooth, not at all gummy, and have a wonderful aroma of freshly steamed rice. We love them doused liberally with lashings of seasoned soy sauce, sweet sauce, sesame sauce, and a dollop of chilli sauce on the side for a spicy kick. Always ask for extra sesame seeds on top, or opt for ones dotted with dried shrimps and spring onions for more flavor!

3. Milk Tea / Yin Yang 

Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour — Milk Tea

Hong Kong-style milk tea is completely different from other Asian milk teas– and dare we say its on a league of its own. An earthy blend of black tea and evaporated milk, some even strained through silk stockings for the silkiest mouthfeel, Hong Kong-style milk tea is the epitome of the city’s East-meets-West culture. Also try yin yang– milk tea with coffee added in for that extra kick of caffeine to begin your morning.

4. Tofu Dessert

Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour — Tofu dessert

Hong Kong might not have the best reputation for being vegan-friendly, but the tofu dessert is perfectly suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. Also known as tofu fa or tofu pudding, this dessert is smooth like the best panna cotta and slides onto your tongue effortlessly. Tasting only of soybeans, the pudding is the perfect vessel for the light syrup and crunchy red sugar crystals often offered by tofu dessert vendors. Have the dessert served warm in the frosty winter air, or enjoy it cold when it’s blazing hot in summer.

Try the pineapple bun, zhu cheung fun, milk tea and tofu dessert at our Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour, at which we’ll ensure you end up at the best tried-and-tasted spots in the city!

5. Dim Sum

Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour — Dim Sum

Ask anyone what Chinese food is to them and we guarantee 9 out of 10 people will say dim sum. Literally meaning “touch the heart”, these little morsels originated in Guangdong as delicious accompaniments to tea at tea houses. Must-trys include har gow– steamed dumplings of firm, fat shrimps enveloped in a translucent, chewy rice wrapper; siu mai– open-faced pork and shrimp dumplings wrapped with a thin yellow sheet; cha siu bao– fluffy white steamed buns stuffed with sweet and savory chunks of barbecued pork; and spring rolls– a variety of meat and vegetables rolled within a thin, crunchy pastry, served with Worcestershire sauce. Be adventurous and try everything on the dim sum menu, and allow your heart to caressed by a bit of Hong Kong, one bite at a time.

6. Hong Kong-style Egg Tarts

Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour — egg tarts

There are two distinct varieties of egg tarts: the shortcrust egg tart, and the puff pastry egg tart. Both are equally as good, but we think the classic will always be the shortcrust pastry egg tart. Hong Kong’s (much better) solution to British custard tarts, shortcrust egg tarts consist of a velvety, eggy custard that’s lighter than its British counterpart, encased in buttery pastry. Best served piping hot and with milk tea on the side! Hint: Remember not to get them mixed up with the Portuguese egg tarts! They’re not the same!

7. Wonton Noodles

Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour — Wonton Noodles

Top-notch wonton noodles consist of thin, springy egg noodles cooked al dente, perched atop shrimp and pork dumplings and lifted by a spoon to keep them from turning soggy, swimming in an umami-packed broth and topped with yellow chives. Some spots boast of their shrimp-only dumplings, but purists will claim that only wontons that contain pork are the real deal. Eat the noodles first (with a bit of soup and chives in every bite) so they don’t go soft!

8. Siu Mei (roasted meats)

BBQ pork

Siu mei refers to a range of Cantonese roasted meats, usually served over rice with vegetables for a quick lunch. Local favorites include BBQ pork (cha siu)– juicy cuts of pork slathered in a gravy of spices, wine, maltose and soy sauce, roasted in a cylindrical oven until the maltose caramelizes; roast pork (siu yuk)– an entire hog roasted on spits over an open fire, with a puffy crackling so crunchy you can hear its crunch with every bite; suckling pig (yu zhu)– the most tender meat topped with a paper-thin, unbelievably crisp crackling that shatters like glass; and roast goose (siu ngo)– roasted until the skin is bronzed and crisp, seasoned with an aromatic mix of five spice powder and wine, and served with a sweet, tangy plum sauce that cuts through the richness.

Not sure where the locals flock to for dim sum, egg tarts, wonton noodles, and BBQ pork? Let us take you to our favorite joints on our Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour!

9. Egg Puffs

Temple Street Night Foodie Tour — Egg Puffs

Also known as egg waffles or gai daan jai, egg puffs are one of our favorite street snacks. Crisp on one side and soft on the other, held together by a golden lattice of batter, egg puffs great for sharing as the each “bubble” is made to be torn from the waffle. Some stores get a little creative and serve egg puffs in different varieties– flavored with matcha, filled with chocolate chips, or even topped with scoops of ice cream. We definitely recommend trying the original first though, as the subtle eggy flavor is what makes the egg puff such a classic, nostalgic treat.

10. Curry Fish Balls

Curry fishballs

Golden, deep fried spheres of fish paste, bathed in a spicy curry broth and served on skewers– this classic street snack has been around for decades and is here to stay. Each store claims to have their own secret blend of curry spices, so definitely try as many as you can until you find your favorite.

Gorge on egg puffs, fish balls, and all sorts of scrummy street food on our Temple Street Night Foodie Tour!

11. Beef Brisket Noodles

Tai Po Market Foodie Tour — beef brisket noodles

Beef brisket noodles consists of tender chunks of braised brisket and springy egg noodles (or our personal favorite– chewy, spongy e-fu noodles), served in a flavorful beef bone broth and topped with a handful of spring onions. Some spots also serve a curried variety of the soup for those who prefer more intense flavors.

12. Fresh Seafood

Steamed fish

Hong Kong’s proximity to the sea makes seafood an essential part of the city’s cuisine. For Hong Kongers, freshness is first priority when it comes to seafood, so rest assured that your meal will be as fresh as you can get. Must-trys include steamed grouper with springy, tender flesh, topped with a mountain of spring onions and doused with seasoned soy sauce, and stir-fried mud crabs with ginger and spring onion, piping hot and bursting with the complex, smoky aroma of wok hei.

In the mood to explore the less touristy areas of Hong Kong? Venture into the New Territories and feast on beef brisket noodles and fresh seafood on our Tai Po Market Foodie Tour!

13. French Toast

Hong Kong style french toast

Hong Kong-style french toast is the devil on a plate. Peanut butter sandwiched between two slices of bread, dunked in egg and deep fried, this snack is an addictive, carby square of evil goodness. If that’s not good (or bad?) enough for you, it’s usually served with butter and drenched in golden syrup. We call the french toast the edible equivalent of an abusive boyfriend– obviously terrible for you but keeps you craving for more at the same time.

14. Claypot Rice

Claypot rice

A winter favorite, claypot rice (bo zai fan) consists of a variety of fresh and cured meats cooked over rice inside a claypot, over a gas or charcoal stove. As it cooks, savory juices from the meats coat each individual grain of rice, turning the humble ingredients into pot of gold. We’ll let you in on a little secret– the best bit is the crunchy, charred layer of rice stuck to the sides of the pot. Just loosen it with your spoon mix bits of it into your rice for the most glorious medley of textures.

Did you know you can recreate this scrumptious dish at home? Find out how to make claypot rice with our recipe here!

15. Hot Pot

Hot pot

Hot pot dinners are as social as meals can get. Another winter favorite, Hong Kongers love gathering their friends and family around a boiling vat of seasoned broth, then dipping thin slices of raw meat, fish, or vegetables into the broth until they’re cooked, with a lot of chatting in between. Condiments are also an important part of hot pot– perfect your magical dipping concoction by choosing between a huge range of sauces and aromatics from plain old soy sauce to sesame paste or deep fried garlic. Think hot pot is only for winter? True Hong Kongers are die-hard devotees of hot pot even in the summer, when the city continues its winter communal-dining ritual by blasting the air conditioning.

16. Mango Pomelo Dessert

Lei Garden – Mango Pomelo Dessert

Invented in the 1980s by famous restaurant chain Lei Garden, this dessert consists of mango chunks, pomelo segments and pearls of sago swimming in a sweet soup of mango puree, evaporated milk and coconut milk. Always served cold, this childhood favorite is super refreshing and perfect for sweaty summer days.

17. Fried Beef Noodles

Beef fried noodles

A true test of skill for any Cantonese cook, fried beef noodles (gon chau ngau ho) is an aromatic dish of flat rice noodles tossed with soy sauce, tender slices of beef, crunchy bean sprouts and spring onions over an extremely high heat for that quintessential wok hei. Don’t let your doctor know you’re binging on this dish as it is extremely high in fat and sodium, but if you’re in Hong Kong for the food, we think this dish is worth going on a month-long juice cleanse for.

18. Roasted Chestnuts

Roast chestnuts

Once the crisp fall breeze sets in, you’ll start seeing hawkers pushing carts with a massive wok on one side, and a range of roasted goodies on the other. Go for the slow-roasted chestnuts– plump and bursting at the seams, smoky from being tossed in the searing-hot cinders. Healthy and substantial, these chestnuts will keep your hands warm and your bellies full as you make your way through the chilly streets in fall.

19. Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork

If there’s one dish that reminds all Hong Kongers of their childhood, it would be sweet and sour pork. This Cantonese classic can be found in Chinese restaurants across the globe but we are adamant that the best can only be found in Hong Kong. Our hearts start fluttering when we see our first love, impossibly crisp and fresh from the fryer, coated liberally in a sweet and tangy sauce, and plated alongside juicy chunks of pineapple, bell peppers and onions.

We want to welcome you back to Hong Kong after a long separation! Hope you get to try these 19 must-eat foods in Hong Kong in 2023! When in doubt where to go, eat your way through Hong Kong with us on one of our Foodie Tours to try some of them! Currently, our Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour and Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour are running. Check out our calendar and join us!

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Also known as Tuen Neen Fan (團年飯) or reunion dinner, this feast is eaten the night before the first day of the Chinese New Year, and is when the entire family gathers to conclude the year together before a new beginning. The Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner plays a significant role in Chinese culture, and is one of the traditional events Chinese communities worldwide look forward to most.

However, Chinese New Year’s Eve is going to look quite different this year. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the globe, Chinese families will likely have to cancel Tuen Neen Fan plans for the sake of keeping their loved ones and communities safe. Still, the spirit of reunion lives on, even if it’s over a Zoom group call.

Be a part of embracing the spirit of reunion by learning about the symbolism behind the dishes served at Tuen Neen Fan. Besides chicken, fish, and tongyuen (glutinous rice dumplings), which are also eaten at Chinese Winter Solstice Dinners, here are a few of the most widely-eaten dishes at Chinese New Year’s Eve dinners.

Braised mushrooms, dried scallops with black moss and lettuce.

1. Prawns

Chinese families love having prawns at their Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner because prawns symbolize laughter and happiness (the Chinese word for prawns (蝦) is pronounced ha in Cantonese). For festivities, the bigger the prawns, the better. Think tiger prawns stir-fried in soy sauce and chopped spring onions, or even tossed in rich, buttery salted egg-yolk.

2. Pig’s trotters

Serving pig’s trotters are believed to bring wealth to families as the Chinese term for pig’s trotters represents a lucky saying (橫財就手) that wishes people good fortune. Whole pig’s trotters are cut into smaller chunks and stewed in savory sauces, often with mushrooms or lotus root. The chunks are absolutely delicious when done well, sticky and gelatinous and tender– the perfect accompaniment to a warm bowl of rice.

3. Black moss

If you ever attend a Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner, it’s highly likely that you will be served a brown-hued stew of funny-looking ingredients, including one that looks like a mass of thin, black hair. This ingredient is actually black moss, which is found in the Gobi desert and often mistaken as a form of seaweed. Named fat choi (髮菜) in Chinese, its name is homophonic with the phrase fat choi (發財), which means making a fortune.

4. Dried oysters

Dried oysters are named ho see in Chinese (蠔豉), which sounds very similar to the phrase for good business (好事, pronounced ho see as well). These little morsels are small but pack a punch. Usually thrown into stews with black moss, they add a lot of umami and a delicious brininess to any dish.

5. Lettuce

Lettuce is often tucked under the black moss and dried oyster stew, soaking up all the yummy goodness and adding texture to the dish. The Chinese name for lettuce is sang choi (生菜), which sounds like the phrase for making money (生財), and is therefore served at Chinese New Year dinner for good fortune in the new year ahead.

Celebrate the coming Year of the Ox by making your own Black moss and dried oyster stew! A big feast might not be possible at your Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner in 2021, but you can still make these dishes for those who live with you. Here’s to a brighter, healthier Chinese New Year ahead!

The post Chinese New Year’s Eve Dinner (Tuen Neen Fan) appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

1. Hot Pot

If you are like us and prefer steaming hot food, hot pot is a great way to ensure everything still has steam on your plate or bowl in this weather. Dip fresh seafood like prawns and scallops, or wagyu beef and fresh chicken in a soup base like hot and spicy broth, and your body will surely feel warmed up. What’s even better is you can mix your own concoction of dipping sauce from a selection of sauces and garnishes like peanut sauce, soy sauce, XO sauce, sesame oil, fresh chili and garlic, cilantro and spring onions.

2. Snake Soup

If you have joined our Tai Po Market Foodie Tour, you will have tasted snake soup. Chinese believe snake soup increases circulation, thus keeping your body warm. If you are adventurous enough, ask for a glass of snake wine which heats up your body even faster.

Find out more about how snake soup warms up your body here!

3. Cantonese Lamb Stew

Another favorite Hong Kong winter dish is Cantonese lamb stew, also known as Cantonese braised lamb or lamb pot. The interesting thing is that despite being often called “lamb stew” in English, the meat used most often in Hong Kong is actually goat! This stew is often it is served in a clay pot, cooked with bean curd sheets, mushrooms and more in a savory sauce. The pot sits on a hot plate and bubbles while you eat, ensuring everything remains hot!

4. Claypot Rice

And finally, we must mention our favorite among all four Hong Kong winter dishes. You can easily have a complete meal with just claypot rice. From spare ribs to chicken or even frog, you can choose from a variety of toppings to be cooked with your rice. The most common type is preserved Chinese sausages (lap cheong) and meat. The best part, we think, is the golden, crispy rice stuck to the bottom of the pot!

You can actually recreate this delicious winter dish at home! Find out how to make claypot rice with our recipe.

We hope these four Hong Kong winter dishes will keep Winter Foodies warm and take away some of your shivers during the cold days in the week ahead! Enjoy and stay toasty warm!

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Food is seen as a form of medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). What we eat serves to harmonize our bodies, minds, and spirits. Ancient Chinese medical practitioners discovered that our dietary requirements change with the seasons, as our bodies’ needs differ depending on the weather and climate.

In fall, the cool and dry weather affects our lungs the most, as it is the uppermost organ and especially vulnerable to the wind and cold. If you’ve been coughing, wheezing, or experiencing a sore throat more often than usual during fall, it may be due to weakening lungs. To make sure your lungs and body are at their healthiest despite the autumn weather, check out our list of 10 foods to eat in fall.

1. Snake soup

As a Cantonese saying goes, “When the autumn wind rises, three snakes fatten up.” (秋風起，三蛇肥。) People in Southeast China, in which Hong Kong is located, love having snake soup in fall. One of the reasons is that this thousand-year-old Chinese delicacy is considered a remedy for migraines and arthritis caused by the damp wind from the southern Chinese coast. Another reason is that snakes tend to before hibernation, so they’re at their most nutritious during fall and winter.

If you find your hands and feet getting cold often during the cooler months, snake soup might be just what you need. According to traditional Chinese medicine, snake soup is a “hot” food. “Hot” foods warm the body, helping you fight the winter chills. Chinese medical practitioners also recommend snake soup for the weak and anemic as it boosts energy and improves blood circulation. This is why snake soup isn’t eaten during spring or summer– it is too warm and intense for the body during those warmer months.

Most people say snake meat tastes like chicken, but that’s up to you to decide! Want to judge for yourself? You can try snake soup at a classic snake shop on our Tai Po Market Foodie Tour, now available for private booking upon request! Don’t have enough time to venture to the suburbs of Hong Kong? We can also arrange a Private Foodie Tour in Central where we can visit a 180-year-old snake restaurant as part of our customized private food tour in Hong Kong. For more details, simply send us an email at tickets@hongkongfoodietours.com or WhatsApp us at +852 9223 7466.

2. Snow fungus

Also known as snow ear or white fungus, the snow fungus is virtually tasteless. It is often used in soups for its many health benefits and silky, crunchy texture. This delicate fungus is a fantastic food to eat in fall because it nourishes and hydrates the body – the skin especially.

East Asian women have long consumed snow fungus for the wonders it does for the skin. As far back as the Tang dynasty, concubine Yang Guifei (713 – 756 CE) – one of China’s famed four great beauties — is said to have credited this miracle mushroom with maintaining her youthful looks. Hate how the dry autumn breeze dehydrates your skin? Snow fungus helps to boost skin hydration when eaten or applied topically, keeping wrinkles at bay. It has even acquired quite the buzz in the Western world these days, popping up as an active ingredient in new skincare products such as Moon Juice’s Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly Serum.

3. Persimmon

Persimmons are incredibly popular among east Asian communities in fall. You will see them at every Chinese family’s dining table when the Mid Autumn Festival comes around, as the fruit is in season and symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Persimmons are also popular around fall because they offer benefits much needed to combat the cool and dry weather. These shiny orange globes of sweetness moisturize the lungs, relieve coughs, and promote the production of body fluids, helping to keep our bodies hydrated despite the weather.

But what is the Mid Autumn Festival? Find out more about this ancient Chinese harvest festival here!

4. Pomelo

Pomelos are another fruit often eaten during the Mid Autumn Festival. Chinese families love carving open a plump pomelo after the Mid Autumn Festival dinner and sharing the lustrous segments with everyone in the family. Coincidentally, fall is peak pomelo season, meaning that pomelos are at their sweetest and juiciest at this time of the year. Pomelos are also a great fruit to eat in fall because they help to nourish the lungs, relieve coughs, and hydrate our bodies during the drier months.

5. Apple

Traditional Chinese Medicine stands by the practice of eating with the seasons. With fall being peak apple season, apples are at their best during these few months. 

Fall is also the season when the humidity begins to drop. To help fight the effects of dryness on our bodies, our diets need to assist the production of body fluids and their lubrication effects for our bodies. The tartness of apples stimulate the production of fluids, helping to moisten and nourish the lungs.

A popular Chinese remedy for the autumn dryness is a soup made with apples, pears, pork, and snow fungus. We ourselves also love this soup for its fruity and comforting sweetness.

6. Pear

Besides apples, pears are also a popular choice in TCM to lubricate the lungs in fall. Pears are considered a cooling food, helping to dissolve phlegm and relieve coughs. A popular Chinese remedy for coughs is braised pears with rock sugar, which is said to nourish the lungs and the respiratory system. However, as pears are cool in nature, Chinese medical practitioners believe that the elderly should refrain from eating too much of them.

7. Eggplant

An ancient Chinese proverb says, “Sow eggplants at the start of summer, and eat them at the start of fall.” (立夏栽茄子，立秋吃茄子。) As the beginning of fall tends to be hot and dry, eggplants are a perfect remedy as its cooling properties help our bodies fight the dry heat. What’s more– eggplants harvested in fall are also said to be sweeter and more tender!

8. Lily bulb

You might plant lily bulbs for their stunning flowers, but did you know that you could eat them too? Lily bulbs offer tremendous health benefits when used in soups and stir fries. Highly regarded in TCM, this ingredient retains hydration in the body, calms the nerves, nourishes the lungs and relieves coughs. Try some this fall to soothe the effects of the dry autumn weather!

9. Lotus root

According to TCM, lotus root helps to hydrate the body, improve digestion, and nourish the lungs. Despite being available all year round, the lotus root season is actually in fall, so seize your chance to grab some while they’re still at their peak!

10. Honey

There is no question about the wonders of honey. Humans have been using this anti-inflammatory, antioxidant miracle cure for its many benefits since ancient times. Traditional Chinese medicine also touts the advantages of honey, especially to combat the autumn dryness. This liquid gold aids digestion, nourishes the lungs, relieves coughs and much more, making it one of the best foods to eat in fall.

Now that you’re an expert on what to eat in fall, check out our blog post on what to eat in winter according to traditional Chinese medicine!

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You know where to find craft beer in Hong Kong, but did you know about the interesting flavors with which Hong Kong’s local brewers have blessed our city? We have rounded up some of the most unique beers the Hong Kong craft beer scene has to offer in this list. All our selections are brewed in Hong Kong, by breweries started right here in the 852.

1.   S.E.A. Sour from Yardley Brothers

A limited edition Hong Kong craft beer recently launched in July 2020, S.E.A. Sour is Yardley Brothers’ newest creation. This experimental sour beer is brewed using the fermentation style of jiuniang rice dessert, giving it a unique, funky pineapple note and a rich dose of umami. For a bit of fun, the Yardley Brothers have buried three real treasure chests on Lamma Island, and the map can be found on the underside of each bottle’s label! Join the scavenger hunt by visiting the Yardley Brothers Beer Shack on Lamma Island to grab a bottle of S.E.A. Sour and a map to the Three Lost Treasures of McYardley.

2.  Little Rich Lupulins from Carbon Brews

Known for their IPAs, Carbon Brews has recently released Little Rich Lupulins v.6 this August, a hazy IPA bursting with juicy, tropical hop flavors, balanced by a pithy bitterness. This is the sixth version of Little Rich Lupulins, the little brother of their more decadent brew Crazy Rich Lupulins. To showcase their ideas, Carbon Brews releases a new version of Little Rich Lupulins every season, so if you’re hoping to try out the current version, you better be quick!

Carbon Brews beers can be found at numerous stores across Hong Kong, but if the coronavirus has left you reluctant to leave the comforts of your own home, you can also get their beers delivered to your doorstep. Order on Owlsome Bottles, where you will receive free delivery for orders over HK$400.

What’s more – the team at Carbon Brews holds live virtual tastings on Facebook every now and then! To find out when the virtual tastings are held, check their Facebook page for the latest updates.

3. Doppelbock by H.K. Lovecraft

This Tsing Yi-based brewery’s Doppelbock offers notes of burnt honey and a peppery zing, resulting in a rich-tasting lager that feels like a cold, misty dawn in an autumn forest. This lager also offers a higher alcohol content than your average beer, at 8%.

Order now and you can get 15% off all beers by ordering on H.K. Lovecraft’s online shop, plus free shipping on purchases of just over HK$400!

4.   Sugarcane Stout from Mak’s Beer

Founded in 2014 by three young Hong Kongers, Mak’s Beer prides themselves on using locally grown ingredients in creating their Hong Kong craft beer. We find their unique Sugarcane Stout to almost taste like an IPA. It is hoppy, with aromas of deeply roasted malt, burnt caramel, chocolate, yeast, and the subtle fragrance of sugarcane.

Wait… but what does sugarcane even taste like? Try sugarcane juice on our Central & Sheung Wan Foodie Tour to get a taste of this clean, refreshingly sweet drink!

Shop Mak’s Beer online here!

5.   HEA CBD Beer from Young Master Brewery

Infused with 60mg of pure CBD isolate per liter, Young Master Brewery’s newest series of beers was brewed to offer better balance in both your mental and physical states. Named HEA, after the Cantonese slang which means “to chill” or “to kill time”, this series is an elegant and versatile pale ale designed for every occasion.

Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a safe and natural compound extracted from the hemp plant. It has been reported to offer a wide variety of wellness benefits, from reducing anxiety to relieving back pain. Although CBD is one of the hundreds of components in marijuana, it is not psychoactive, meaning that it will not get you high. Grab a pack of HEA CBD beers from the Young Master online shop to get a taste of the many benefits yourself!

6.   Squeeze the Day from Black Kite Brewery

Squeeze the Day, Black Kite Brewery’s newest limited edition release, is the perfect companion to Hong Kong classics like lemon chicken and sweet and sour pork. This light and refreshing hefeweizen pours hazy orange, with hints of citrus peel and tangelo. 

When brewing this beer, Black Kite Brewery had a goal of creating something similar to their ex-core wheat beer, but with a refreshing twist – nothing too much to distract from the classic banana and clove of a good Hefe, and just enough citrus to make it feel like you’ve put a slice of lemon (or tangelo) into it. The end result is a wonderfully balanced brew, reminiscent of marmalade and fantastic with Cantonese food.

Get this beer at The Globe in SoHo, Tramline Liquor Co in Kennedy Town, BestBevhk.com, mangostore.co, or through Black Kite Brewery directly by emailing beer@blackkite.hk!

7.   Zhong Kui Imperial Stout from Moonzen Brewery

Moonzen Brewery serves up a variety of quirky craft beers inspired by Chinese folklore and Hong Kong culture, and their newest addition is no exception. Released just in time for the Hungry Ghost Festival on 2 September, their Zhong Kui Imperial Stout offers flavors that resemble the essence of 80,000 demons, captured by the legendary demon hunter Zhong Kui. With notes of espresso, chocolate, molasses, and marshmallow, brought to you in an extremely cool Ghost Festival-inspired bottle, this stout is definitely one of the most interesting Hong Kong craft beer in the city.

Buy Moonzen Brewery beers online here!

8.  This Town Needs Beer by Heroes Beer Co.

This Town Needs Beer is a jasmine summer ale created in collaboration with This Town Needs, a Hong Kong independent live music venue that sadly closed down earlier this year because of the coronavirus. Specifically designed to help you get through Hong Kong’s notoriously hot and humid summers, this brew is combines a sweet, rich jasmine aroma with tangerine and lychee fruitiness from hops. This Town Needs might’ve closed down, but you’ll still be able to experience the essence of live indie music by sipping on this beer!

Get beers from Heroes Beer Co. delivered to your door by ordering from their online store! You will even receive free shipping on orders over HK$200.

Want to dive deeper into Hong Kong’s craft beer scene? You can tour local breweries, chat with brewers, and savor an array of beers made right here in the city on our Hong Kong Local Craft Beer Tour! Email us at info@hongkongfoodietours.com for more information on private bookings. Our tours are run in full compliance with social distancing and group gathering laws set forth by the Hong Kong government.

The post 8 Interesting Hong Kong Craft Beer to Try in 2020 appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

Most westerners anticipate sweet and sticky confections when they hear the word cake or pudding, so it will come as a bit of a shock to find that not all Chinese New Year Puddings are sweet, and some of the favorite “cakes” are savory dim-sum type foods, with just an element of sweetness. Let’s have a closer look at some of the Chinese New Year puddings you can expect to find in restaurants across Hong Kong and in Chinatowns worldwide.

1. Nin Gou

This is probably the most definitive Chinese New Year Cake (and this one is a “proper” cake by western standards, featuring plenty of sugar and no savory elements). The cake is a delicious mixture of glutinous rice flour, corn flour, sugar and coconut milk which is steamed in a wok (or steaming oven) and then decorated with dried dates and sesame seeds. The cake is traditionally left to firm up for a few days and then sliced, dipped in beaten egg and fried in a pan to produce a delicious crispy crust. Of course, if you just can’t wait you can eat it straight from the steamer!

2. Turnip Pudding 

Popular year round, turnip pudding is made using grated Chinese white turnip (diakon), rice and wheat flours, Chinese dried sausage and seasonings. The “cake” is steamed in a cake tin in the wok or a steamer oven and then cooled for several hours before being sliced and fried on both sides until crispy. It is delicious served with sweet chili sauce, XO sauce or just a drop of soy sauce.

3. Water Chestnut Cake

Although it is widely available as a sweet dim sum all year round, when the Lunar New Year approaches many of us like to make our own home-made version as part of the festivities. Once again it is a sweet steamed cake made with water chestnut flour, corn flour, sugar, water and fresh or canned water chestnuts. This is a fragrant and delicate cake that can be sliced and served warm or cooled and then lightly fried.

4. Taro Cake

Another pudding which is also eaten all year round, it is very popular at Chinese New Year. This delicious savory “cake” is made with taro yams, dried shitake mushrooms and Chinese dried sausages. It is seasoned with dried shrimp, five-spice powder and a little chicken stock and then steamed in the wok or steamer oven and served hot. If you have any left-over cake (unlikely!) you can slice it and fry for a delicious snack.

5. Dates Pudding

It is a sweet Chinese New Year treat made with Chinese red dates (aka jujubes) and chestnut flour. It is also steamed and served sliced, garnished with a red date.

A big bonus is that most of these delicious Chinese New Year treats contain no wheat flour and are suitable for people on a gluten-free diet.

Celebrate and let your bellies be filled with lots of delicious food. Hong Kong Foodie wishes everyone a healthy and happy Year of the Rat!

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1. Cuore Private Chef

If you are looking for a unique and exclusive private kitchen experience in Hong Kong, look no further than Cuore. Originally from Milan, Andrea Oschetti quit his corporate job to pursue his many passions, one of which is serving up great, authentic Italian food in his unique and homey private loft in Yally Industrial Building. The seasonal menu usually features a four-course dinner, with ingredients freshly flown in from Italy. The home-style cooking is anchored in traditions. For the Italian wine lovers, you can also select a great bottle or two here as well. Andrea not only welcomes his guests with open arms, as you savor his carefully prepared dishes, he will likely draw you into a mesmerizing conversation, often around tales from his extensive travel — his other passion. Reservations is a must as Andrea only hosts dinner three times a week, six months a year. www.cuoreprivatechef.com.

2. Elephant Grounds 

Elephant Grounds is no stranger to coffee lovers in Hong Kong. First starting out as a kiosk in a WOAW store in Sheung Wan, in 2015 it expanded to a second location in a much larger space at The Factory at 1 Yip Fat Street, just steps away from the new Wong Chuk Hang station. Spacious yet cozy, this hipster coffee hangout offers a friendly environment for those searching for the perfect brew. With beans sourced from small farm producers worldwide, Elephant Grounds only roasts beans locally to ensure fresh tastes and flavors. Aside from the aromatic coffee, you can also order tasty pasta dishes and sandwiches for lunch. Make sure to save room for some dessert; you cannot miss their ice-cream sandwiches. www.elephantgrounds.com.

3. 3/3rds

Not just another cafe, 3/3rds is a gem hidden on the top floor of Yally Industrial Building. Started by three food and design enthusiasts who are inspired to serve simple yet tasty and fresh bites and meals. The relaxing environment and friendly atmosphere provides a great hangout for entrepreneurs in the neighborhood to share ideas or buddies to catch up. It’s also the perfect hideaway for those who want to indulge in some wholesome food and chill out with a book on a weekend afternoon. Their thin crust pizzas offer some of the lightest and crunchiest pizza base in town, leaving room to for the toppings to shine. For the health-conscious, select from a variety of freshly made soups and salads. French pastries and home-made desserts are also available. Check out their rooftop garden. You can even book it for a private BBQ party. www.three-3rds.com.

Three 3rd Ox Tongue Hash

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This year, our menu included items not typically served as a Chinese Year-End dinner. Hong Kong Foodie thought we would share with our Foodie Friends our sumptuous dinner in order to make you salivate!

To start, we tasted some vegetarian “goose” as appetizer (see photo above).  A great vegetarian option, mushroom and other veggie fillings are wrapped with this bean curd sheet and fried. Dip this in some worcestershire sauce and you will want to close your eyes to savor the taste.

Next came a beautiful plate of lightly sautéed scallops with sugar snap peas. Everything was not one second overcooked and you could still taste the freshness of all the ingredients.

Scallops with Sugar Snap Peas

Of course, we must have some fish for every Chinese festive dinner. However, tonight we are not having a whole steamed fish. Instead, we are served steamed fish giant grouper (龍躉) fillet with wood ear, which is a type of edible fungus. A special sauce, slightly sweet, slightly tangy, was drizzled on top.

Fish Fillet with Wood Ear

Next came a dish which takes time to prepare — Abalone, Goose Feet and Bak Choy. Abalone is a delicacy often eaten during Chinese New Year. It is often braised with goose feet with rich flavors.

Abalone, Goose Feet and Bak Choy

Chicken is also a must-have for a Chinese celebration. Tonight, the crispy chicken was lip smacking good. Tender meat, crispy skin and incredible flavors! Can we have another one?

Crispy Chicken

Pea pod leaves are some of our favorite vegetables in the winter time. So simple, yet delicious.

Pea Pod Leaves

Of course, we must have a rice dish. Although not necessarily a traditional rice dish for a reunion dinner, we decided to go with seafood rice wrapped in lotus leaf. Since the rice is steamed inside a lotus leaf, if not cooked well, the rice can be too sticky but this was just perfect, not too dry and not too moist.

Rice Wrapped in Lotus Leaf

As if our bellies are not stuffed by now, we had three desserts. Tang Yuan (湯圓) or glutinuous rice balls are a must. You can read more about it on our previous post. In addition, we also had red date pudding and also another soup — white fungus (or snow ear fungus), red date and pawpaw fruit (萬壽果) soup. For those who have been to our Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour, you have probably seen what uncooked white fungus or snow ear fungus looks like. This soup is often consumed in the dryer months as the white fungus is believed to be able to nourish your body, chase away coughs and soothe lungs. Many also believe that it will help keep your skin radiant and young.

White Fungus, Red Date and Pawpaw Soup

With that, we wave goodbye to the Year of the Horse and prepare to welcome the Year of the Goat! Look for more New Year’s celebrations on our Facebook page or follow our Tweets!

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