The Lunar Chinese New Year is nearly upon us! Are you ready for the Year of the Tiger? In China, the mighty feline has always been viewed as an animal of strength and power; it bodes well for the year ahead. And on the Chinese New Year, one of the most important festivals, there’s no better way to mark the occasion than with good food — and lots of it.
Turnip puddings (also called radish cakes) are traditional Chinese dim sum snacks, commonly served in Cantonese yum cha. Don’t underestimate the immortal energy of this small dish: Their name in Cantonese (“leen-goh” or “Loh Bak Goh”) is a homophone for “year higher”, ushering in new heights of prosperity for the coming year. Naturally, it’s a favourite during Chinese New Year to ensure good tidings for the days and months ahead.
To celebrate new beginnings and a new year, we’ve compiled the best CNY pudding offerings for you and your loved ones to properly welcome the Year of the Tiger.
Where to get the Best Chinese New Year Puddings in Hong Kong
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Tucked away at The Peninsula, one-star Cantonese establishment Spring Moon crafts a recipe close to tradition for Chinese New Year puddings. Most notably, the red date pudding which has become a Spring Moon signature every lunar holiday. This year, Spring Moon recreates the beloved red date pudding (HK$388) with a coconut filling, served among other traditional stalwarts: New Year pudding (HK$368), Water Chestnut (HK$368), Taro (HK$368) and Turnip (HK$368). What’s also worth nothing is the pudding’s ornate packaging — a reflection of the art deco-inspired interiors within the restaurant.
The Peninsula Hong Kong, 22 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2920 2888
Duddell’s
Keep with tradition and go with Duddell’s selection of Chinese New Year puddings that come in a trio of classic favourite flavours: Turnip Pudding (HK$348), Taro Pudding (HK$348) and New Year Pudding (HK$298). For the Year of the Tiger, the puddings will be delivered in a specially designed gift box, created in collaboration with G.O.D. (Goods of Desire) with an ornate hand-drawn pattern typically embellished upon Chinese teacups and soup bowls as a nod to traditional Hong Kong heritage.
Duddell’s, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2525 9191
KiKi Noodle Bar
Tired of Cantonese turnip cakes? Try a Taiwanese offering at KiKi Noodle Bar / KiKi Tea in two different styles, sweet and savoury. The sweet KiKi Taiwan Dried Longan and Brown Sugar Pudding (HK$118 / Early Bird: HK$108) is produced by an ancient roasting technique — all the sweet taste comes from the Taiwan dark brown sugar, free of artificial colouring and considered much healthier than traditional cane sugar. The savoury KiKi Taiwan Dried Sakura Shrimp Turnip Pudding (HK$118 / Early Bird: HK$108) is crafted from a trio of prized Asian ingredients: delicate sun-dried sakura shrimp from Taiwan, preserved local lean Chinese sausage and turnip. Plus, the special “Early Bird” offers are available for orders made between 15 December 2021 to 24 January 2022, with a combined festive offering of both sweet and savoury delicacies for HK$208 (normal price: HK$228).
KiKi Noodle Bar, various locations around Hong Kong
Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
Perhaps the most authentic offering this CNY, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel serves up three classic puddings from traditional recipes, including savoury Chinese Turnip Cake with Conpoy made from Chinese sausage and Jinhua ham, sweet Coconut Pudding with Gold Leaf decorated with golden leaf glutinous rice and coconut milk, and Water Chestnut Cake filled with crunchy water chestnut pieces. To echo the spirit of the Year of Tiger, each pudding is beautifully designed with a tiger’s face, symbolising power and vigor.
You can also taste homemade XO Chilli Sauce in the festive puddings package. Each gift box, including three puddings and the homemade sauce, is priced at HK$218 (Early Bird: HK$168 per box). If you are looking for a true-to-tradition version this holiday, you must taste the pudding offerings from Marco Polo HongKong Hotels.
Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, No. 3 Canton Road, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2118 7283
Man Wah
At Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Man Wah, executive Chinese chef Wing-Keung Wong and master Theresa Yiu (better known as Dashijie) have teamed up to create a delightful and delectable limited-edition Aged Tangerine Peel Turnip Cake (HK$468). 15-year-old dried tangerine peels sourced from Jiangmen and a tangy twist to the traditional recipe. Pan-friend and aromatic, they’ll be the perfect addition to your CNY festivities. The cake can be ordered from 7-28 January, with pickup from 7 January-6 February.
Man Wah, 25/F, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Rd Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2825 4003
Yat Tung Heen
One-Michelin-starred Yat Tung Heen, led by the celebrated Chef Tam Tung, brings back its sought-after signature Turnip Pudding (HK$238), classic Chinese New Year Pudding (HK$218) and Yat Tung Heen’s Signature Gift Box (HK$388 / Early Bird: 15% off) including housemade premium XO sauce, candied walnuts and hand-selected Ginseng Oolong tea leaves. To minimise the environmental impact of the gifting season, each pudding from Yat Tung Heen is thoughtfully packaged in a 100% recyclable eco-friendly paper box and fitted with an easy-to-carry handle. Decorated with a chic cloud and coin design, the sophisticated gifts are sure to usher in a prosperous Year of the Tiger.
Yat Tung Heen, Level B2, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2710 1093
The Peninsula Boutique & Café
One of the most representative and lovely traditional elements of the Year of Tiger is the tiger head. The tradition of young children wearing tiger head shoes and hats is still popular in contemporary China, which symbolises strength and good health. Inspired by Tiger head apparel, the Peninsula Boutique celebrates the new beginnings with the Robust Tiger Gift Set (HK$998) featuring an array of seasonal treats from cookies to candies, chocolate to tea, plus a premium embroidered gift box that can be hung as a delightful Chinese New Year decoration. Also included: a savoury turnip pudding filled with a whole South African abalone and The Peninsula’s signature XO chilli sauce have been added in the Chinese New Years Puddings (HK$208-HK$668) set this year. Finally, to complete each exquisite gift box, you get Pen Bear in a tiger costume! What’s not to love?
The Peninsula Boutique & Café, The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2696 6969
Ming Court
Located inside the artistic 5-star hotel Cordis Hong Kong, Michelin-starred Ming Court offers an array of festive treats to ring in the Lunar New Year. Executive Chef Li Yuet Faat prepared three auspicious puddings including the Coconut Chinese New Year Pudding (HK$268 / Early Bird: HK$228); Abalone, Conpoy, Air-Dried Preserved Meat & Turnip Pudding (HK$328 / Early Bird: HK$278) and Red Date & Coconut Pudding (HK$368 / Early Bird: HK$298). Ming Court’s elegant dining room offers an inviting space combining modern luxury and contemporary Chinese art, and your dining experience here will be the perfect complement to a new year.
Ming Court, Level 6, 555 Shanghai Street, Cordis, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3552 3301
Ying Jee Club
If you are a Cantonese pastry lover, prepare your appetite for two delectable homemade Chinese New Year puddings from two-Michelin-starred Ying Jee Club. In the spirit of the traditional new year diet, Ying Jee Club combined the savoury Turnip Pudding with Conpoy and Air Dried Meat (HK$298 per box) and sweet Coconut Milk Pudding with Red Bean and Ceylon Tea (HK$238 per box). Both are handcrafted daily by executive chef Siu Hin-Chi, who has amassed 20 Michelin stars over the past decade alone. In both texture and flavour, chef’s preservative-free puddings epitomise the highest standard of Cantonese cuisine.
Ying Jee Club, Shop G05, 107 & 108, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong, +852 2801 6882
Green Common
If you’ve gone the veggie or vegan route, you can still embrace the new year with plant-based and cruelty-free treats at Green Common. Using zero-cholesterol OmniPork Mince, this OmniPork Vegan XO Sauce Red Quinoa Turnip Cake (HK$138) combines radish and red quinoa for a light-yet-nutrition-packed alternative with Cantonese fare. The well-received Pumpkin Rice Cake with Red Quinoa, Turmeric & Oatmilk (HK$128) completes a time-honoured tradition with a modern and vegan twist, containing higher calcium content and low saturated fat — perfect to satisfy a sweet tooth this season.
Green Common, Unit 1006, 10/F, Capital Centre, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 6450 7605 (WhatsApp only)
Rosewood Hong Kong
In the spirit of giving, Rosewood Hong Kong’s Online Shop offers an array of Chinese New Year treats for gifting to clients, friends and family. Various options are available, including the Harvest Hamper (HK$9,988), Fortune Hamper (HK$3,388), Joy Hamper (HK$2,288) and Rosewood Chinese New Year Candy Box (HK$488), containing different items ranging from traditional puddings, homemade XO sauce, festive candies, afternoon tea sets and more. Also, for every hamper purchased, Rosewood will donate 5% of the proceeds to support ImpactHK and their work to support those experiencing homelessness in Hong Kong.
Place your orders from the Rosewood Hong Kong Online Shop here.
Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 3891 8732
Little Bao
In Chinese culture, red is a symbol of good luck. Using fresh beetroot to replace turnip, the natural bold red cake from Little Bao will light your festive spirit. Sourcing the best ingredients including Sam Hing Lung rose wine sausages, Japanese dried food, Thai dried shrimp and natural seasoning for extra-healthy eating, the Beetroot Turnip Cake (HK$268) perfectly echoes the good fortune of Chinese New Year.
Little Bao, 1-3 Shin Hing St, Central, Hong Kong, +852 6794 8414
Veggie Kingdom
Unlike many contemporary vegetarian restaurants, Veggie Kingdom opts for more natural ingredients, not mass-produced meat substitutes, to prepare four traditional festive puddings, including both sweet and savoury picks: Red Date Pudding (HK$168), Osmanthus Water Chestnut Cake (HK$108), Turnip Cake with Shiitake Mushrooms (HK$118) and Five-spice Taro Cake (HK$118). These delightful puddings are perfect to gift or share with your loved ones on this joyous occasion. Plus, from 1 January to 16 January 2022, early gift voucher purchasers can enjoy a 12% discount.
Veggie Kingdom, 7th Floor, V.i.p. Commercial Centre, 120 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2366 3233
Lead image courtesy of The Peninsula, featured image courtesy of Ming Court
Jingchuan Zhang
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