Sweets

Red bean soup

This is a typical traditional Chinese dessert, many of which can be eaten like a soup. It is pleasantly sweet and relatively light. It can be served cold or hot, depending on the season.

Tofu pudding

Made with a soft tofu, this pudding is traditionally served with sweet ginger or clear syrup. It is now also commonly paired with red bean soup, coconut milk and a slew of other imaginative ingredients.

Tongyuen

A kind of sweet rice dumpling, tongyuen are often eaten at family gatherings during festivals as the name sounds like ‘family reunion’. The dumplings are made from glutinous rice flour and will have a sweet filling, such as sesame, peanut or sweet bean paste, and are served in a sweet soup, often made with sweet potato and ginger.

White fungus and pear soup

This is a popular winter treat. The ingredients are placed in a bowl which is then immersed in water in a larger container and stewed for several hours. The result is a warming and wholesome dessert. Many believe it helps nourish the skin.

Mango pudding

Mostly made using agar, fresh mangoes, evaporated milk and sugar, mango pudding is a mainstay of Hong Kong dessert menus. A fusion of Southeast Asian and local styles, mango pudding is served cold and has a light and creamy texture.

Durian creations

Hong Kong has taken durian — an import from Southeast Asia — and worked it into a myriad of combinations, including durian ice-cream, durian sorbet and durian slush drinks.