Want to discovermoon cakes, the traditional pastries served during the Moon Festival? Known aszhong qiu jie in Chinese, tết trung thu in Vietnamese, andchūshū setsu in Japanese, this festival celebrates family reunions and the admiration of the moon at its peak.
These festivities are traditionally accompanied by the tasting of the famous moon cakes (yue bing or bánh nướng), and Paris, the cosmopolitan city par excellence, is of course full of great places to taste these cosmic delicacies!
The tradition of moon cakes dates back to the Tang dynasty. History tells us that they were used to secretly transmit the signal for the Han Chinese revolt against the Mongol Yuan dynasty, a significant event that led to the advent of the Ming dynasty. Coded messages were hidden inside thesepastries, which were reserved exclusively for the Han people.
Today, these pastries represent harmony and reunion, and this well-establishedbut modernized traditionis expressed through sweet or savory moon cakes in a variety of shapes and flavors. Traditionally filled with lotus cream, red bean paste, or a mixture of five nuts, they also come in ice cream and chocolate versions, as well asmochi, and are often accompanied by traditionaltea.
Although industrial versions are gaining ground, this selection favors artisanal production, to be enjoyed with loved ones, in keeping with tradition. Here are the best places to go!
@unreve, the sublime French-Asian café and tea room
@unreve, that's the name of the new coffee shop, tea room and pastry shop that has set up shop on Avenue Parmentier in the 11th district of Paris. Imagine a nice marriage between the best of coffee shops and Asian flavors and you are in the tone. [Read more]
T'Xuan: tea room, tea time and Chinese pastry shop in Paris
T'Xuan is a Chinese tearoom in Paris, offering you the chance to sample little-known specialties and gourmet pastries. For culinary adventurers and lovers of Asian flavors, here's your next favorite. [Read more]
La Pâtisserie de Saison, a sweet and savoury Chinese pastry shop in the 13th arrondissement
La Pâtisserie de Saison is one of the oldest Chinese pastry shops in the 13th arrondissement, located on the famous Avenue d'Ivry. Here, you can indulge in original banh mi, baos, filled puff pastries and soft rolls that oscillate between tradition and new flavors. [Read more]
Find the location of all these addresses by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article.
