Mooncakes re-imagined: The new kid on London's culinary block?

It's that time of year when mooncakes start creeping onto the shelves of some pastry shops across London.

Mooncakes are the traditional pastry of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China - and in recent years, they're beginning to make their mark here in the UK.

From hands-on workshops to a pop-up in Burlington Arcade - the heart of Britain's luxury retail - Londoners are getting a taste of how this centuries-old tradition is being re-imagined.

What is a mooncake?

A mooncake is a rich pastry eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of China's most important annual celebrations.

In Chinese culture, the moon carries deep symbolism. A full moon represents reunion, while a crescent moon signals parting and longing - a theme often celebrated in classical Chinese poetry.

The festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, usually in September or October, when the moon is at its brightest. Its origins are ancient, believed to date back over 1,000 years.

Across borders

As Chinese communities expand and interest in Chinese culture grows, workshops are appearing across London to give people a taste of mooncake-making.

Xi Home Dumplings Bay in East London has organized its first mooncake workshop. The manager says the goal is to bring traditional Chinese culture to the UK - but with a new twist for local taste buds.

"We want to bring the traditional culture here, but actually do something new that's more interesting. For example, today we're doing fillings like Oreo and Matcha. It's quite different from the traditional fillings - usually just dry fruits and salted egg yolk," said Steven Wang, Manager of Xi Home.

Traditional Chinese mooncakes vary by region: northern mooncakes are often sweeter, while southern versions feature rich fillings like lotus seed paste, red bean, or salted egg yolk. Modern innovations such as snowskin mooncakes, developed in Hong Kong in the 1980s, have also expanded the variety.

Lawyer Mindy Hauman, who tried making mooncakes from scratch for the first time at the workshop, says the festival has been gaining visibility in London.

"Especially around this time of year, there's more awareness, more shops selling different kinds of mooncakes. People are really interested in the new flavors that blend Eastern and Western influences," she said.

Seizing the market

Mooncake sales are seasonal, with China alone producing around 300,000 tonnes in 2024, according to the China Association of Bakery and Confectionery Industry.

Luxury brands are also joining the trend. The Peninsula, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Tiffany have all launched their own premium mooncakes.

This year, The Peninsula's mooncake pop-up occupies a prime spot in Burlington Arcade, a historic hub of luxury retail since the early 19^th century.

"Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival allows us to connect with the Chinese community globally, and also to welcome more Chinese visitors to Burlington Arcade. Every year we celebrate important festivals, such as Mid-Autumn and Chinese New Year," said Jing Wei, Head of China at Burlington Arcade.