Asia Market proudly presents a range of sumptuous dessert alternatives that maintain a wonderful tradition of Chinese culinary indulgence.
These delicious Chinese pastries visually resemble the European Swiss Roll but are more closely related to the traditional Chinese squared red bean pastry.
They provide refreshing ways of enlivening the dessert experience while also offering a wonderful compliment to coffee and tea.
The rich history of Chinese dessert making stretches back millennia with the main ingredients divided primarily into three natural sources: grains, fruits and Chinese herbs. The ancient Chinese cultivated an unparalleled understanding of the forces of Chi and the energies of the human body and as a result sought to gather as much as possible from pure natural resources. This helps to explain the historical focus on natural ingredients in Chinese dishes as well as the depth and nuance of the understanding of the primary ingredients in dessert dishes such as sweet potato, lotus seed, rose petals, tea, taro, coconut, pomegranate, apple, pear, rice and wheat.
No.1 Tang Yuan / Glutinous Rice Ball (汤圆)
One of the most iconic and historically renowned desserts throughout mainland China is Tang Yuan (汤圆). This dessert stems from the Song Dynasty circa 960. It has the pleasing and calming appearance of a white ball served either with a warm soup or sweet syrup. It is made in a traditional way from glutinous rice and filled with a paste derived from different fruits with added nuts. The most popular traditional flavours are red bean paste or black sesame and mung bean. Originally Tang Yuan was a festival food used for sharing with friends and families at social events like Chinese New Year as well as the winter solstice festival. Its continued historical and symbolic association with family reunions enhance its popularity in China today. Many Chinese also like to consume it with or after alcohol as it is valued as a corrective to hangovers and stomach discomfort. This dessert can be bought in store in the frozen section.
No.2 Laopo bing / Wife Cake / Sweetheart Cake (老婆饼)
While you don’t have to have a Chinese wife to try Chinese wife cake, the legendary source of the name will certainly inspire the romantic in you. Laopo bing or wife cake is a translation from Lao Po in mandarin and is perhaps the signature pastry in Southern China and Hong Kong. Whilst the romantic legend of Laopo bing has faded in modern China, the delicate sweet paste and crispy pastry with mixed fruit and nuts is still widely enjoyed. This traditional pastry is distinguished by a flaky crust, while the crispy sensation melts away easily in the mouth. The fillings are made with red bean and lotus seeds and while sweet are not overly so. Irish traditional tea as well as coffee with soya milk both provides a perfect accompaniment to its smoothly satisfying taste.
This featured pastry is sold in Asia Market and delivered exclusively from China Town in London to Dublin fresh every Thursday and Friday morning. This dessert can be found in dessert section next to cash counter in store.
No.3 Chinese Swiss Roll
This refined and popular traditional dessert continues to impress even our most discerning customers and carries the coveted chefs’ recommendation from Asia Market. The Chinese Swiss roll tends to be less sweet and jarring and much softer than other sponge cakes. This traditional Chinese Style Swiss roll comes highly recommended to cake lovers, gourmands, dessert connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. If you want to reduce your sugar intake but love to enjoy a sponge cake snack or a rewarding nibble after work this Chinese style Swiss roll is well suited for your palate with a meltingly soft sensation garnished with lemon butter and chocolate mousse. Chinese Swiss Roll can also be found in dessert section next to cash counter.
The finest selections have been delivered in store right now, crab your coffee and friends, walk in.
