Chinese cuisine is famous for its bold flavors, diverse regional styles, and rich food culture, but desserts often don’t get the spotlight they deserve. Unlike Western sweets that focus heavily on sugar and butter, Chinese desserts tend to be lighter, less sweet, and often made with natural ingredients like beans, fruits, rice, and herbs. From warm comfort desserts to refreshing icy treats, China offers a wide variety of sweets that reflect its long history and regional traditions. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 Chinese desserts you must try, whether you’re traveling to China, visiting a Chinese restaurant, or simply curious about global sweets.
1. Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)
Tangyuan is one of the most beloved traditional Chinese desserts, especially during festivals like the Lantern Festival and Winter Solstice. These soft, chewy glutinous rice balls are typically filled with sweet sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut butter filling. Served in a warm, lightly sweetened soup, tangyuan symbolizes family unity and togetherness in Chinese culture. The texture is smooth and stretchy, while the filling melts in your mouth, creating a perfect balance of softness and richness. Some modern versions also include matcha, chocolate, or fruit flavors, but the classic black sesame filling remains the favorite across China.
2. Mooncake
Mooncakes are iconic Chinese desserts most closely associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. These round pastries symbolize reunion and completeness and are traditionally shared among family and friends. A classic mooncake has a thin, soft crust with rich fillings such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste, jujube paste, or mixed nuts. Many traditional mooncakes also include salted egg yolks in the center, representing the full moon. Today, modern mooncakes come in creative flavors like ice cream, chocolate, green tea, and fruit, but traditional baked mooncakes remain the heart of this timeless Chinese dessert tradition.
3. Red Bean Soup (Hong Dou Tang)
Red bean soup is a simple yet comforting Chinese dessert enjoyed both hot and cold. Made from adzuki beans slowly simmered with sugar and sometimes dried tangerine peel, this dessert is smooth, mildly sweet, and deeply satisfying. In southern China, red bean soup often includes lotus seeds or tapioca pearls, adding texture and flavor. In northern regions, it may be thicker and closer to a porridge. Besides being delicious, red bean soup is also believed to have health benefits, such as improving digestion and warming the body during cold seasons.
4. Mango Pomelo Sago
Mango pomelo sago is a modern Chinese dessert that originated in Hong Kong and has become popular across China and Asia. This refreshing dessert combines sweet mango puree, juicy pomelo pulp, and chewy sago pearls, all mixed in creamy coconut milk or evaporated milk. The flavor is bright, fruity, and lightly sweet, making it perfect for hot summer days. Each spoonful delivers a mix of creamy, chewy, and juicy textures. Mango pomelo sago is now a staple dessert in Cantonese-style restaurants and dessert shops worldwide.
5. Egg Tarts (Dan Tat)
Egg tarts are one of the most famous Chinese bakery desserts, especially popular in Hong Kong and Macau. Influenced by Portuguese pastries, Chinese egg tarts feature a flaky or shortcrust pastry shell filled with smooth, lightly sweet egg custard. The custard is silky, creamy, and gently sweet rather than rich or heavy. Freshly baked egg tarts are best enjoyed warm, when the crust is crisp and the filling slightly wobbly. They are a favorite afternoon snack and are commonly found in Chinese bakeries around the world.
6. Osmanthus Jelly (Guihua Gao)
Osmanthus jelly is a fragrant and elegant Chinese dessert made from osmanthus flowers, sugar, and gelatin or agar. Osmanthus flowers have a naturally sweet, floral aroma that gives this dessert its unique flavor. The jelly is usually light golden in color, transparent, and delicately sweet. It is often served chilled and sometimes topped with honey, goji berries, or dried fruits. Popular in eastern and southern China, osmanthus jelly is especially enjoyed in autumn when osmanthus flowers are in bloom, making it both seasonal and deeply cultural.
7. Eight Treasure Rice (Ba Bao Fan)
Eight Treasure Rice is a traditional festive Chinese dessert made from sticky rice mixed with lard or oil, sugar, and a colorful variety of dried fruits and nuts. The “eight treasures” usually include red dates, lotus seeds, raisins, dried longan, red beans, walnuts, candied winter melon, and peanuts, though ingredients vary by region. The rice is steamed in a bowl and then flipped onto a plate, creating a dome-shaped dessert decorated with bright toppings. Sweet, rich, and filling, Eight Treasure Rice is commonly served during Chinese New Year and other celebrations.
8. Sesame Balls (Jian Dui)
Sesame balls, also known as jian dui, are deep-fried glutinous rice dough balls coated with sesame seeds. Inside, they are typically filled with sweet red bean paste or lotus seed paste. When fried, the dough puffs up, creating a crispy outer shell and a soft, chewy interior. The nutty flavor of toasted sesame seeds pairs perfectly with the mildly sweet filling. Sesame balls are a popular dim sum dessert and street food snack, enjoyed for their contrast of textures and satisfying bite.
9. Snow Skin Mooncakes
Snow skin mooncakes are a modern variation of traditional mooncakes and are especially popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China. Unlike baked mooncakes, snow skin mooncakes are not baked; instead, they are made from glutinous rice flour and served chilled. The skin is soft, slightly chewy, and often flavored with fruit or matcha. Fillings range from traditional lotus and red bean paste to modern flavors like mango, durian, chocolate, and ice cream. Their colorful appearance and refreshing taste make them a favorite among younger generations.
10. Douhua (Tofu Pudding)
Douhua, also known as tofu pudding or tofu flower, is a soft, silky dessert made from fresh soy milk that has been lightly set into a custard-like texture. In southern China, douhua is usually served sweet, topped with sugar syrup, ginger syrup, or brown sugar. In northern China, savory versions exist, but the sweet style is more popular as a dessert. The texture is extremely delicate, almost like cream, and it melts in your mouth. Douhua is both refreshing and nutritious, making it a favorite everyday dessert.
Conclusion
From chewy tangyuan and fragrant osmanthus jelly to creamy mango pomelo sago and silky tofu pudding, Chinese desserts offer a world of flavors, textures, and traditions. Each dessert reflects a piece of Chinese culture, whether it’s a festival favorite, a street food classic, or a modern twist on tradition. If you love discovering new foods, exploring the top 10 Chinese desserts is a delicious way to experience China’s rich culinary heritage one sweet bite at a time.