In Chinese culture, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for gathering and thanksgiving, and it’s a pretty big deal. So much so that Hutong, on the 33rd floor of the Shard, decided to launch a special menu in celebration.
Head chef Bing Luo created seven dishes, including a delicate hot and sour octopus salad; seriously fiery but beautifully balanced Ma La baby cuttlefish loaded with chillies, Sichuan pepper and Chinese celery; beef tenderloin in Yuxiang sauce; stir-fried chicken with fresh chillies and preserved veggies; and seafood fried rice packed with salty dried fish and ginger, to form a colourful feast fit for any occasion.
It all ended with the most traditional part of the Mid-Autumn Festival…the mooncakes. Shared as a symbol of unity and traditionally made of a pastry case with bean paste and duck egg filling, they were given a contemporary Hutong twist using sticky rice and custard, taro and jasmine tea flavours.
[URIS id=72746]Throw in those Hutong cocktails and those epic views over London, and you’ve got yourself one spesh evening.
Level 33, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY
www.hutong.co.uk