Sesame Paste Dessert (Zhi Ma Hu) + Topped with 3 Glutinous Rice Balls
Hong KongKai Kai Dessert
AI Overview
Zhīmahu (pinyin: zhīmáhú), is a traditional sweet dessert soup widely enjoyed in southern China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions of East Asia. Its main ingredient is black sesame, which is blended into a rich, aromatic paste, then combined with sugar and sometimes rice flour to achieve a smooth, thick texture. Often served warm, this dessert is known for its velvety consistency and nutty flavor. At popular establishments such as Kai Kai Dessert in Hong Kong, zhīmahu is often topped with three soft glutinous rice balls (tangyuan), a presentation that has become beloved among locals and visitors alike.
- Taste Rating
-
3.0/5
- Price
- 36 Hong Kong Dollar
- Meal Date
- 9/19/2024
- Food Travel Log
- In Hong Kong, try the classic Cantonese dessert Black Sesame Soup (Zhi Ma Hu)!
The sesame-infused soup is warm, mildly sweet, and silky smooth, perfect for sipping. The glutinous rice balls are delightfully chewy, and their sweet sesame paste filling adds a crunchy surprise as it slides down your throat.
This dessert is practically a drink!
I gulped down the soup. I gulped down the rice balls. And then, choking ensued. Gurgle, gurgle...
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview
Zhīmáhú (Sesame Paste Soup, Pinyin: zhīmáhú) is a traditional sesame dessert enjoyed in China and other East Asian regions, especially in Guangdong Province and Hong Kong. It is a warm dessert soup made from a rich black sesame paste base, to which sugar and water are added, and sometimes rice flour to create a thick consistency. Zhīmáhú is considered one of the representative "Tong Sui" (literally "sugar water"), a genre of Cantonese desserts. The zhīmáhú offered at the famous Hong Kong dessert shop Kai Kai Dessert is highly regarded by travelers and food enthusiasts both inside and outside Japan.History and Origins
Zhīmáhú traces its origins to southern China, particularly the Guangdong area, with records showing it was enjoyed as a type of "Tong Sui" among the people as early as the Qing dynasty. Sesame has long been valued for its nutritional benefits, rich aroma, and nourishing properties, and has been used in a variety of medicinal and dessert dishes. In Hong Kong, specialty dessert shops began to emerge in the 20th century, and zhīmáhú evolved into a widely popular signature sweet.Preparation and Characteristics
To make zhīmáhú, roasted black sesame seeds are ground into a paste and simmered with sugar, and occasionally with peanuts, cornstarch, rice flour, and water, resulting in a smooth and viscous texture. Unlike Japanese "goma-dofu" (sesame tofu), zhīmáhú is more fluid and soup-like, which is its biggest distinguishing feature. The sweetness is typically moderate, while the deep rich aroma and subtle bitterness of sesame, along with the gentle umami from roasted seeds, all blend together harmoniously.Shiratama Dumpling Topping
In Hong Kong and Guangdong, zhīmáhú is often served with shiratama dumplings ("tangyuan" / "baiyu wanzǐ") as a popular topping. It is common for the dumplings to be filled with dense sesame or peanut paste. Made from glutinous rice flour and boiled, these dumplings have a resilient texture and a smooth mouthfeel. When filled with sesame paste, the dumplings further amplify the sesame flavor in the mouth, creating a synergistic effect with the zhīmáhú soup. At Kai Kai Dessert, the standard style features three of these dumplings as a topping.Nutritional Values and Health Benefits
Black sesame is rich in vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, iron, and dietary fiber. It also contains antioxidant compounds such as sesamin and sesamolin, which have been associated with improved blood circulation, anti-aging, and skin-beautifying effects. The glutinous rice flour dumplings serve as a source of energy, making this dessert suitable as a late-night snack or a light meal in Hong Kong and southern China.Cultural Significance and Modern Developments
Zhīmáhú is popular not only in mainland China but also in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Chinatowns of Thailand, and is counted among the signature traditional desserts in Chinese-speaking regions. In Hong Kong, zhīmáhú can be found not only in old-fashioned dessert shops but also in modern cafés and dessert restaurants, where innovative arrangements and blends are increasingly common. While preserving its traditional recipes, zhīmáhú continues to evolve to suit contemporary tastes, maintaining broad support to this day.
