In 2020, Netflix’s Over the Moon introduced my family to the Mid-Autumn Festival; this year we had a taste of it in our very own New York City.
Lee Kum Kee and King’s Kitchen bring the spirit of the Mid-Autumn Festival to life through a limited-time menu at various locations. Traditionally, the Mid-Autumn Festival is the harvest moon festival celebrated in Chinese culture and by neighboring cultures across Asia. Specifically, a word central to the celebration is tuányuán, which means reunion. After all, the festival brings families together to share a meal and to appreciate the moon at its roundest and brightest.
To start, King’s Kitchen is a well-known and loved chain of restaurants found throughout New York City. On the other hand, Lee Kum Kee carries 138 years of experience bringing Chinese sauces and condiments to the world. Together, three curated dishes at King’s Kitchen bring culinary expertise and the mastery of Lee Kum Kee.
Photo Courtesy: Yvonne Lo PR
First, thumb-sized pan-fried buns ($9) are cooked to perfection and accompanied by various Lee Kum Kee dipping sauces. Next, the Claypot Rice ($13.50) is a favorite of the chain. Notably, it boasts a delicious rice crust at the bottom of the clay pot that will leave you digging for more. And last, but not least, is the Golden Beef and Mushroom dish ($23.50). A rich broth uses cashews and spices to bring out the tenderness and flavor of the beef. The aroma is inviting as the meat sizzles in the broth, displayed on a platter in front of you.
Photo Courtesy: Yvonne Lo PR
Each one of these dishes has components that are central to the Mid-Autumn Festival. For example, the buns, while individually made to perfection, carry a sense of togetherness on the inside. Additionally, the Claypot Rice is the perfect meal to share at the table. Multifaceted, the dish brings together various delicacies to create a specific harmony, just like family, which is central to the festival. Furthermore, Chinese tradition considers beef a strengthening food, and mushrooms are seen as a symbol for family togetherness. Ultimately, the Golden Beef and Mushroom dish brings them together to represent longevity for the family.
Photo Courtesy: Yvonne Lo PR
While dining, we got a chance to speak to Chef Wing Wu. The seasoned chef shared that the dish that took the most skill to bring to life was the Golden Beef and Mushroom. Well, the work and thought came through clearly; it was my family’s favorite. Wu also shared that this time of year was the equivalent of Thanksgiving in the United States. Indeed, this Festival is a special time to bring the family together in good spirits and with love.
Overall, the team at the Flushing King’s Kitchen was extremely welcoming. My two tiny critics (read: my preschooler and grade schooler) were fans. In fact, they called it “the best restaurant they have ever been to.” And considering how hard it is for them to eat at home, this is a very high rating.
Every year this Festival falls on the eighth month of the lunisolar calendar; this year it fell on Friday, September 25. However, if you missed it, don’t worry; this limited-time menu is available at select King’s Kitchen locations until Sept. 30.
