Hundreds of thousands. That’s the number of moon cakes festival organisers expect to be sold in the lead-up to and during this year’s Cabramatta Moon Festival, the popular food-loving festival that’s become a hallmark of western Sydney life over the past 18 years.
The September 4 festival, which celebrates the equinox - the day of the year when daylight and darkness are equal in length - is epitomised by the moon cake, little round pastries typically filled with either red bean or lotus seed paste. Traditionally, these are given as gifts to friends and relatives during the Moon Festival to signify a long, happy and prosperous life.
This year, the moon cakes will be made by local bakeries such as A1 Cake Shop and An Phat Bakery. Many grocery stores in the area also sell pre-packaged moon cakes in the lead-up to the festival, for people to gift to others on the day, as per custom.
Jackie Thai, a baker at A1 Cake Shop, says his shop has been making moon cakes for the festival for more than 10 years. This year, they’ll make at least 500, in flavours including black bean, taro, mung bean, lotus seed, coconut and even shark fin - which is savoury, rather than sweet. “We love the Moon Festival,” he says. “We’re Buddhists, so for us it’s a day to give out moon cakes and worship Buddha in the light of the new moon. The festival is great fun - so many people, from all over the community. We love it.”
Try making your own symbols of unity and long life with this moon cakes recipe.
There are plenty more food-loving highlights at the festival. My Kitchen Rules winners Tasia and Gracia Seger (aka “The Spice Sisters”) will appear, sharing family recipes for mi goreng omelettes and sesame prawn toast. It’s their first time at the festival and both are excited to try the rest of the food up for grabs. “I’ve heard so much about the food there, I can’t wait to give it a try,” says Gracia.
For sweet tooths, Sydney’s most popular dessert truck, Knafeh Bakery, will be pulling up and serving their famous knafeh, a semolina pudding with a crisp sugary lid (not unlike creme brulee).
Korean chef Heather Jeong - who you might remember from Korean Food Safari - will appear, too, showcasing Korean cooking techniques she’s learned from her 35 years in the business.
And finally, if you’ve got any room left - and you’re feeling game - you might want to enter the noodle or moon cake eating competitions. Winners will receive vouchers to Iron Chef Restaurant in Cabramatta. Food as a prize for eating? We’re down with that!
The Cabramatta Moon Festival is on Sunday, September 4 from 9am-8pm. Entry is free. Get more information here.
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