Dragon Boat Festival at Yauatcha Bangalore celebrates the food and happiness from China!
The Dragon Boat festival is a traditional holiday that has its origins in China 2000 years ago, it is celebrated with lots of food (surprise), wine and being merry in China, Hong Kong and to an extent, in Taiwan. Yauatcha is celebrating the festival by serving traditional food since they can’t be organizing dragon boat races in Bangalore.
Zongzi, a parcel made of sticky rice & meat (or veggies), wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed, is a traditional food served during the festival. There is an interesting tale around why is Zongi served during that time. Legend goes that these were the parcel of rice thrown in the water so that fish do not destroy King Qu Yuan’s body while the fishermen took out their boats to race and find it (Read more here)
Yauatcha has a range of six zongzi with fillings ranging from Edamame and Vegetarian Duck, Asparagus, Lamb and Pine nuts, Pork Belly and Shitake Mushrooms and Chicken among others. We tried all of it and my favorite that day were Pork Belly and Shitake Mushrooms followed by the one with Asparagus.
I had gone tasting with a few friends and though we loved the Zongi and thought it was pretty authentic, I don’t think I can do a complete meal out of it. So after trying and feeling the overdose of sticky rice we did order a couple of dishes from the main course. I suggest when you check out the food, do the same. Experience Zongi and club it with some items of the regular menu because the Zongi is indeed good and is being served till 30th June, 2016.
They also have a cocktail to go with the food, Citrus Spritz cocktail, made with vodka, dry vermouth, lime and white wine. It is a nice summery drink if you are going in the afternoon. but if it is dinner I would probably order something else.
We finished the meal with the festival special dessert “wine-soaked Water Chestnut with Mango Cake, served alongside a Sauvignon sorbet”, which looked breathtakingly pretty, and had light flavors and textures that usually represent Asian desserts. The sorbet was the best part on the plate for me.
The dragon boat festival is available till 30th June, 2016 as a ala carte menu. Go try it since I don’t know if we will get Zongi otherwise in Bangalore.
Disclaimer : Pictures in the post are not taken by me but shared the Yauatcha, however the food looked equally pretty that day 🙂
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