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Move over, matcha — black sesame is Hong Kong’s hottest dessert trend! From traditional 黑芝麻糊 to speciality lattes and artisanal ice cream, discover our favourite black sesame treats…
Anyone who’s been to a traditional Hong Kong dessert shop will know the the comforting sweetness of 糖不甩 (tong bat lat, glutinous rice balls) and 黑芝麻糊 (hak zi maa wu, black sesame soup) — but have you tried the latest viral treats? Like last year’s matcha craze, this beloved flavour is having a major moment, popping up in everything from decadent mochi croissants to sweet rolls and ice cream. We’ve scoured the city’s cafes and bakeries to bring you the ultimate roundup of irresistible black sesame sweets, proving this classic ingredient is more delicious than ever!
Read More: Mad About Matcha — Hong Kong’s Best Matcha Spots
Heartwarming Sesame — Viral freshly ground sesame shop opens Tin Hau branch
The constant whir of stone mills at the entrance sets the scene for this Michelin-reccomended shop, a dedicated specialist in black sesame (it’s ground fresh daily!). Heartwarming Sesame is best known for its intensely flavoured sesame rolls and a decadent ice cream that captures the pure, creamy taste of sesame soup — here, even the cone is flavoured! Just be prepared for queues, particularly at it’s newest Tin Hau branch, as the hype around these fresh, house-made desserts is real!
Heartwarming Sesame Flagship, 23 Yu Chau Street, Prince Edward, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3795 6565
Heartwarming Sesame Tsuen Wan, 6 Wun Tung Street, Lo Tak Court, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong, 5191 8098
Heartwarming Sesame Tin Hau, 13-41 Electric Road, Tin Hau, 6503 1680, Instagram: @heartwarming_sesame
The Baker & The Bottleman — Lee Tung Avenue bakery’s signature black sesame croissant
The Baker & The Bottleman, a bakery from the team behind Michelin-starred Roganic, offers a standout pastry that masterfully blends Hong Kong flavuors with French technique: the Twice-Baked Black Sesame and Mochi Croissant. This creation starts with a classic croissant that is filled with a rich black sesame frangipane and soft, chewy mochi before being baked a second time for a satisfying crunch. The result? A flaky, oozy and rich treat, finished with a swirl of black sesame ganache and toasted seeds for a final touch!
The Baker & The Bottleman, Shops G14 & G15, F15A, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2386 8933, thebakerandthebottleman.hk
Hong Fa Herbal Tea (鴻發涼茶) — Traditional black sesame cake in Sham Shui Po
Tucked away on Pei Ho Street in Sham Shui Po, Hung Fat is a classic herbal tea shop that draws constant queues for its traditional Chinese pastries. Its most famous item is the Black Sesame Cake, priced at just $8! The cake is notably thick and sandwich-like, praised for its robust sesame and not-too-sweet flavour. Note that the shop operates primarily as a takeaway spot — but still be sure to arrive early, because the popular sesame cakes often sell out by the afternoon!
Hong Fa Herbal Tea (鴻發涼茶), 128 Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 5405 3460
Tokachi-Milky — K11 & Central dairy dessert shop’s black sesame series
Tokachi Milky, a dessert chain from Hokkaido, has launched a new black sesame series crafted with premium, hand-roasted Japanese sesame. The lineup features standout picks like the Black Sesame Mochi Puff, with a crispy shell, creamy sesame custard and mochi, and the Black Sesame Mochi Parfait, which layers Tokachi milk soft cream and mochi under rich black sesame sauce. The series also features a velvety Black Sesame Milk Pudding and a smooth Black Sesame Latte, made with quality Hokkaido milk!
Tokachi-Milky Central, 17 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, 6017 4026
Tokachi-Milky K11, Shop 008, G/F, K11 MUSEA, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Instagram: @tokachimilky
Little Sugar Dessert (小方糖甜品) — Local sweets chain across Hong Kong with sesame 糖不甩
For a classic take on a beloved dessert, Little Sugar Dessert across Hong Kong island and Kowloon is a reliable spot to try 糖不甩 (tong bat lat) — a traditional Cantonese dessert that features soft, chewy glutinous rice balls generously coated in a mix of crushed peanuts and sesame seeds, then finished with a sweet syrup. This is also a taste of Hong Kong tradition, often enjoyed for its symbolism of good luck and family.
Little Sugar Dessert (小方糖甜品), various locations across Hong Kong, Instagram: @sugar_desserts
Read More: The Best Egg Tarts In Hong Kong
Espresso Remedy — Sassy-favourite Sheung Wan cafe with sesame lattes
For a warming and nutty alternative to coffee, Espresso Remedy on Tai Ping Shan Street offers a stellar Sesame Oat Latte. The drink blends roasted black sesame with creamy oat milk, resulting in a rich, toasty flavour that isn’t too sweet. We’re not a huge fan of the price point (around $65, depending on size and temperature), but it’s a cosy, coffee-free specialty that highlights everything we love about black sesame.
Espresso Remedy, 22-24A Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, Instagram: @espressoremedy
Chau Kee 周記點心 — Sai Wan dim sum house’s famous ‘lava’ French toast
Chau Kee is famed for its legendary French toast overflowing from a gooey inside — and the rich black sesame version is a standout. The dish features French toast filled with liquid sesame sauce, then pan-fried until golden. While the wait can exceed 10 minutes, the result is dramatic and indulgent: slicing into the toast releases a flow of warm, nutty filling, which pairs perfectly with the slightly salty toast!
Chau Kee Dim Sum House (周記點心), Shop B2, Tung Lee Building, 1H Water Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 2559 2389
Chau Kee Dim Sum House (周記點心), 13 Lau Lai Street, North Point, Hong Kong, 2832 9968, www.dimsumlau.com
Read More: Where To Find The Best Yum Cha In Hong Kong
Main image courtesy of Sassy Media Group using images from respective dining establishments. Final image courtesy of Sift & Simmer.
