As Mid-Autumn Festival draws near, a traditional celebration of family reunions and the full harvest moon, restaurants and cafes across China are unveiling a wave of modern, innovative mooncakes. This year's offerings showcase a creative twist, blending contemporary tastes with classic elements.

Chef Li Xiang from Xin Ming Yuen restaurant in Beijing, brings a Mid-Autumn mooncake gift box crafted with classic designs, filled with delightful new flavors. Roasted preserved egg with red bean paste is one highlight that the pastry transitions from a crispy exterior to a chewy interior, with layers enveloping a soft-centered egg yolk.