Mooncake Fillings
Mooncake fillings are the sweet or savory pastes encased in the thin, often golden-brown crust of traditional Chinese mooncakes. The most classic fillings are made from red bean paste or lotus seed paste, frequently enriched with a salted duck egg yolk to symbolize the full moon. These fillings are the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunion and harvest celebration.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Mooncake fillings are very high in carbohydrates and fats, with a dense, sweet profile. They primarily provide quick energy from sugars and fats, with minimal protein, and a single serving can easily exceed 400-500 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 115 kcal |
| Protein | 1.5 g |
| Carbs | 15 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
| Potassium | 40 mg |
| Calcium | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 25 mg |
| Vitamin A | 15 µg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.3 mg |
| Magnesium | 5 mg |
Per 1/8 of a standard 180g mooncake (22.5 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The round shape of the mooncake and its filling symbolizes completeness and reunion in Chinese culture. Nutritionally, the traditional use of salted egg yolk creates a unique sweet-savory contrast, representing the moon in the night sky.
