Eight Treasure Rice

Eight Treasure Rice (or Babaofan) is made with a rich variety of ingredients. It looks beautiful and tastes sweet, soft, and sticky. Its name means “treasures coming from all directions.” In Fujian, it is a common traditional dessert served during festivals, family gatherings, and banquets.

The key to Eight Treasure Rice lies in steaming the glutinous rice properly and matching it with the right fillings. Traditional fillings include red dates, lotus seeds, dried longan, candied dates, walnuts, raisins, and candied winter melon.

On New Year’s Eve, the whole family sits together and shares a bowl of Eight Treasure Rice. The soft rice aroma, smooth red bean paste, and the sweet-and-sour taste of preserved fruits blend in the mouth—this is the true flavor of the New Year.