Dan Tat, a delectable egg custard native to the southern Chinese port city of Guangzhou, has a rich history. With the dessert first being seen in a department store as well as The Zhen Guang Restaurant, it quickly became a popular treat. Surprisingly, this food has Portuguese and English origins, where custard-based foods were quite beloved among the people of Europe. In spite of this, Dan Tat is a distinctively Chinese dish with its own unique qualities.

The introduction of Hong Kong and Macau into the Chinese sphere of influence then allowed a cultural swapping akin to the Columbian Exchange to occur. In order to fulfill a “Weekly Special” competition, the two aforementioned groups both independently came to similar conclusions on a special treat. Not only does Dan Tat include a gooey egg custard middle, but it also contains an outer rim of flaky, lard-based crusts.

This tasty snack’s name comes from the Cantonese word for egg, “Daan,” and the English term “tart.” Representing one way Southern China was a cultural melting pot, the use of lard is fabled to be because of its lower costs than that of butter in Hong Kong markets. This food may have been invented in 1923, though didn’t really pick up steam until the 1940s and 1950s, where many immigrants from mainland China moved in.

Freshman John Bee especially likes this treat and the story surrounding it.

“I really love the crispy, appetizing texture of the outside; it’s really sweet, and I’ve eaten it since childhood, so it reminds me of childhood,” he added. He appreciates the cultural place it holds in his heart. 

Freshman Rohan Thakur, not knowing much about it, is eager to learn more.

“Food is a really important part of cultures, so I can understand how Dan Tat is important to many, especially at AHS.” 

Dan Tat can be made in a variety of ways, depending on who is making them and what influences their cooking includes. A good base recipe to make this treat can be found here, and other add-ons can be included later on. These extra ingredients could be more egg to make a larger batch of custard, or a specially procured set of items to make an especially sweet or buttery custard.

The Dan Tat plays a vital role in Cantonese culture, with it serving as a cultural example of how great Chinese cuisine can be. It can be consumed practically anywhere and will remind many of home.

Photographic Courtesy of FLICKR.COM