A Taste of the Moon: Dao Bistrot Celebrates the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in Rome
This autumn, Jianguo Shu's DAO Bistrot in Viale Jonio, Rome invites guests to discover the poetry of Chinese tradition through taste. For the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most beloved celebrations in Chinese culture — Chef Yang Zhen Chun, originally from Xiamen in the coastal province of Fujian, has crafted a special menu that captures the essence of reunion and gratitude. Each dish tells a story, blending the warmth of home-style recipes with the elegance of fine dining, offering a moment of connection between East and West beneath the glow of the Roman moon. The Mid-Autumn Festival menu will be available until October 12, at €30 per person, excluding drinks.
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Chef Yang Zhen Chun |
The journey begins with Xian Shui Jiao, delicate fried dumplings made from rice flour and filled with pork, chives, mushrooms, and Chinese turnip, followed by Bobing rolls stuffed with pork, sautéed vegetables, and tofu. The flavors of Fujian unfold further in Nian Gao, rice dumplings stir-fried with carrots, mushrooms, and soy-marinated pork, and Xiamen Spaghetti, a light yet fragrant dish with Chinese mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, and sweet peas. The sea finds its voice in Xian Dan Huang Xia, crispy prawns glazed with marinated yolk, while Xiang Wei Beef, sautéed with fermented Sichuan chilies (pao jiao) and Chinese parsley (xiang cai), delivers a bold, aromatic contrast. To end, Yue Bing, traditional mooncakes filled with sesame, chocolate, green tea, or vanilla bring sweetness and symbolism to the table, a final homage to the full moon’s circle of unity.
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Top: Xian Shui Jiao Bottom: Nian Gao |
The celebration of half autumn, known in Chinese as 中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié), falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. It is a moment of harmony and reflection, marking the harvest and honoring the bonds between family and friends.
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Top: Xiamen Spaghetti Bottom: Xian Dan Huang Xia |
Across centuries, the festival has inspired tales of love and longing, the most famous being that of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, whose luminous presence in the night sky reminds those on earth of reunion and remembrance. Mooncakes, lanterns, and shared meals all echo the same sentiment — that even from afar, we gather beneath one moon.
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Top: Xiang Wei Beef Bottom: Yue Bing, traditional mooncakes |
As diners savor these dishes, soft melodies from the guzheng and pipa, two ancient Chinese instruments, weave through the room, adding grace and stillness to the evening. The celebration also marks a new chapter for the DAO family: the opening of DAO Bistrot on Viale Jonio. Born from the former space of DAO Restaurant, now relocated to Via Sardegna 19, the Bistrot reflects a fresh spirit — contemporary yet true to tradition, convivial yet refined. It is here that the flavors of China find a new home in Rome, carrying forward a story of heritage, innovation, and shared joy.
Photo without watermark are credited to Flavia Fiengo.
Dao Chinese Bistrot
Address: Viale Jonio, 328/330 - 00139 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 87197573
Website: www.daobistrot.it
Facebook: Dao Bistrot Jonio