Growing up first generation Chinese means red bean soup, almond cookies, and orange slices for dessert. Therefore I never really got into sweets. However, I still m want to have a dessert to end a meal on, at least something to cleanse the palate with.
So I was intrigued by the popular milk pudding from the newer He Made in Richmond. They do traditional Cantonese style desserts that are all about texture with mild, classic Chinese flavours.
The shop is decorated like an outdoor market meets zen garden. They serve both savoury small bites and the above mentioned mild desserts in soups, puddings, and tarts. We would try the former two in their deluxe dessert soup and wrinkle milk pudding.
Majority of the items are made during the beginning of the day, but we did get a chance to see them pour out and bake up some of their puddings. This is available to go in premade tubs, or dine in with your choice of topping. You can have it as is to enjoy a simple milky taste, but having it topped or blended adds a second layer of texture and flavour. Choose between the steamed version with a smooth surface and either black sesame, osmanthus infused honey, or ginger. The baked wrinkled skin can be topped with red bean, peach gum, taro, or durian.
Hailing from South East Asia and knowing the scarcity of durian, I will always lean towards it, if ever given an option. The milk skin by itself had little to no flavour, like skim milk. I found to keep things interesting from first to last bite the fruit was needed. The durian was equal parts creamy and fibrous and gave me the feeling of childhood nostalgia.
Like the bowl before, their deluxe signature desserts are ones you also order for their texture. A collection of gummy to grainy chews, brought together in a pool of sweetened evaporated milk. The dessert is served warm, the pasty lotus seed was on the savoury side and reminded me of zhongzi. The candy lotus root was starchy and fibrous, I found this an interesting addition to the world of dessert. It was sweetened with a barbecue jerky consistency. The only bites I really liked were the different jellies and gummy mochi like balls.
In short, not really my tastes and I didn’t try enough to get a good idea at the cafe as a whole. Currently this was interesting, but not enough to be a destination.
HE MADE 和甜記
5951 Number 3 Rd Unit 100, Richmond, BC V6X 3Y6
(604) 370-5272
