This Bakery Makes Thousands of Mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival Every Year | NYT Cooking

[@benson8036]

Hey guys this is Benson. From me and my family we just wanted to say thank you guys for the supportive and kind comments! We’re truly grateful for the chance to share a bit of our lives with you! We hope this film has provided greater insight into the Mid-Autumn Festival and the importance of Mooncakes. Thank you everyone for your support and special thanks to NYT, Zhan & Cory as well as Mantai for his dedication and exceptional work, spending countless hours with us to make this happen!

[@meysvlog5709]

I felt really familiar to your case in the oldest of my brothers and my family have a Chinese restaurant and same my father do all the cooking right now we all help him and trying to make process or let People work my goal is that the restaurant at least runs itself were from Mexico @zhanghai so inspiring your family always hardworking

[@2525warren]

You have a very wonderful family and I love seeing family businesses working together. I am the child of a family with a small business and I understand all the ups and downs but also how rewarding it can be. I am hoping for a prosperous future for you all.

[@fantlsco]

Thank you for sharing your story!

[@latigresseNYC]

Is it possible to place an order for mooncakes and have them shipped? Thanks.

[@tiffanyd.8489]

I learned so much through this video. I love my culture. Thank you for showing us your story!

[@tasdsoccerdude]

the eldest son sneaking food onto dad's plate 😭❤

[@banana.bread_]

had me bawling my eyes out

[@dengarmuzikbukankritikartis]

@@banana.bread_ same...

[@benson8036]

Hey @tasdsoccerdude haha I’ve been caught! Wishing you a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[@FrancesNg-Lee]

This is how he shows his love to daddy without saying it loud ❤

[@sammuangbai651]

Loving actions speak louder ❤

[@monkiecher]

I thought I was going to learn about how mooncakes are made but got more than I bargained for. I teared up while listening to this family's story of struggle and perseverance and limitless love for one another. What a beautiful family.

[@benson8036]

Hey @monkiecher thank you for your generous words and sharing your thoughts. We're thankful to have been granted this opportunity to share our story and bond with you guys! Wishing you an amazing and Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[@lmm2954]

Exactly.

[@caiccoi]

please keep this kind of food journalism for immigrant families alive ❤

[@itzyfan88]

agreed, enjoying this series

[@artsytwee]

This documentary made me hit the subscribe button, hope to see more ❤

[@yusefhassan6701]

the fact that the eldest son went on to the front lines and work as an EMT during COVID shows how much love this family has for each other❤

[@L17_8]

Jesus LOVES you so soooo much ❤️ Please REPENT now and turn to Him and receive Salvation before it is too late. The end times written about in the Holy Bible are already happening in the world.

[@accordiongordon]

@@L17_8no thx i’m good

[@benson8036]

Hey @Yusefhassan6701 thank you for your generous comment, we wish you nothing but the best!!

[@hyorin4557]

When the father said no need to wait for daddy with that sweet tone..that got me teary 😭🩷

[@christophertran2433]

Same here!

[@Linhdoesstuff]

When that part of the video came on, my own daddy walked in and i had to stop myself from crying and play-punch with him because he said the same thing. It’s the small gestures that show how Asian parents love their children and “don’t wait up for me, you can eat first” is one of those gestures. I always sit with my dad when he eats even when i don’t eat because i know he appreciates the company.

[@fatagnus3153]

I can tell they're good folks. The elders speak a Toisan (village style), but the kids have that home-style American Cantonese. Even with the culture and generation gap, they're pitching in. Solid fam!

[@jennyng2994]

Haha yeah! I knew they were from Toisan when they started using Toisan pronunciation of certain words. Most of the early Chinese immigrants were from Toisan, who then opened restaurants and laundromats, and generations later, they are still working incredibly hard in these service-sector businesses. I can't help but sympathize with this family because of my own Toisanese roots.

[@benson8036]

Hey @fatagnus3153 , @jennyng2994 haha yes my parents speak the Toisan dialect. My brother and I can only understand but not speak Toisan. Wishing you guys a blessed and Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[@benson8036]

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone! Thank you guys for the overwhelming support and love, we couldn’t have made it through the season without you guys. Endless amount of love and gratitude from my family to you all, it’s been amazing to see how one opportunity could really connect us all. It’s been a pleasure for us to share this year with you guys. May you guys have a blessed, joyful night full of mooncakes and great food! Don’t forget to be on the lookout for the moon tonight with your friends and family. 🫶🥮🌕😊

[@BluuBird2]

It really touched me to see how they interact with each other. It's those small gestures like making sure the other person eats enough (and trying to sneak more onto their plate when they're not looking because you know they would never take seconds even if they still wanted more). Also the way they talk about each other, with so much respect and care. I wish them all the best, and that at least they can be happy and enjoy some hard earned rest soon.

[@benson8036]

Hey @BluuBird2 on behalf’s of me and my family thank you for your generous words! We wish you nothing but the best and a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[@dandanamandine60]

Dad looks as young as his sons. Stay strong and healthy

[@0majors0]

I was thinking the same

[@thisisqasim]

Personally know the eldest son and he has a heart of gold!

[@benson8036]

@thisisqasim thank you my brother, same can be said about you!!❤

[@vraschke]

I did not expect to get teary on my lunch break. Wishing this lovely family the best and at least a peek at the Moon.

[@benson8036]

Hey @vraschke , we wish you a prosperous and Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!!

[@stacyzou9037]

this is the kind of food journalism i want to see 😭 incredibly relatable, made me think of my family the entire time, really hit and reflecting on how i just let this holiday pass and missed my family this year

[@jaianna843]

I teared up, seeing how much the owners sons love and appreciate their dad and how their mom and dad work to the bone to provide and care for the family. It just got me in my feels.

[@jadeyu9544]

Didn’t expect to see such a touching story when I click…Reminds me of my father a lot, “work hard in school so you don’t need to work long hours like me in the future” is the most simple and genuine wish from an immigrant father to his children.

[@lauraqueentint]

Father Huang is such a gentle, hardworking and dilligent man. From the way he speaks it seems like he really cares for his sons and his family and want the best for them, to the point of even overworking himself so he can make sure he can provide for them. I wish I could give him a hug and it seems he has raised fantastic sons who are grateful and loyal to their parents too.

[@benson8036]

Hey @lauraqueentint, thanks for the meaningful comment I'll be sure to pass the message down to my father! For us family solidarity is very important as our parents have always taken really good care of us and we hope to do even more for them. Wishing you a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[@Zeronohigher]

Peace to this lovin efficient fam!! I’m deeply touched & inspired ! Thank you all & may health of Spirit, mind & body be all of yours for the taking !!

[@WGBreezy]

The love between this family and the passion they have for what they do is so beautiful to see. Chinatown is changing so fast and it is pivotal that we continue supporting places like these.

[@Squadron_Bodron]

What about the love between Jewish families which is being picked apart as Hamas continues its genocide against Israel.

[@caspian5060]

@@Squadron_Bodron respectfully, what is wrong with you?

[@Squadron_Bodron]

@@caspian5060 what are you talking about? Nothing wrong with calling out hatred of Jews.

[@caspian5060]

@@Squadron_Bodron time and place buddy

[@happybat1977]

My grandfather was a small farmer. He was so delighted that his daughter (my mum) got an education and a career - he thought his work was too hard, he wanted better for her. I never met him, but this video made me cry a little just the same.

[@GraceLieu]

As a Chinese American, absolutely loved watching this video! It really reinforced my love for Chinese culture and the people. I’m Cantonese so seeing that the Huang family spoke it is super dope. They are such amazing, hardworking people, and I wish I lived in NY to try their mooncakes haha

[@ariettej4271]

When the dad said he didn’t want his sons to do that job and that they could go do whatever they like after graduating 😭 Thank you guys for sharing this story, it was so wholesome. I wish I lived in New York and could support them. Very inspirational ❤

[@lindaliang3825]

Even though you can do whatever you want after graduating, please don't take anything for granted, especially recipes handed down from generation to generation.

[@smahoney25]

I'm Chinese American, born and raised I'm Elmhurst, NY. It's true that Chinese families don't say I love you but instead show their love through actions. This story beautifully captures all those unsaid ILY moments from the hardworking parents, to the grateful and helpful sons and ensuring everyone has enough to eat

[@alanwong8421]

or they feed you and then tell turn around and tell you your getting fat , thats how my parents said they loved me lol

[@t.h.1784]

Action speaks louder than words ❤

[@adamwithbiebz]

This was my go to bakery for eight years when I first moved to nyc for school and seeing the love that they put into everything is priceless!

[@benson8036]

Hey @adamwithbiebz , thanks for the support we're very appreciative of customers like you. Wishing you a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you and yours!

[@tanvivian]

Just as Theresa Tang sang "the moon represents my heart", this family truly represents heart and love for each other, with every mooncake they made.

[@avayu2289]

This bakery and all family run bakeries like this are the real heros of our economy. Thank you for this documentary.

[@Squadron_Bodron]

Are Jewish people not heroes?

[@benzzoy]

@1:55: What she said: "Almost there." What she really meant: "I'll give you a pass because you're the boss' son and there's a camera crew here so I need to give you face." LOL

[@maikeruchen]

This really hits home and I appreciate them continuing the tradition for 20 years. All parents want their children to have a better and easier life than they did.

[@chingper199]

"Neh gum dai jek" sailed me. Glad to hear the old tongue alive

[@lauraqueentint]

dai jek lo XDDDD

[@edlouie8653]

My late dad immigrated from Toisan as a teenager and resembled Mr. Huang in more ways than one; made me a little misty but happy to watch. I never developed a taste for mooncake, but looking forward to finding other treats at their shop when visiting my daughter at college in NYC this fall.

[@dengarmuzikbukankritikartis]

i love mooncakes, and this video hits me hard. even in the modern times we still see elderlies working hard because they're used to it, and at the same time want their kids to pursue what they like instead of taking over the business from them. baking is an art...it's not about imperfections but quality. I understand Mr. Huang's concern about his products and how he wants to handle things by himself. his parents must be so proud of him because he still thinks of others when he's busy at his bakery even on Mid-Autumn Festival day.

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

I've got my box of them sitting right here in front of me. What an incredible family! So hard working. I admire them.

[@YumboYack2521]

I teared up watching those two sons helping their father. There’s so much love in this family and you can see how much they all care for each other. Kids taking care of their parents like this is so rare this day and age.

[@Momsgottaeat]

Wow what hard working and gracious people

[@FeedTheUrgeYT]

Kudos to the production team. Camera, editing, sound quality, writing in the cold open is one of the best I've seen.

[@j3annie1963]

Beautiful and heartfelt video about love and a good strong family. I am so glad that they did not lose their business due to Covid. I wish them only the best and may they find a solution in their quest to keep their family strong and fortunate, while letting them all find a happy, satifying and smoother life for the years ahead.

[@benson8036]

Hey j3annie1963 thank you for your delightful comment! It was very relieving to have made it past covid an unpredictable time and to be where we are now. We wish you the same and a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!!

[@napoleonsdauphin]

This was really beautiful - what an upstanding, hard-working family.

[@amandarohrback1090]

What a beautiful story and family! 🌕 ❤

[@ManyGhosts]

One of the best videos I've seen on this channel. So heartfelt and human, and this family deserves all the blessings the universe has to provide. The eldest son stole my heart. They all did. Fantastic story. Will be eating mooncakes in their honor.

[@benson8036]

Hey @ManyGhosts thank you for your kind words. Enjoy the Mooncakes and Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[@pretzelsfan]

these videos always make me cry. there's so much heart and pain. we work so hard as chinese people, too hard. but it also defines us. decidedly unglamorous but foundational to immigrant economies, to the fabric of the canto diaspora, to the texture of american society, often going unnoticed, not unlike the silent but heartfelt gestures we embody when we make sure others are cared for, resting, fed, etc. so modest, unassuming, but ever-present.

[@landralin8381]

I am so moved by how hard working this family bakery works to make so many moon cakes during the Autumn moon festival. It’s so touching to see how loving and respectful the son and father have for each other to make their family business work

[@nathanquan9197]

The Moon Cake festival is a Chinese traditional celebration each year in rhe Chinese community. Each year many Chinese people getting ready to celebrate globally. Its a blessing to have these kind of sweets produce for us to eat and enjoy.

[@kokonana4086]

I tear up as the dad's chopsticking pieces of meat into the son's plate. That's LOVE. Just pure Love!

[@kristinay.8852]

I appreciate watching this, seeing this culture of baking. In western society there is a lot of french supremacy and eurocentrism in baking. Although there are nice things in french baking there are so many other kinds of great baking styles all over the world

[@suwarnotaryadi2974]

The parents are very lucky to have 2 very filial sons. it is heartwarming watching this.

[@ivydaphne7483]

This is why I appreciate mooncakes especially every mid-autumn festival. The absolute love & work that goes in to making them adds something special to the festivities and reunions.

[@mingzw0913]

omg I could tell exactly where his father is from by listening to his accent when he speaks in cantonese! I love seeing people from canton doing such increadible work around the world. They always remind me of how great my culture is and no matter where we are, this love and caring within the family is what ties us together.

[@laerwen]

I wish I had the money to give all these people a long, long vacation. I've seen Chinese bakeries inner workings on the internet before and they all seem to work so extremely hard. I have so much respect for that. I am so glad this family knows how to support each other. I have always wanted to try a mooncake, they're always so beautiful. I have certain food intolerances so I shall have to admire the beautiful design of them rather than eating - but they look incredible.

[@alesh2275]

Such a beautiful family centered on a beautiful dad 😊

[@lissetteramirez191]

I didn't think I'd be crying over moon cakes today. Happy Mid autumn Festival! Many many blessings to this beautifully united family

[@romee3859]

This family is such a solid unit. The hardworking parents have set such a great example and raised such loving, responsible and good sons. All love and support to this family ❤

[@lordfarquad229]

Parents that don’t push their kids to do what they do and instead follow their own ambitions and kids who want to do everything for their parents because of their love and sacrifice. Now that is the peak family dynamic

[@GhostArtist-yj3fe]

Came for a video about mooncakes, stayed to see family values and hard work! Motivating indeed

[@louisakelly3373]

Thank you for sharing this with the world. I am in South Carolina and will be going to our local bakery to buy a Moon cake for the Mid-Autumn Festival. This behind the scenes look at what a baker does. I love the appreciation the son's have for what their father does.

[@jordanw8382]

Loved this so much. Makes me miss my family. I haven't been able to join them for Mid-Autumn Festival in over 4 years. My parents, now in their 80s, used to toil in a restaurant like this for me and my brother so that we could have a better life. Wish you all success and good health and thank you for sharing your story. From a fellow Toisan-ngin from Canada.

[@litapd311]

respect to this hardworking family, clearly the parents raised their kids well. and thanks for sharing this story.

[@doodlesofdoodles]

Beautiful video 🥹 thought I was going to see mooncakes being made but was also shown the resilience and dedication of my people. Very nostalgic and heartwarming

[@donnadea3081]

I love this ❤️. I'm a daughter of immigrant parents (from China) and this is the first time I have seen how mooncakes are made. My siblings and I grew up helping our parents in our mom and pop restaurant so I love seeing these type of food and culture stories.

[@yawenliu6648]

Get their Macau style egg tarts, they make the best 葡撻Macau style egg tarts in NYC. Make sure you get the ones that just coming out of oven, hot and fresh. You can wait for a fresh batch in the store

[@Paulxl]

Egg tarts are my favorite sweet. And those look so good.

[@benson8036]

Hey @yawenliu6648 thank you for your support and we hope to continue making delicious Macau Egg Tarts for everyone!

[@lanahuang2003]

Totally agree! They have such good egg tarts!

[@Paulxl]

@@lanahuang2003 Only vegans don't love egg tarts.

[@lindenwinters]

Awesome video. I want to point out for anyone who is interested, the types of mooncakes they're making are very specific to southern china/cantonese area. Other regions eat very different styles. Near the yangtze area (e.g. shanghai), the traditional style is more savory and meat-filled. It's one of those fun regional contentions: whose mooncake style is better!

[@KaylaPearlCPNinja]

The intricate designs of the mooncakes are so beautiful. Really like seeing videos like this because it helps bring various cultures to the spotlight. We need more of this.

[@wvusciguy]

This series is one of the best thing the Nytimes does. Thank you for bringing us these stories. Incredibly touching. Too. I found the plastic fork in the Chinese takeout noodles very validating of my noddle and chop stick experience

[@aywancfc]

Thank you NYT for this culturally affirming news story. ❤ please make more of these!

[@momoko7859]

He raised good kids. You can tell from the kids genuinely wanting to help and dads always thinking about feeding the family.

[@musik799]

I love 💕 mooncakes 🥮 and the Mid Autumn Festival with lanterns! So nice to see this video and feel the warmth of family through this video while I’m continents away from home.

[@Shrimpwhat]

Very touching video. Really this is the story for many immigrant families with businesses where the entire family has to pitch in just to squeeze by. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@cyax64]

What a beautiful family and story ❤ wish I could travel from arizona to this bakery to try a mooncake

[@lllow7931]

"I want to make things easier for my dad, at the same time grow my career as well" I felt that so much 😢 Great job doing everything so well and helping your family out ❤

[@bryghian]

Why am I tearing up 😭 it's just mooncakes, the small pastry my family shares every autumn 😭

[@Melza01]

Great exposure for a deserving family.

[@Akiaram96]

Oh this made me sobbbbb. Heading down to Double Crispy ASAP

[@AGreyAlien]

Asians are hardworking people. They set an example for the rest of us.

[@Kelsphere12]

just got their mooncakes a few weeks back, so good! Glad they’re getting some love

[@hotelvasthorizon]

What an incredible family. I wish I lived nearby to support their business.

[@oversharer]

Mooncakes definitely don't taste like cake -- they're more savory than sweet. Eating a mooncake is more about the nostalgic stodgy texture, sort of like a duller, beanier pumpkin pie. So weird that I grew up with this language in my home, and I went off to college a decade ago, but this video brings me right back. Thanks NYT, great piece.

[@benson8036]

Hey @oversharer great way to describe it, I couldn’t agree more. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[@stellazhang4074]

蓮蓉 is more than sweet. It’s basically a big chunk of fat and sugar. 咸蛋黃, on the other hand, is very savory. There you have the classic 雙黃蓮蓉月餅. Of course there are other variations of moon cake. My grandfather’s favorite, 五仁月餅, is filled with sweetened almond and nuts. I heard that the ham stuffed ones are pretty good too.

[@niabaezcarreno4542]

why are you guys making me cry this was so sweet and warm to watch

[@yutomin4832]

Such a wholesome family. I wish them nothing but the best!

[@cboy5oc]

I love the Chinese culture, family strength, hard work and caring for one another. It shows the damage done to humans when the society is self-centered, children expect to be entertained and so many families are broken. We all can learn from this.

[@NZKiwi87]

Oh man, the way you synchronised that stamping machine with the background music was just GORGEOUS! Loved it 😂👍

[@832JY]

Mooncake making is all about its sacrifice, love, family, sweat and blood. This guy’s baker is very diligent and caring to his whole family, and doesn’t care about himself. Which is making me sad and pity 😢❤ So buy and support them as much as you can 🥮🥮🥮 Wishing you all, in advance, a Happy Mooncake Festival and spend with your loved ones. Take care ❤️❤️

[@chili-rye123]

So so proud to be canto when watching these videos

[@sfowler1017]

What a wonderful story of love, family, skill, and incredibly hard work.

[@shleighng]

so beautifully filmed and act really captures the hard work and warmth this family has for one another

[@Love-od8cs]

This story is beyond mooncakes ❤

[@aznfattass]

I don't think people truly understand how deep Toisan roots are around the world, especially here in the US. As a person with Toisan roots, I am very glad I was able to pick up ‎Taishanese which is slowly dying out. I found out not too long ago that many of the chinese people who built the great rail roads of the US were Toisan people. We go back generations. I am just sad I did not truly understand the dedication my parents had with our restaurant, I wish we still had it today.

[@sophtheloaf4393]

I hope one day soon they ll get to enjoy the mid autumn festival together as a family. the mooncakes look great, wishing them success and happiness

[@judithwalker8682]

Best wishes to this family ! Your Mooncakes are truly a labor of love as well as a source pride in the love in your family that you share ! Blessings to all of you and all of your family! Thank you for the delicious treat . 😊 .

[@ok-rg5ju]

really appreciate you guys keeping the cantonese conversations instead of dubbing it

[@beverlyjahmi8121]

a beautiful and dedicated family , you can definitely see the hard work and love that goes into crafting each and every mooncake. ♥️

[@s0fa274]

What an incredible family, wow. I’ll definitely be supporting their business, this made me so proud of them ❤️ happy mid autumn!

[@natalieang99]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. It speaks volumes to the dedication parents can have to ensure their kids will never have to suffer the way they do.

[@juleec25]

The black paste with egg yolk is my favorite! I haven’t had it since I was a kid. I definitely want to try this place when I visit NY.

[@littlemikeism]

What a beautiful family! I can't wait to visit! This is my first exposure to Mid-Autumn Festival and Mooncakes thanks to NYT's Melissa Clark!

[@jiahaoguan5648]

I wish this family nothing but the best. 中秋节快乐

[@hamzaarshad5478]

Wow what a wonderful and heartwarming story. Benson is a great person and even better family member!

[@artieoms]

The tradition is in wonderful hands with this loving family and father (Yi-Wei) at the helm. What an inspiring story about hard work and values, all in pursuit of following in the footsteps of the family's bakery legacy. Loved this so much. Thankyou for sharing this insight. ❤🎉❤ Double crispy bakery

[@dannimalsholderbro]

These mooncakes are beautiful! Where I am from, we have many cultures from Asia represented in our community. It is always really cool to see how they all have their own versions of mooncakes. They are all very special and very delicious. I think my favorite is either the red bean filling or the snowskin mooncakes with the purple sweet potato filling. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Huang family, and thank you for sharing your story with us!

[@SparkzMxzXZ]

“..exactly a month and a few days before the start of celebrations” is such a great line

[@sofiya9212]

Hard-working people and a lovely family ❤

[@Jack-zp3ew]

Such hard working family and staff. Wish them all the happiness and success ❤

[@jibrielahmad550]

I loved this! Truly a gem full of culture

[@abbiem3231]

I love mooncakes and want to try making them myself next year. They are so much work and this business shows exactly how much goes into them! I hope they can sit together for at least one festival ❤