In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, Fu’s Repair Shop and Jacek Chocolate Couture have fused the bold flavours of Asian cuisine with the art of fine chocolate in the Joy of Asia Bonbon Collection — a crafted selection of six chocolates that incorporate ingredients found in beloved dishes across the continent. Edify took a closer look at three standouts from the collection.
In Japanese, Doki Doki means fast-beating heart. The flutter of anticipation before something thrilling. And true to its name, Jacek’s Doki Doki Passionfruit chocolate sparks excitement. The chocolate brings together a combination of miso, white chocolate and passionfruit. Miso, a fermented paste made from soybeans and rice, is a staple in many Asian cuisines, particularly Japanese. While commonly associated with savoury dishes, it’s becoming increasingly popular in desserts due to its ability to impart a deep umami flavour.
In the Jacek chocolate, the miso is roasted, which mellows its saltiness and brings out toasty, caramel-like flavours that provide an added depth. Winnie Chen, executive chef and operating partner at Fu’s Repair Shop, and Jacqueline Jacek, owner and founder of Jacek Chocolate Couture, both noted this chocolate as their personal favourites in the collection.
“I’m really partial to white chocolate,” Chen says. “So the roasted miso and passionfruit is really up there for me because it’s a white chocolate bonbon, and then the flavour combination is just really unique.”
The sharp, tropical passionfruit is meant to cut through the white chocolate richness with a citrusy zing. While the fruit is native to South America, it holds a beloved place in many Asian cuisines — especially in Southeast Asia, where it’s used in everything from juices and jellies to shaved ice and layered desserts. Together, the roasted miso and passionfruit play a push-and-pull game, all tied together by white chocolate’s silky sweetness.
Oozy Does It takes inspiration from man tao, Fu’s popular Chinese dessert — pillowy steamed buns that are deep-fried and served with a sweet coconut milk dip.
The coconut milk enhances the savoury richness of the buns with its delicate sweetness, and this contrast is what sparked the creation of Oozy Does It, which features a gooey caramel centre infused with Fu’s signature seven-spice blend.
The seven-spice blend is a reimagined take on the traditional Chinese five-spice, which typically includes star anise, fennel, Sichuan peppercorns, cloves and cinnamon. Fu’s version builds on this base, adding a few extra secret spices for a layer of complexity. These additions give the chocolate a spicy depth to complement the caramel interior.
“It’s definitely the most savoury chocolate of the collection,” Jacek says. “It’s super bold — and there’s no mistake that it’s Fu’s signature spice blend.”
Green mango — often picked while still firm — offers a sharpness that can cut through the richness of meats and provide a refreshing contrast in salads and pickles. Valued for its versatility, the green mango shines in both savoury and sweet applications. And in many East and Southeast Asian countries, it’s a popular street food snack, enjoyed with a sprinkle of salt and chili, balancing bold and contrasting flavours.
Jacek’s It Takes Two To Mango blends green mango sour with chili salt, all mixed within a rich, dark chocolate. Together, the flavours create a balance of acidity, spice and richness that reflect profiles common in many Asian cuisines.
On their menu, Fu’s is offering a complementary drink to pair with this bonbon. Still in development, the most recent iteration uses butter-washed whiskey — a technique where butter is gently melted into the alcohol, then chilled and strained to remove the fat.
“It’s very creamy and rich, which goes really well with the salt and spice,” Chen says.
What remains is a smooth spirit with a velvety texture and nutty undertones, reminiscent of chestnut. The richness of the butter-washed whiskey offers a creamy counterpoint to the bonbon’s tart green mango and chili salt, softening the heat while enhancing the depth of flavour.
Starting May 1, the Joy of Asia Bonbon Collection will be available at Jacek locations in Edmonton, Sherwood Park and Canmore, as well as at Boa & Hare and Fu’s Repair Shop. Additionally, Fu’s will feature a cocktail inspired by It Takes Two to Mango, along with a selection of Jacek chocolates, on their menu throughout May.
