White Rabbit Candy in Shanghai: We Tried Every Flavor of the Iconic “Da Bai Tu” Milk Candy!

Nostalgic yet innovative, China’s beloved national candy “White Rabbit” (大白兔奶糖, Dàbáitù nǎitáng) possesses this mysterious charm. While airports and general stores mainly carry the classic milk flavor, there’s actually a wide variety of flavors known to those in the know. Today, we’ll introduce you to this rich world of flavors based on our experience at specialty stores in Shanghai’s famous tourist spots “Yu Garden” and “Tianzifang.”

What is White Rabbit Candy? A Historic Chinese National Confection

White Rabbit candy is a milk candy that was born in Shanghai, China in 1959. The name derives from the white rabbit depicted on the package. “大白兔” means “white rabbit” in Chinese, and “奶糖” means “milk candy.” The pure white rabbit illustration that has remained unchanged since its founding and the edible rice paper wrapping the candy have become trademarks of this confection.

In China, it has been beloved as an essential confection for celebrations such as New Year and weddings. When I asked Chinese friends about it, I heard comments like “a taste from childhood memories” and “it was always at grandma’s house,” conveying how cherished it is.

The Appeal of Classic Milk Flavor

First, let’s introduce the original milk flavor (原味) that can be called the synonym of White Rabbit candy. With one bite, the rich taste of fresh milk spreads throughout your mouth. High-quality fresh milk is used as an ingredient, and its authentic flavor has captivated many fans.

What’s particularly noteworthy is that while it has a caramel-like richness, the aftertaste is refreshing. It’s not too sweet, yet offers a satisfying taste balance. The texture that slowly melts in your mouth is also characteristic. It’s finished with just the right hardness—neither too hard nor too soft. This well-balanced deliciousness is probably why it has been loved for over 60 years.

Diverse Flavors Found at Shanghai Specialty Stores

In Shanghai, there are White Rabbit candy specialty stores in two locations: Yu Garden Commercial City and Tianzifang. The Yu Garden store in particular is a space that incorporates modern elements into traditional Chinese architecture, making it a popular spot for tourists. You can have a wonderful experience purchasing traditional confections at Yu Garden while enjoying the atmosphere of old Shanghai.

Inside the store, products are lined up everywhere, from normal flavors to various unusual varieties. Perhaps due to the Yu Garden location, there are many foreign tourists, and the staff can handle simple English communication. Tasting is also available, so you can actually confirm flavors you’re curious about before purchasing.

The World of Unknown Flavors

At airports and general stores, you’ll mostly encounter only the classic milk flavor. However, when you visit a specialty store, you’ll discover an amazingly rich variety! There are over 15 different types! Let’s introduce the distinctive taste of each.

From traditional Chinese flavors, there’s Red Bean (紅豆) flavor. The harmony between red bean flavor and milk is exquisite, with a familiar taste reminiscent of traditional sweets. Osmanthus (桂花) flavor features the characteristic fragrant flower scent representing China. Corn (玉米) flavor charms with the gentle sweetness of corn.

The fruity category is also well-stocked. Banana (香蕉) flavor has an excellent compatibility between banana sweetness and milk. Durian (榴蓮) flavor expresses the rich durian flavor in candy form. Mango (芒果) flavor features attractive tropical aromas.

Sweet-style flavors are not to be missed either. Chocolate (巧克力) flavor lets you enjoy the harmony of chocolate and milk. Coconut Milk (椰奶) flavor features the refreshing taste of coconut milk. Yogurt (酸奶) flavor has the moderate acidity of yogurt as an accent.

They also challenge unexpected combinations. Wasabi (芥末) flavor is a surprising item with effective wasabi flavor. Preserved Plum (話梅糖) flavor lets you enjoy the strange harmony of plum sourness and milk. Cool Milk Candy (清涼奶糖) flavor features refreshing mint flavor.

Tea-based flavors are also substantial. Coffee (珈琲) flavor offers an aromatic adult taste of coffee. Matcha flavor is a Chinese-style arrangement of the matcha flavor familiar in many countries.

And as a representative of the nut category, there’s Peanut Milk Candy (花生牛乳糖). The fragrance of peanuts and the sweetness of milk show an exquisite balance.

Evolution of Package Design

While the traditional white rabbit design remains, pop and colorful packages have also appeared in recent years. Limited designs targeting especially young generations and seasonal limited flavor packages are popular for their social media-worthy cuteness.

At the Yu Garden and Tianzifang specialty stores, original design canned gift sets are also sold and are popular as souvenirs. The can designs vary widely, from those featuring retro-modern Shanghai streetscapes to contemporary pop art. The practicality of being able to use them as small storage containers after finishing the candies is also appealing.

Creative Ways to Eat and Recipe Arrangements

Did you know that the rice paper wrapper that’s characteristic of White Rabbit candy is actually edible? This rice paper is used to prevent the candy from sticking to the wrapper. When eating, after peeling off the outer wrapper, you can put it in your mouth together with the rice paper.

Recently, various arrangement recipes have also become popular. Dissolving it in hot water to make a hot milk drink, or warming it in the microwave to spread on toast. On social media, many sweet recipes using White Rabbit candy are posted. The specialty stores apparently also develop products based on these arrangement recipes.

Points for Choosing Souvenirs

White Rabbit candy is popular as a Chinese souvenir, but we recommend checking the expiration date when purchasing. Especially in summer, there’s a possibility of melting in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, so storage in a cool place is necessary.

Also, since counterfeits are circulating, we recommend purchasing from reliable stores. Genuine products have clear package printing and careful candy shapes and packaging. At the Yu Garden and Tianzifang specialty stores, quality control is thorough, so you can purchase with confidence.

Summary: A Traditional Candy That Continues to Evolve

White Rabbit candy, with over 60 years of history, continues to evolve to match modern times. While preserving traditional flavors, it’s also capturing the hearts of young generations with new flavors and designs.

When visiting Shanghai, please try various flavors at the specialty stores in Yu Garden or Tianzifang. Yu Garden in particular is in a location that’s easy to visit combined with other tourist spots, and you can also enjoy the traditional Chinese atmosphere, so it’s recommended. You’re sure to find your “favorite” flavor.

While you can purchase them at some Asian food stores and online shops internationally, the variety of flavors is limited. To enjoy the rich selection unique to Shanghai, purchasing at specialty stores is definitely recommended. Meeting this nostalgic yet innovative, charming confection will surely make your trip to China more memorable.