Whether you’re looking to impress your partner’s parents or treat your friends, here are nine mooncakes we’ve got our eye on this Mid Autumn Festival — there are gold-dusted ones, alcoholic versions, traditional creations, but also a whole section on durian mooncakes!
Fun Fact: the Mid-Autumn Festival was only coined during the Northern Song Dynasty around 960 AD. Before that, it was just practice to worship the moon for the sake of a plentiful harvest the following year. While we no longer believe that fairies or rabbits are living on the moon, the traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival lives on. People appreciate the moon in various ways, but one popular method would be to ingest these stereotypically sweet baked rice cakes also known as mooncakes.
Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably left mooncake shopping to the very last minute. It may have dawned upon you that the festival is almost upon us and it’s sort of customary to buy mooncakes for your elders. But! Not to worry. If you’re as unprepared as I am, you’re in luck — we’ve scoured the web to pull out the best mooncakes we could find and split them into three categories that we thought were relevant: parents, friends and durians.
Where to Get Your Mooncakes In Singapore:
1. Man Fu Yuan
2. Peach Blossoms
3. Peony Jade Mooncakes
4. Raffles Hotel
5. Goodwood Park Hotel
6. The Marmalade Pantry
7. Royal Durian
8. Chang Ho Sek
9. Chng Kae
🥮 Types of Mooncakes: Traditional vs Non-Traditional
But first, a brief lesson on types. I’m no Mooncake connoisseur, but as far as I can tell, mooncakes are generally split into two broad categories — traditional and non-traditional. Whilst non-traditional mooncakes cover a myriad of new and exciting inventions concerning anything and everything (i.e. ice cream, snow skin and more!), there are around 12 types of traditional mooncakes.
These mooncakes differ in origin, cooking method and appearance. For example, the top crust of Cantonese mooncakes are usually carved with auspicious Chinese characters and filled with a dense lotus or red bean paste. On the other hand, Chaoshan (Teochew) mooncakes often spot a flakey dome-like exterior while the mooncakes from Suzhou are simply savoury instead of sweet.
🥮 Mooncakes For Every Occasion
(A) To Impress Your Parents (& Your Partner’s Parents)
1. Assorted Baked Mooncake Tea Bundle From Man Fu Yuan
Image credits: InterContinental Singapore
Recipient of the Michelin Plate, Man Fu Yuan is known as one of the best when it comes to Chinese Fine Dining. Hence, it’s no surprise that the restaurant has taken it upon themselves to release artisanal versions of traditional baked mooncakes. Executive Chef Eric Neo’s Red Bean Tangerine Paste Mooncake in particular has been a standout that we can’t wait to try!
The best part? Each set comes encased in a rose-gold or gold keepsake tin that opens to reveal a two-tiered stand to complement a tea-pairing dining experience.
Get yours for S$79.20 here.
2. Charcoal Black Sesame Paste With Melon Seeds And Gold Dust Mooncake From Peach Blossoms
Image credits: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore
If you’re looking to wow the in-laws, you can’t possibly go wrong with these signature gold-dusted cakes from PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay. These exquisite mooncakes rock a charcoal black sesame paste filling that’s speckled with melon seeds for a nice crunch and a delightful roasted nut flavour. If that doesn’t win them over, their packaging might! Think ornate boxes with gold clasps and built-in Bluetooth speakers. Yes, Bluetooth speakers.
Get yours for S$79 here.
3. Flaky Teochew ‘Orh Ni’ Mooncake with Premium Golden Pumpkin & Single Yolk From Peony Jade Mooncakes
Image credits: Peony Jade Mooncakes
Since its conception at the Crown Prince Hotel, this Teochew-Style mooncake from 1988 has withstood the test of time. Grandparents, or folks who can’t be bothered with all that extra fuss and frill, will enjoy these nostalgic flaky buttery Teochew treats from Peony Jade. There’s sweet yam paste in here, completed with creamy pumpkin and a single yolk. Don’t worry, if the mooncake doesn’t get them — the old school tin box packaging just might!
Get yours for S$66.50 here.
(B) To Impress Your Friends
4. Yunnan Dark Brown Sugar And Rum Truffle Snow-skin Mooncake From Raffles Hotel
Image credits: Raffles Singapore
Dark brown sugar? Good. Rum? Good. Candied Winter Melon? Good. Now, picture all those elements together and you’ve got yourself a unique experience crafted thoughtfully together by Raffles Singapore. Pro-tip: these mooncakes pair great with a pot of tea, but would be as delightful with a cheeky shot of rum.
Get yours for S$78 here.
5. Tropicana Snow Skin Mooncake From Goodwood Park Hotel
Image credits: Goodwood Park Hotel
This crowd-pleaser from Goodwood Park Hotel features everything we love about the tropics — the juicy sweetness of pineapple bits, the tang of passion fruit puree and that refreshing zest of coconut flakes. It also helps that these cakes come in a vibrant yellow that both adults and children will enjoy!
Get yours for S$65 here.
6. The Marmalade Mix by The Marmalade Pantry
Image credits: The Marmalade Pantry
On a diet? Well, there’s still a way that you may be able to (moderately) indulge this Mid-Autumn Festival — and score a cute rattan and faux-leather bag while you’re at it! The Marmalade Pantry is back with its famous low-sugar mooncakes. New flavours include the Pandan Kaya With Melon Seeds and the Classic Earl Grey Infused Lotus Paste!
Get yours for S$72 here.
(C) For Durian Fans
7. Mao Shan Wang Snowskin Mooncake From Royal Durian
Image credits: Royal Durian
If Royal Durian sounds familiar to you, it’s because they are! Boasting a five-star rating on Facebook, the company has taken those very durians that made them famous, de-seeded them, and turned them into delectable Mao Shan Wang snow skin mooncakes that come in a set of eight.
Get yours for S$118 here.
8. Sakura Snow skin with D24 Durian Mooncake From Chang Ho Sek
Image credit: Chang Ho Sek
You never really need a reason for another durian-related feast — but if an excuse is what you need, Chang Ho Sek’s absolutely adorable and functional “tingkats” might be the perfect one! Packaged in these food grade, stainless steel reusable containers are bittersweet D24 durian mooncakes wrapped up in fragrant Sakura-saturated snow skin. A treat for the tastebuds and the eyes indeed!
Get yours for S$74 here.
9. Qing Hua Mao Shan Wang Mooncake From Chng Kae
Image credit: Chng Kae
With a blue and white marbled snow skin exterior that’s meant to emulate the Tang Dynasty’s luxurious earthenware, Chng Kae’s Mao Shan Wang Mooncake is a masterful blend of modern culture together and tradition. This is also evident in their packaging — fans of Mahjong will love the tin boxes that are reminiscent of the directional tiles.
Get yours for S$118 here.
Dancing In The Moonlight with These Mooncakes
Now that you know exactly where to go to get your mooncakes, don’t forget to check out with your YouTrip card whenever you make those purchases. As always, remember to make full use of YouTrip’s Wholesale Exchange Rates whenever you shop online!
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