From traditional flavours to innovative flavour profiles, here are some of the must-have mooncakes this Mid-Autumn Festival
It’s that time of the year again; coming together with the family, children running amok with their battery-powered lanterns with blinding RGB lights blasting distorted tunes over and over… The saving grace, of course, are the mooncakes. From timeless classics to new and contemporary curations, here’s a list of mooncakes that deserve a mention. Forget the calorie-count and indulge to your heart’s content, and here’s wishing one and all a very Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
Raffles Hotel
Best known for: Exquisitely handcrafted snowskin mooncakes
We can’t deny that Raffles Hotel mooncakes are the purveyors of snowskin mooncakes when the Mid-Autumn festival rolls around. This year, three new innovative flavours join the lineup: the Guojiao 1573 Baijiu Black Sesame Truffle, Chestnut and Tahitian Vanilla with Rum, and Sudachi and Blueberry with Gin Truffle snowskin mooncakes. Of course, the signature flavours remain–the Champagne Truffle, Sakura and Raspberry Truffle, Yuzu and Osmanthus Truffle snow-skin mooncakes are not to be missed, of course.
Goodwood Park Hotel
Best known for: Decadent mooncakes made without preservatives, expertly crafted through a collaboration between the hotel’s culinary team and Hong Kong master chefs
Goodwood Park Hotel’s quintessential Durian combo is back by popular demand; an assortment of the king of fruits offer a diversity of flavours, ranging from mild to intense bittersweet profiles. Joining that, the highly anticipated treat this year is a Kumquat Melon with Macadamia snowskin mooncake, manifested as a harmonious blend of refreshing melon and tangy kumquat rounded off with a rich, nutty goodness of homemade macadamia paste.
Janice Wong Singapore
Best known for: Meticulously hand-painted mooncakes
A confectionary brand synonymous with chocolates, it goes without saying that the Janice Wong Signature Chocolate Mooncakes is a must-order. Other favourites include flavours like Peanut Gingerflower, Salted Caramel Cashew, Vanilla Biscoff, and for alcohol-lovers, the Gula Lapis Whisky Old Fashioned.
As for the health-conscious, Janice Wong has reimagined traditions with four new varieties of low-sugar baked mooncakes. The Kuromitsu Sea Salt balances black sugar with a hint of saltiness, while the Kinako Macadamia offers for a warm and nutty bite. A delicate contrast to indulgent chocolate and baked variants are the snowskin mooncakes, complete with a hidden truffle ball within for a delightful surprise. Flavours include Sweet Potato Cashew, Hojicha Chestnut Coffee, Hinako Macadamia and Matcha Yuzu.
Cedric Grolet Singapore
Best known for: a innovative fusion of traditional lunar confectionary with Grolet’s modern pastry techniques
Following its Paris and London openings, Cedric Grolet has touched down in Singapore, making it its fourth location worldwide. The award-winning French pastry chef’s modern creations are beloved by pastry fans worldwide, and its new exquisite presentation of five mooncake flavours are exclusive to Singapore at its namesake patisserie at COMO Orchard.
Some highlights include the specially created Peanut and Banana flavour profile that is a must-try. Other flavours include the Coconut, Pistachio, Raspberry and Pecan and Vanilla mooncakes.
Featuring 4 decadent 5 ON 25 Signature Tea mooncakes—each a fragrant medley where Osmanthus meets the rich, earthy notes of Oolong and Pu’er teas, creating a sophisticated and deeply satisfying infusion. Photo by Andaz Singapore
Andaz Singapore
Best known for: Halal certified mooncakes handcrafted by modern upscale Cantonese restaurant, 5 ON 25 at Andaz Singapore
Modern and adventurous palates will be satiated with the new Truffle-Damia and Red Date Jubilee mooncakes; the former is an aromatic blend of delightful macadamia nuts embedded within a velvety smooth white lotus paste, while the latter is reminiscent of ‘Cheng Teng’, with creamy lotus paste and succulent longans and red dates.
For the tea connoisseurs, enjoy a fragrant medley of tea notes, featuring infusions of osmanthus, oolong and hints of pu’er.
Feng Shui Inn, Resorts World Sentosa
Best known for: Decadent variations of healthier and nutrient-filled mooncakes
Made with ancient grains, the collection features four variations of mooncakes that will please those who are health-conscious. Interesting flavour offers include the Mala Mixed Nuts Mooncake with Bak Kwa; featuring an amalgamation of local favourites, this unconventional mooncake proffers layers that’ll whet your tastebuds; spicy, mildly sweet and nutty, blending perfectly with the mooncake’s buttery crust.
On another note: century eggs in a mooncake…? Yes, you read that right. Inspired by traditional Hong Kong traditional century egg pastries, the robust flavour profile of century eggs blends seamlessly with the delicate sweet notes of red bean filling, creating an addictive flavour pairing that’ll leave you wanting more.
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
Best known for: Innovative blend of tradition and modernity
Artfully handcrafted by award-winning modern Cantonese restaurant, Madame Fan, some mid-autumn mooncake highlights include the Tiramisu with Matcha Pistachio Truffle and Osmanthus Palona, inspired by Madame Fan Bar’s dainty concoctions.
TWG Tea
Best known for: Contemporary selections of traditional baked mooncakes infused with TWG’s novel teas
Masterfully blended by TWG Tea, a constellation of flavours awaits you this mid-autumn; a magical union of extraordinary rose blossoms and juicy fruit of the season. Encased in a magenta pink gift box, the ethereal pairing of tea-infused mooncakes will be a perfect gift to celebrate the season’s celestial spectacle.
Must-try flavours include the Amber Rose Tea infused mooncake, adorned with raspberry pearls cradling a white chocolate truffle within that’s filled with lychee confit. The French Early Grey infused variant reveals a white chocolate truffle with a mandarin lotus cream core.
