It's almost that time of the year again where we gather with our families, light lanterns and look up from our smartphones to admire what's supposed to be the fullest moon of the year. Not forgetting sharing and eating mooncakes too!
We know the variety out there can be pretty overwhelming – gone are the days where we just needed to choose between plain or salted egg. Today there's a whole host of flavours out there, like durian, truffle, milk tea and many more. Save yourself the trouble this year – we've rounded up some of the best mooncakes out there.
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
Seriously, just look at this stunning box that will house Capitol Kempinski's 2020 mini mooncake selection. It doubles up as a multi-functional jewellery box that you can display and use afterwards! They've also introduced six exciting flavours of Mini Snowskin Mooncakes, the highlight being the rum-based Mini Snowskin Plantation 1840 ($78 for eight pieces) which sees the hotel’s signature cocktail transformed into an edible rendition.
Other indulgent Snowskin flavours include the Tiramisu ($78 for eight pieces), Valrhona 70% ($78 for eight pieces), Salted Caramel ($74 for eight pieces), Lychee Rose ($74 for eight pieces) and Mao Shan Wang Durian ($86 for eight pieces). Assorted mini Snowskin flavours are also available at $78 for eight pieces.
If you prefer traditional baked mooncakes, the flavours offered here include Pandan Paste with Melon Seeds ($70 for eight pieces), Red Bean Paste with Orange Peel ($74 for eight pieces), White Lotus Seed with Egg Yolk and reduced sugar ($78 for eight pieces) or with Macadamia Nuts and reduced sugar ($74 for eight pieces). Want to try them all? Then go for the Assorted Mini Baked Mooncake box ($74 for eight pcs).
The mooncakes are available for purchase through 1 October 2020. Order online, via WhatsApp at +65 9817 2750, or purchase in-person at the hotel.
Shangri-La Hotel
This year Shangri-La has collaborated with local artist and fashion designer Benny Ong to create a limited-edition, Peranakan-inspired gift box set ($78-$120 per set). Inside you’ll get four pieces of baked mooncakes filled with bak kwa, pork floss and nuts.
And making a comeback is Shang Palace’s Signature Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest ($120 for eight pieces). To further jazz up the festivities, there are also two boozy snowskin creations: Hennessy X.O. Chocolate Mini Snowskin Mooncake and Yuzu Sake Mini Snowskin Mooncake, both $88 for eight pieces.
Another unique offering is the Limited Edition Mini Vegan Mooncakes ($138 for eight pieces), The usual salted egg yolk middle is replaced with sweated pumpkin instead, and the ingredients are specially-curated to create this healthier plant-based option.
Shangri-La’s mooncakes are available from now until 1 October 2020. Order online, email [email protected], call +65 6213 4511 or purchase in-person.
Goodwood Park Hotel
It's a double celebration at Goodwood Park Hotel and fans can look forward to the return of their signature D24 Durian, Mao Shan Wang, and Black Thorn Durian Snowskin Mooncakes. And to mark their 120th anniversary, the hotel has also introduced the ultimate 120th Anniversary Mooncake ($108 each) that's 16.5cm wide and filled with white lotus seed paste and 12 salted egg yolks!
Some new creations also include the summery Orange with Grape ($37 for two) that's made with fresh orange juice and red grape slices embedded within a fruity mousse, as well as the Japanese Sweet Potato with Pumpkin-Coconut Centre ($41 for two) that features blended sweet potato and a pumpkin puree middle.
Purchase at the hotel or make your orders online (last pre-order date on 24 Sep 2020, 5pm). A minimum of $100 purchase is required for online pre-orders (delivery or self-collection) and 5 days advance order is required. Delivery fees apply.
Awfully Chocolate
Awfully Chocolate's 2020 mooncake selections comprises two distinct versions: Classic Baked Mooncakes and Chocolate Truffle Mooncakes.There is also a matching set of bespoke wooden chests. Each chest is hand-painted, one-of-a-kind and comes with reusable gold fork-knives.
And inside each chest of Classic Baked Mooncakes you'll get four different flavours, baked in either light golden Shanghai pastry or signature dark chocolate pastry ($88 per box). The new flavour this year is Six Treasure with White Lotus, inspired by the traditional “Five Nut” mooncake. Enjoy velvety white lotus with cranberries and golden fruit, hand-roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cashews and almonds wrapped in their signature dark cocoa mooncake pastry.
The Classic Baked Mooncakes also come individually packaged in brushed gold tins with engraved wooden lids, that doubles as a plate. These elegant keepsake chests can be kept as an accessory box!
The Chocolate Truffle Mooncakes series comes in four different luxury cacao flavours – Chocolate Autumn Berries, Matcha Dark Chocolate, Dark Milk Espresso and Caramel Calamansi. They are priced at $88 per box of eight, with 2 pieces of each flavour.
Pre-orders are now available online and at all Awfully Chocolate stores. Walk-in purchases will be available 1 Sep onwards at selected stores.
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
Crowne Plaza Hotel is putting a local spin on their mooncakes this year. Aside from the classic baked versions such as the white lotus paste, available in low-sugar – there’s also the new Nonya Mixed Nut ($70 for four pieces) that draws from Peranakan cuisine. Inside, you’ll find a mix of almonds, white sesame seeds, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and the iconic buah keluak.
The locally inspired line-up is also represented in its snowskin mooncakes ($74 for four pieces). Each is made based on a Singaporean dessert. There’s Mango Pomelo, made with bittersweet pomelo and tropical mango; Orh Nee that's stuffed with yam paste and ginkgo nuts; a Kueh Salat that comes with smooth custard underneath blue pea flower exterior; and Pandan Kaya made with pandan-infused coconut custard.
Available from now to 1 October 2020. Order here and enjoy 30% off mooncakes when you purchase online for self-collection.
Kele
Kele’s fruity snowskin mooncakes make for a lighter treat which is a nice change from the usual richer variants. It is recommended to defrost the mooncakes at room temperature for 15 minutes before consumption, but go for under 10 minutes if you like that ice cream-y texture!
The tropical flavours include Avocado Macadamia and Mulberry Cream Cheese ($68 for box of four) which are much too easy to finish in one sitting. In the Asian range box ($62 for box of four) you'll get one of each flavour: Strawberry Cream Cheese, Mango Cream Cheese, Adzuki Gula Melaka and Rose Cream Cheese. Like a little alcoholic kick in your mooncake? Then definitely go for their cocktail range which include Rum & Raisin and Lychee Martini flavours ($68 for box of four).
Make your order online!
Kam’s Roast
Travelling to Hong Kong might not be possible anytime soon, but you can definitely get your hands on Hong Kong-style mooncakes at one-Michelin-starred Kam’s Roast. Flavours include Red Dates Longan Mooncake, Almond Egg Custard Mooncake, and Coconut Egg Yolk Mooncake.
Crowd favourites such as Kam’s Roast Red Bean Orange Peel Mooncake and Kam’s Roast Assorted Nuts with Roast Duck Mooncake (yes, you read roast duck right) are also making a comeback. All mooncakes are available at $68 for six pieces and $10.80 per piece.
If you purchase the box of six, it will come in a Chinese imperial inspired gift box in royal colours that symbolises prosperity and good luck. There is also a surprise within the box – a unique repurposed porcelain coaster!
Available online and purchase in person at one of their outlets.
Crystal Jade
Crystal Jade keeps things simple and fuss-free with traditional mooncakes made with white lotus paste with single or double yolk (from $40.70 for two pieces) – all made with less sugar for a less sinful indulgence! You can also choose to order the mooncakes in a multi-functional two-tiered gift box that can double up as a storage box afterwards.
The petite snowskin mooncake collection ($72.80 for eight pieces) comes in modern flavours that will please both the kids and the adults. Flavours include the boozy Lychee Martini, Sea Salt Caramel for those who like it sweet and savoury, Taro is filled with a soft, smooth centre and Coconut that contains a decadent chocolate truffle surprise in the middle.
Order online here. Take note that three days advance order is required!