Be spoilt for choice with mooncakes that are luxurious, nostalgic, or simply refreshing
Whether you have more traditional taste buds or love trying new flavours, it’s a mid-autumn custom to indulge in these round beauties.
With the plethora of choices, it’s tough to pick the right mooncake without piling on the calories. We help you by whittling them down to this selection, to suit various tastes or preferences.
Traditional Twist
Tropical Royals
Those who like their mooncakes fruity may want to try this pair of baked mooncakes. One features pure D24 durian pulp with white lotus seed paste and the other, bits of jackfruit embedded in white lotus seed paste. Our pick is the durian mooncake, which won us over with its fragrance and smooth flavour.
$45 for 2, Goodwood Park Hotel, www.goodwoodparkhotel.com
Also read: Food hits: What to try at Hotel Michael’s Palio
Chef’s Signature Pecan Maple Praline
The Chef’s Signature Pecan Maple Praline mooncake from Mandarin Oriental is a baked skin mooncake combining sweet and crunchy nuttiness, paired with the light fragrance of lotus paste. For a healthier pick, choose the traditional mooncake with low sugar silver lotus paste and double yolk. We can’t promise it’d make up for the other unhealthy mooncakes you’ll be eating.
$68 for 4, Mandarin Oriental, www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/
Nostalgic Playtime
Crunchy Milo Moon Gems
Our nation’s 50th birthday has inspired many culinary creations, including mooncakes. Swensen’s ice cream moon-cakes have become SG50 Moon Gems this year, featuring the Merlion. We enjoyed the Crunchy Milo, a nostalgic play on our favourite childhood drink, filled with marshmallows and crunchy almond.
$35.80 for 4, Swensen’s, www.swensens.com.sg
Also read: Toast to this $11 Spanish wine and tapas sets
Limited Edition Hello Kitty
Purrfect for the young and young at heart, these adorable Hello Kitty mooncakes come in a red case, which can double as a makeup box. We liked the Lotus with Cranberries best.
$59.80 for 6, Breadtalk, www.breadtalk.com.sg
A touch of Luxe
Black Truffle, Roasted Chestnut, Waxed Duck & Single Yolk with White Lotus Seed Paste Baked Mooncake
If you’re looking for a mid-autumn gift to impress, consider the luxurious, gold-dusted Black Truffle, Roasted Chestnut, Waxed Duck and Single Yolk with White Lotus Seed Paste Baked Mooncake. The visual impact of this creation is stunning and the aroma of the black truffle elevates the meaty flavour of the savoury duck.
$78 for 4, Marriott, www.singaporemarriott.com
Also read: Top 5 local dishes that Singaporeans love
Charcoal Snow Skin Mooncake with Truffle Oil Lotus Paste & Egg Yolk
Riding the waves of the truffle trend is the Charcoal Snow Skin Mooncake with truffle oil lotus paste and egg yolk. It is dressed in cool grey tones and is delicious — the rich and creamy texture of the salted egg yolk matched the aromatic truffle well.
While some may find the truffle fragrance a bit overpowering, we enjoyed every whiff.
$66 for 8, Mandarin Oriental, www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/
Moet & Chandon Gems
For a gift to move the toughest of clients or your mother-in-law, try the Moet & Chandon Imperial and Rose Imperial Champagne snowskin mooncakes. Nestled within each delicate mooncake is a Moet & Chandon infused truffle, wonderfully complementing the velvety-smooth lotus paste.
$128 for 4 including a bottle of Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne, www.crystaljade.com
Milk Chocolate with Lotus Seed Paste, Mixed Nuts, Pumpkin, Melon Seeds & Carrot
Fusing influences from East and West, this mooncake trio combines a fine layer of chocolate enveloping lotus seed paste and other oriental ingredients. We particularly liked the Milk Chocolate with Lotus Seed Paste, Mixed Nuts, Pumpkin and Melon Seeds and Carrot — the blend of nuts gave the mooncake a fragrant and addictive crunch. Its gift box with orchid motifs would also make a great centrepiece.
$116 for of 6, Shangri-La Singapore, www.shangri-la.com/singapore
Light & Refreshing
Mini Green Tea White Lotus Seed Paste with Yuzu Truffle Snow Skin Mooncake
If you’re tired of exotic or heavy flavours, keep it simple with the Mini Green Tea White Lotus Seed Paste with Yuzu Truffle Snow Skin Mooncake. The bittersweet green tea flavour melds nicely with the white lotus seed paste for a smooth finish, and pairs well with the citrus zest from the Yuzu.
$56 for 8, Sheraton Singapore, www.sheratonsingapore.com
Earl Grey & Baileys Truffle with White Lotus Paste
InterContinental’s Snowskin Tea collection will delight anyone looking for something refreshing. The aromatic blend of Earl Grey and Baileys Truffle lifts the flavours of the smooth lotus paste.
They come in a beautiful stacked tin box, featuring an illustration of the hotel’s façade, designed by local artist Jacqueline Goh.
$66 for 4, InterContinental Singapore, www.intercontinental.com/singapore
By Samantha Francis for Weekender Singapore
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