After Chinese New Year and Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day), the Mid-Autumn Festival is another significant event in Singapore. This year’s festival falls on Sep 17, which means now is the time to purchase some of these sinfully delicious mooncakes in beautifully designed (and often recyclable) packaging. It’s also when children can look forward to walking their neighbourhood after dark with their lanterns lit with either batteries or candles. For the rest of us, we’ll be nibbling on delicious mooncakes and sipping on pu’er tea. Look at what’s in store from now till Sep 17 at the following places.
Pan Pacific Singapore: Hai Tien Lo’s imaginative creations
View this post on Instagram
Hai Tien Lo’s renowned No. 1 Tea Baked Mooncake ($95 for four pieces) is back by popular demand, this time with the addition of melon seeds to complement the delicate flavours of the signature tea. It’s an indulgent experience for tea connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. Other baked mooncakes available are the new decadent Caramel Walnut Cocoa Mooncake ($95 for four pieces) alongside the classic Single Yolk White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake, and ever-popular Double Yolk White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake.
Snowskin mooncake lovers can indulge in the best-selling Mao Shan Wang Durian ($108 for four pieces) and the new Mango Pomelo flavours ($95 for four pieces). The elegant, imaginative creations of Hai Tien Lo come in red or gold boxes adorned with signature motifs.
For a truly luxurious touch, get the limited-edition Four Treasures Baked Mooncakes Premium Gift Set ($288) which includes a teapot set, a pack of Hai Tien No.1 Tea Leaves, and a bottle of Taittinger Brut Reserve Champagne. The set comes complete with a stylish Hai Tien Lo leatherette bag, making it an ideal gift for loved ones.
Hai Tien Lo’s mooncakes are available for pre-order till Aug 8 and ready for purchase from Aug 9 here.
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore: Peach Blossom’s new taste sensations
Executive chef Edward Chong introduces new flavours inspired by Peach Blossoms and its signature peach oolong tea. The Charcoal Peach Long Jing with Okinawa Brown Sugar Mochi offers a vibrant fruitiness of peaches combined with fragrant notes of Long Jing tea and Okinawa brown sugar. The Mung Bean and Red Bean Symphony is well balanced with a subtle savoury note influenced by kai zai paeng (kampar chicken biscuits).
For those looking for a taste of everything, the Delightful Four Collection includes one each of Charcoal Peach Long Jing with Okinawa Brown Sugar Mochi and Double Yolk with White Lotus Paste ($9.80 each) as well as Mung Bean and Red Bean Symphony and Single Yolk with White Lotus Paste ($9.50 each). These also come packaged in the Celestial Lantern Box ($208.80) that comes with a lantern you can use a bedside lamp or vanity drawer. As a bonus, those who purchase this will also receive Peach Blossoms dining vouchers worth $200.
The Delightful Four Collection is also available in the Blossoms Pavilion Box ($98) inspired by the iconic sculptural pavilions in the hotel. Afterwards, use it as an organiser for tea bags or stationery.
Orders can be made here. An early bird discount of 25 percent is available till Aug 18, and 20 percent from Aug 19 to Sep 17.
Si Chuan Dou Hua: The art of pairing mooncakes with Chinese tea
The restaurant showcases the myriad flavours of mooncakes paired with premium Chinese tea. The seasonal gift box includes a set of four mooncakes, a cylinder of Premium Grade Anxi Tie Guan Yin tea, and a travel-sized Chinese Gong Fu tea set (from $148). The tea is a lightly fermented oolong tea harvested from Fujian province with a rich and honeyed aroma and a silky, smoky flavour that gently complements the subtle sweetness of lotus paste mooncakes. The accompanying Chinese Gong Fu tea set, comprising a master mug, strainer and two dainty teacups, is the perfect tool to get guests started on the ancient tea ritual.
Available for purchase from now to Sep 17. Order them here. UOB Cardmembers enjoy 30 percent discount.
Cat & the Fiddle
Cat & the Fiddle introduces its first-ever baked mooncake collection themed “The Moonstellation”, a constellation of unique flavours with traditional mung bean and lotus paste as its foundation. Every mooncake is distinguished by an adorable cat hugging the full moon. There is the nutty and savoury Parmesan Mooncake with Yolk Lava; Pistachio Mochi Mooncake; Hazelnut Mooncake; and Chocolate Lava Mooncake with a gooey chocolate centre. Each baked mooncake set is presented in a chic blue or red bag, making it a great gift for family and friends.
From now until Aug 31, enjoy 30 percent off on pre-orders of the baked mooncake sets. Order them here.
Conrad Centennial Singapore: Reinventing classics
The classics, reimagined is how Conrad Centennial Singapore is commemorating this Mooncake Festival with two new baked mooncakes to expand its formidable repertoire. Joining well-worn classics like the Baked Single Yolk in White Lotus Paste and Baked Double Yolk mooncakes are the new Black Sesame with Melon Seeds and Traditional Baked with Premium South Jujube Dates. Not to be forgotten is its accompanying quartet of snowskin flavours, ranging from the luxurious Royal Hazelnut Crunch to the tea-centric Hojicha with Kinako Truffle, creamy Purple Ube Yam and locavore Ondeh Ondeh with Gula Melaka. Available in various sets (from $92), including a luxe cream-coloured leatherette box for gifting and a limited-edition bag.
Early bird promotion of 35 percent off available now to Aug 18. Order here.
Conrad Singapore Orchard: Traditional tea rituals inspire new creations
Conrad Singapore Orchard’s one-Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Summer Palace presents a regal update to its decadent snowskin mooncake flavours inspired by traditional tea rituals and the more novel tea-tails, as in tea cocktails. New on the menu this year are the Lychee Oolong Chocolate, Almond Chocolate with Pear Cognac, Red Date Tea with Aged Mandarin Peels and Lemon Red Tea, bolstering a mini mooncake collection laden with popular tastes like Black Sesame Paste and the indefatigable Mao Shan Wang Durian. Get the entire collection in the Summer Palace Snowskin Collection Box ($95 for eight pieces), or its equally weighty sister offering in the Summer Palace Classic Treasures box filled with its repertoire of traditional baked mooncakes ($98 for four pieces).
Early bird promotion of 35 percent off available now to Aug 18. Order here.
Crowne Plaza Changi Airport: Unique snow skin flavours and baked treats
The pretty pastel snow skin mooncakes combine Eastern traditions with Western aromas in unique flavours: Pistachio with Hazelnut Truffle, Cinnamon Apple Strudel with Cream Cheese and Apple Truffle, Creme Brulee with Vanilla Truffle, and Matcha with Sakura Truffle. These are $83 for four in a limited-edition Sky Blossom box.
The baked mooncakes, available four to a box, are a treat. They include White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk ($80), White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk ($83), Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts ($80), Mixed Nuts ($83), and the Assorted Baked Mooncake Collection ($83). Vintage packaging evokes the warmth of autumnal journeys with its vibrant orange and earthy brown accents.
Order your mooncakes here for collection and delivery from Aug 12.
Crystal Jade: Collaborative chocolate-y creations
This year, Crystal Jade joins hands with Lemuel Chocolate in the crafting of two out of four of its new snowskin creations. Expect flavours tinged with artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate and a healthy dose of iconic Singaporean tastes. There’s the Chendol Chocolate Bon Bon, which plays on the local dessert by presenting red beans, gula melaka caramel and pandan chocolate ganache in a shell of Lemuel’s 70 percent dark chocolate, as well as the Kopi C Chocolate Bon Bon, which sees a Robusta coffee caramel and evaporated milk paired with a punchy 72 percent dark chocolate. For something lighter, the other two new snowskin gems turn toward Chinese desserts and beverages with the South Jujube Red Dates with Goji Berry and Golden Chrysanthemum with Osmanthus and Melon Seed. These are available as a box of four for $48, or eight for $78.
Selected cardholders and Crystal Jade Jadeite members get 25 percent off until Aug 19, then 18 percent off until Sep 17. Additional eight percent off with promo code <M24T8> on e-store. Order here.
Fairmont Singapore: Timeless artistry
Hidden within a faux wooden box delicately adorned with a gold motif print of Anjou pear flowers is Fairmont Singapore’s harvest of artistic mooncake creations. Pay special notice to the new additions to its snowskin collection, which include the bold new Whiskey Orange for its quartet of alcohol-infused offerings and the Matcha Pistachio and Yuzu Pear for the non-alcoholic ones. Though available in a host of configurations, the only way you’ll get to sample the lot is through the eight-piece mixed box which costs $118.
Selected cardholders and Accor members get up to 30 percent off until Sep 9, then up to 10 percent off until Sep 16. Order here.
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore: Jiang-Nan Chun’s elevated gems
Cantonese restaurant Jiang-Nan Chun at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore offers perennial favourites and new, limited-edition baked and snowskin gems such as Black Sesame with White Lotus ($98 for four pieces), and Assorted Nuts with X.O. Shrimp ($96 for four pieces), inspired by Jiang-Nan Chun’s signature X.O. sauce. Also making their debut are Almond Bird’s Nest with silky custard ($98 for four pieces) and a bird’s nest centre, and Osmanthus White Peach ($96 for four pieces).
They come in a set of four baked or eight snow skin mooncakes, and are cradled within an elegant two-tiered chest available in two colours – a limited-edition Chilli Red or Forest Green.
Get 25 percent off baked and snow skin mooncakes from now to Aug 11. Order them here. They will be ready for collection or delivery from Aug 1 to Sep 17.
Goodwood Park Hotel: A grand collection
This year’s creations are a masterful showcase of tradition and innovation. Headlining the collection is the invigorating Kumquat Melon with Macadamia snowskin mooncake, and White Lotus Seed & Red Bean Paste with Pork Floss & Single Yolk baked mooncake. Plus, the highly anticipated Durian Combo returns with four exquisite durian variants – Mao Shan Wang, D88, Phoenix and the new Golden Dragon, a tribute to the year of the Wood Dragon. Can’t decide? Get the Durian Combo ($120) which comprises each variant.
Order via the Festive Online Shop here for self- pick-up or deliveries from Aug 10 to Sep 17. Five days’ advance notice is required for pre- orders. Last pre-order date is 12 September 2024.
InterContinental Singapore: Moonlit elegance by Man Fu Yuan
At Cantonese restaurant Man Fu Yuan, the Mid-Autumn Festival is always a time for tastebud-renewing adventure. There are four snowskin flavours, including Golden Peach and Pumpkin Seed with Lychee Chocolate Truffle and Black Sesame Seeds with Passionfruit Chocolate Truffle. Also try the Low Sugar Red Lotus Seed Paste with Single Yolk and Assorted Nuts with Plant-based Ham. Their leatherette boxes have handles and two inner layers in delicate hues, Blush Elegance and Ivory Opulence, that won’t look out of place on your dresser or desk.
A limited-edition InterContinental Negroni Lychee Chocolate Truffle Mini Snow Skin Mooncake in a turquoise metal tin with the iconic hotel facade holds eight new mini bites for $108, while the Grand Luxe Premium Box mooncake set ($198) consists of four assorted baked mooncakes, a tea set with golden cutlery and Man Fu Yuan Five-element tea.
Available here for collection or delivery. Take advantage of the Grand Luxe Premium Box early bird promotion till Aug 15. Use the code <MCKP15> to enjoy 15 percent savings. Walk-in purchases are at the Level 1 side entrance of InterContinental Singapore from Bugis Junction.
Janice Wong: Heavenly chocolate creations
Janice Wong Mooncake Collection 2024 features three types of all-time favourites – Signature Chocolate, low-sugar Baked, and Snowskin – all housed in a custom-designed limited-edition handbag and a metallic tin. Chocolate Mooncakes ($95 for eight pieces) include flavours like Peanut Gingerflower, Salted Caramel Cashew, Vanilla Biscoff and an alcoholic flavour, Gula Lapis Whisky Old Fashioned.
Low-sugar Baked Mooncakes ($95 for eight pieces) are a great option for those watching their waistlines. The four varieties are Kuromitsu Sea Salt, Kinako Macadamia, Raspberry Almond with Azuki paste, and Pistachio. Then there are the snowskin options, made with fresh ingredients flown directly from Japan. Flavours include Sweet Potato Cashew, Hojicha Chestnut Coffee, Hinako Macadamia and Matcha Yuzu.
Enjoy 10 percent off from Aug 16 to 30. Order here.
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach: Lunar-centric mooncakes
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach’s mooncakes call back to the roots of the festival’s traditions with a moon-inspired collection. There are both traditional baked mooncakes ($98 for a box of four) – with new offerings like Chrysanthemum with Melon Seeds and the Wu Ren Mixed Nuts with Chinese Ham – alongside delicate snowskin creations to enjoy ($98 for a box of eight). In the latter category, you or your lucky business partners can enjoy novel tastes like the Tiramisu with Matcha Pistachio Truffle and the Osmanthus Paloma, among others. Either of these can be bought in two exclusive mooncake boxes for 2024 – the oriental-themed Harmony Blooms adorned with prosperity-bringing peonies, or the Heritage Charm, mixing heritage and elegance.
Selected cardholders enjoy up to 25 percent off from now to Sep 17. Order here.
La Levain: Cantonese delights made with international ingredients
La Levain follows up on the previous year’s flaky Teochew mooncakes and snowskin creations by introducing a collection of the more popular Cantonese ones. Their all-new flavours – inspired by produce and ingredients from across the globe – include Maple with Valrhona Dulce De Leche, Chocolate with Hokkaido Milk and Mochi, Uji Matcha with Valrhona Yuzu Chocolate, and the more traditional White Lotus with Yolk, all brushed with gold dust for extra pizazz. These will be available at $88 (or $92 if you opt for the fancy reusable tin).
Order here.
Mandarin Oriental: Tea-infused creations
A medley of traditional baked mooncakes and snowskin gems are housed in exquisitely designed boxes adorned with elegant floral accents, resembling the wall mural that frames up the reception area in the hotel lobby. The traditional baked mooncake gift box comes with a single or two-tiered drawer, and the snowskin mooncake tin box can be repurposed as keepsake storage to house accessories and trinkets.
As for the mooncakes, all-time favourite Cherry Garden Four Treasures set features baked tea-infused creations, one made with Exceptionally Singapore tea blend and another featuring a tropical tea infusion comprising hibiscus with coconut flakes. They are presented together with Low Sugar White Lotus Paste mooncakes with single and double egg yolks.
Snowskin flavours include Mango Pomelo; Lychee Longjing Tea; Red Bean with Pineapple; Purple Sweet Potato with Black Sesame; Roselle with Cranberry; and Brown Sugar Ginger Tea with Longan.
Available now till Sep 17. Order them here.
Old Seng Choong: New treats with time-tested faves
Homegrown brand Old Seng Choon is ushering in the new with the old this year. Fans will be able to enjoy its well-worn creations like the baked Black Truffle Bak Kwa and White Lotus Paste with Yolk Blend along with newer entrants into the fold. We’re talking newfangled flairs like Nori Wasabi, Bird’s Nest with Red Date Goji and Black Sesame Yolk with Olive Kernel to intrigue and unite various generations in the sampling of scrumptious mooncakes. These will all be available as a set of six (from $66.80) in a fancy three-tiered box beautifully adorned with peony flowers and crane birds, with a complimentary limited-edition Old Seng Choong-branded Lunar Bear to boot.
Early bird promotion of 20 percent off available now to Aug 30. Order here.
Paul Singapore: Flavourful moon tarts
Not mooncakes but moon tarts. Paul offers four new flavours: Dark Treasure with 70 percent dark chocolate ganache and gold dust; Forever Summer with pistachio almond cream, pineapple and mango curd in a white chocolate shell; Matcha Mochi, a matcha chocolate moon tart shell with chewy mochi and smooth matcha ganache; and Five-Star Sensation with sesame, black sesame, walnut, sunflower, white melon seeds and white chocolate.
Online pre-orders must be made two days in advance here. Available for delivery and self-collection from Sep 1 at all Paul outlets islandwide, excluding Changi Airport. There is a 20 percent early bird discount until Aug 31 with the promo code <EARLYBIRD20>.
Raffles Hotel Singapore: New snowskin delights
Raffles Hotel Singapore’s selection of snowskin mooncakes features three new interesting flavours: Guojiao 1573 Baijiu Black Sesame Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake ($108); Chestnut & Tahitian Vanilla with Rum Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake ($97); and Sudachi & Blueberry with Gin Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake ($97). All are available in a four-piece tin box.
For someone extra-special, there is the 2024 Premium Baked Mooncake Box ($228), which also comes with four porcelain side plates adorned with hand-painted flowers inspired by the moon’s ethereal beauty, gold-plated dessert forks, and a gold-plated dessert knife.
Order the mooncakes here.
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel: Novel and sophisticated with a touch of tradition
Five new novel flavours are available at award-winning Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, including Imperial “Long Jing” Tea with Pecan Nuts; and Rose Lotus Paste with Golden Raisins and Macadamia Nuts baked mooncakes ($90 for four pieces). Assorted Baked Mooncakes ($92 for four pieces) include classics like White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk and Single Yolk.
Snowskin Mooncakes in sets of eight include Sea Salt Walnut with Pistachio Matcha Praline ($90); Blueberry with Blackcurrant Praline ($94); Rose Tea with Rosé Champagne Praline ($94), and Assorted Snowskin Mooncakes ($92).
Gold peony embellishments symbolise heartfelt best wishes, goodwill, and joy on this year’s gift boxes. Choose between the Red Gift Box or the limited-edition Premium Gift Set ($248) which holds a bottle of Taittinger Brut Reserve (375ml) and four mooncakes. Both can double as jewellery boxes or daily essentials storage.
Enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 25 percent plus 10 percent off from now till Sep 17. Order them here.
Shangri-La Singapore: Creative and luxurious
This year’s limited-edition showstoppers include a special collaboration with Bynd Artisan ($156 for four pieces) where the velvet box can be transformed in a jewellery and trinket box after the festivities. Inside houses Shang Palace Red Date Pumpkin Seed with Bird’s Nest Mooncakes by executive chef Daniel Cheung.
Origin Bar’s Mid-Autumn Gift Set ($128) of six mini baked mooncakes draws inspiration from its newly launched Infinity menu. For example, Mini Milk Lotus with Strawberry and Citrus is inspired by the Eyes Scream Cocktail. Each set includes a bottle of Voyager Negroni Cocktail in a silver stainless steel hip flask.
The Kid’s Mooncake Building Set ($59) allows the little ones to build their own mooncake box. Once painted, the box can be used as a stand for books, a drawing board, or a tablet holder. Plus, each set comes with a Mini Chocolate Moon Tart.
The Shangri-La Mooncake Selection Gift Box ($149) features three pieces each of these exquisite flavours: 50-year Aged Mandarin Peel, Rose and Red Bean Paste; 50-year Aged Mandarin Peel, Osmanthus and Red Bean Paste; and 50-year Aged Mandarin Peel, Yuzu and Red Bean Paste Mooncakes.
Then there are returning favourites such as Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin Mooncakes ($99 for eight pieces) in a two-tiered red tin box, and the new Black Sesame with Walnut Baked Mooncake ($88 for four pieces).
Available for purchase online here and in the hotel’s mooncake specialty counter at the Tower Wing lobby.
Swensen’s: An out-of-this-world experience
Swensen’s new moon ice cream cakes ($68.80, 940g) are unlike any other mooncakes, resembling, well, the actual moon complete with craters and all. The Super Moon Ice Cream Cake is a nod to the orangey-red glow of the spectacular space rock in actual supermoon events. Beyond the golden chocolate shell is Swensen’s iconic Sticky Chewy Chocolate ice cream and a decadent salted egg yolk bon bon as its core.
The Micro Moon Ice Cream Cake pays homage to micromoon events when the full moon is at the point furthest to us during its orbit around the Earth, hence appearing smaller. Its silver chocolate shell encases Cookies ‘N’ Cream ice cream with a savoury salted egg yolk bon bon at the satellite’s centre.
Available till Sep 17 at all Swensen’s and Earle Swensen’s outlets, Swensen’s e-Store and on GrabFood, FoodPanda and Deliveroo.
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore: New mini baked mooncakes flavours
Featuring traditional baked mooncakes and innovative snowskin wonders, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore collection caters to both classic and modern palates. Petite mooncakes come in a premium two-tier box ($95 to $106 for eight pieces) embossed with gold and decorated with colourful floral patterns. The Premium Collection offers a three-tier gift set ($188 to $198 for eight pieces) with a Mist Valley tea set and Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve champagne.
New this year are Black Sesame Paste with Egg Yolk and Lava Custard Mini Baked Mooncakes with a slightly flaky crust in the baked category and Yuzu Osmanthus and Mocha Baileys Mini Snow skin Mooncakes. Each flavour is available individually or can be mixed and matched.
Order The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore’s mooncakes from now till Sep 17 for self-collection or delivery from Aug 5 here. Enjoy 25 percent off until Aug 3.
Yan: Century-old traditions
From now till Sep 17, Yan showcases a delightful collection of classic baked and new snowskin mooncakes, available in sets of two and four. These are housed in individual fuchsia pink boxes, within a soft pink satin drawstring bag. For an eco-friendly touch, the mooncake boxes will be placed in a base without a cover, and the drawstring bag may be reused. Each box boasts a holographic print of Yan’s representative motifs, including their logo, swallows, and a peony.
Vegetarians will like the new Baked Red Bean Paste with Melon Seed Mooncake ($40 for two pieces), while the 8-piece Mini Gin Chocolate Truffle Snow Skin Mooncake ($84) will thrill spirited fans, created with renowned Japanese gin brand Roku. And of course, there are the classics, Thousand Layer Yam and Mao Shan Wang Durian Snow Skin Mooncakes.
Available for delivery and collection from Aug 19 to Sep 17. Order there here. Orders can also be placed directly with staff at Yan, located at level 5 of National Gallery Singapore, or via WhatsApp 8198 3398.
Yan’s Dining: Savoury Shanghainese bakes
Yan’s Dining delights with a selection of savoury Shanghainese mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festivities. Start off with the entry-level classic that is the Fresh Pork Mooncake ($27 for a box of six), or go for premium options like the Mala Lobster, Salted Egg Yolk Pickled Mustard with Fresh Pork (both $33 for six). If you’re trying to impress the in-laws, the Premium Abalone & Crab Meat with Fresh Pork ($60, order at restaurant only) could be just the thing. The above are also available in various gifting configurations, as are the usual selection of traditional baked Cantonese mooncakes.
Orders must be made at least three days in advance. Order here.
Text by Sandra Campbell, Alvin Lim and Nida Seah.
Original published date: Aug 2, 2024.
