Just like that, mooncake season is upon us yet again (we know, it’s September already?!). We’ve been doing our fair share of mooncake sampling—or rather indulging—and have been thoroughly impressed by the sheer variety and quality of mooncakes this year. Here are the best of the best.
Andaz Singapore
Health-conscious foodies will definitely appreciate the hotel’s low sugar mooncake collection─the Andaz Baked Mooncake Quartet ($73). Inspiration was drawn from Singapore’s heritage, with classic flavors such as Low Sugar Pandan, Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk, Low Sugar Green Tea Lotus Paste and Mixed Nuts (Wu Ren).
Where to get them: Available online or at Andaz Singapore
Carlton Hotel
Signatures such as the addictive Mini Walnut Moontart ($66.30) or Mini “Mao Shan Wang” Durian Snowskin Mooncakes ($72.75) are always a hit at Carlton. We’re also loving the new Mini Gula Melaka Snowskin Mooncakes ($67.40), featuring a generous serving of gula melaka enveloped in crunchy white chocolate. Yum!
Where to get them: Available online or at booths in Carlton Hotel, Carlton City Hotel, Junction 8 and Tampines Mall.
Crystal Jade
Your kids will definitely be over the moon (no pun intended!) with Crystal Jade’s new Disney offering: the Mickey and Friends Musical Carousel Collection ($88 per box of 8). Featuring an exquisite carousel box, specially commissioned Disney designs and drool-worthy flavors like Chocolate Manuka honey, we daresay you’ll be begging for more.
Where to get them: Available online or at all Crystal Jade outlets.
Dean & DeLuca
Tradition and modernity meets with upmarket grocer Dean & DeLuca’s line of exquisite mooncakes ($68-$72 per box of 4). There are low-sugar options like their Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus or the Pandan Paste and Single Egg Yolk mooncakes, or just indulge in their Double Egg Yolk and White Lotus one and the special (and our favorite) Charcoal-Baked Mooncake with Black Sesame and Melon Seeds mooncake.
Where to get them: Available online or at all Dean & DeLuca outlets.
Fairmont Singapore
Over at Fairmont Singapore, it’s all about well-crafted flavors conceptualised by dim sum maven Chef Mandy Yeo. The Mini Salted Egg Caramel Snowskin Mooncake ($68 per box of 8) is a perfect blend of sweet and salty, whist the Baked Plum and Figs Mooncake ($68 per box of 4) comes baked in a satisfying golden crust.
Where to get them: Available online or at booth locations in Fairmont Singapore, Takashimaya and Vivocity.
Feng Shui Inn
No reason why your mooncake indulging should be unhealthy. Resorts World Sentosa’s Feng Shui Inn has handcrafted the Mid-Autumn Star ($78 per box of 6), a buttery baked creation substituting the traditional mooncake skin for premium Australian butter with custard, enveloping American ginseng blended with custard and white lotus paste. Now there’s a box to buy your grandma.
Where to get them: Available online or at Feng Shui Inn, Level G2 of Crockfords Tower, Resorts World Sentosa
The Fullerton Hotel
We Singaporeans just can’t get enough of our Milo Peng! Which is why we’re totally digging the hotel’s latest creation─a Milo Dinosaur Mooncake ($61 per box of 4) made of smooth milk lotus paste and crunchy pops of Milo. The Yuzu with Chia Seeds Snow Skin Mooncake ($61 per box of 4) is a refreshingly tangy alternative and worth trying too.
Where to get them: Available online, or contact The Fullerton Cake Boutique at 6877 8943 or [email protected]
Grand Hyatt
With all mooncakes delicately handmade by the hotel’s pastry chefs, and with intriguing flavors like Acai Berry Truffle (contains alcohol), Teh Tarik with Chocolate Truffle, and Green Apple and Basil with Trigona Honey Truffle (contains alcohol) available in snowskin, we’re definitely gonna get ourselves a box ($78 per box of 8) or two of these. They’ve got baked ones too, like Red Lotus Double-Yolk with Roasted Melon Seeds and White Lotus with Roasted Melon Seeds ($78 per box of 4).
Where to get them: Available online, or at mezza9 and at the Lobby Shop on the hotel’s ground floor.
Guinness
Yes, the renowned stout label has unveiled its own line of mooncakes this year. The beautiful black pieces of snowskin delights has coffee-flavored lotus paste surrounding a white chocolate shell, which in turn hides a Guinness-infused chocolate ganache. Biting into it reveals a malty-smooth taste perfect for lovers of the beer. The packaging it comes in also converts into a candle-holder, turning the entire box into a makeshift table lamp.
Where to get them: Available free with every purchase of 4x Guinness Draught in Can 4-pack (440ml) via Redmart or FairPrice On, or with a minimum spend of $90 on Guinness products at supermarkets including Fairprice, Cold Storage, Giant, Sheng Siong, and Prime.
Hilton Singapore
If you’re a traditional mooncake devotee, you’ll go gaga over Hilton’s collection of six baked mooncake flavors ($35 per set of 2; $62 per set of 4). Be spoilt for choice with favorites like Mixed Nuts and White Lotus (paired with single or double egg yolks), or new kids on the block like Purple Sweet Potato with Walnut.
Where to get them: Available at D9 Cakery in Hilton Hotel. Call 6730 3392 or email [email protected]
Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Another great choice for classic flavors synonymous with the mid-autumn festival. The Mandarin Collection set ($73 per box of 4) includes lip-smacking flavors that expertly blend sweet and savoury─Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico, Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste, Macadamia Nuts and Low Sugar White Lotus Paste and Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts.
Where to get them: Call 6831 6320 / 6262 or email [email protected]
Marina Bay Sands
Fashionistas─this one’s for you. Mooncakes here ($78 per box of 8 snowskin mooncakes or 4 traditional mooncakes) are encased within a stylish pink tote, which also doubles up as a chic hand-carry. As for flavors, expect fun, fruity creations like Strawberry Yoghurt Champagne and Passion Mango Yoghurt.
Where to get them: Available at SweetSpot (Marina Bay Sands’ Hotel Lobby Tower 3)
Old Seng Choong
Expect nothing but locally inspired innovation from heritage pastry label Old Seng Choong. Popular picks include the baked Wu Ren with Bakwa (using chicken bakkwa, $66.80 per box of 4) and the formidable Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin ($88 per box of 4), but for something new we’d recommend trying the five-seed-and-berry baked Longan with Wugu ($66.80 per box of 4), or the Four Heavenly Beauties—an alcohol-filled box of four snowskins: Brandy Cherry, Yuzu Martini, Bailey Whiskey with White Chocolate Pearl, and Rum & Raisin with Dark Chocolate Pearl ($68.80 for the box).
Where to get them: Available online, ot at Old Seng Choong in Clarke Quay Central
The Marmalade Pantry
This reliable brunch venue also brings its A-game when it comes to mooncakes. Cocktail connoisseurs can indulge in the Cocktail Collection (68 per box), which features Orange Whisky, Honeydew Dry Gin, Strawberry Vodka and Yuzu Sake. There’s also an alcohol-free variation ($58 per box) which replaces spirits with ingredients like gula melaka and white chocolate.
Where to get them: Available online, with collection at The Marmalade Pantry Petite, Downtown, and Novena
Hai Tien Lo (Pan Pacific Singapore)
A quartet of snowskin mooncake flavors debut this year, including Durian Gula Melaka, Cempedak and Lychee & Soursop (from $68.80 per box of 4). The restaurant’s Six-Course Mid-Autumn Reunion Set Menu ($138 per person) is another highlight, and comes with a complimentary box of Four Treasures Baked Mooncakes for every two diners.
Where to get them: Available online, at Hai Tien Lo, or contact 9009 5936/ [email protected]
Raffles Hotel
We have a soft spot in our hearts for Raffles Hotel’s classic Champagne Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncake, but other flavors are packing quite a punch too. Also part of the snowskin collection (all retailing for $72 per box of 8) is the brand new Acaí Berry and Chia Seeds Snow-Skin Mooncake. It’s yummy, savory and antioxidant-rich.
Where to get them: Available online or at various central locations.
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Mooncakes here are presented in elegant boxes with intricate imperial designs, making them perfect gifts for friends and family. Our favorite is Shangri-La’s Signature Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest collection ($118), made by Shang Palace Executive Chef Mok Kit Keung.
Where to get them: Available at Shangri-La Hotel, Shang Palace or pop-up shops at Takashimaya, VivoCity, Parkway Parade, Jurong Point, NEX, Suntec City and Chevron House.
Xin Cuisine
This Chinese restaurant gets onboard the healthy train with two new low-sugar snowskin mooncakes. One of which is the Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Hazelnut Crunch Mooncake ($60 per box of 6), featuring a chocolate center packed with crunchy morsels of hazelnut. For Durian lovers, the popular Xin’s Peranakan Durian Snowskin Mooncake ($60 per box of 6) is making a much-anticipated return too.
Where to get them: Available online or contact 6731 7173.
Yàn
Housed in the National Gallery, Yàn restaurant’s selection includes time-honoured favorites like the White Lotus Paste or Thousand Layer Yam Mooncake (both $62 per box of 4). The latter stands out for its earthy sweetness, subtle floral notes and crispy layered crust. Another charming offering is the Steamed Milk Custard Rabbit Bun, a nod to the mythical rabbit on the moon.
Where to get them: Contact [email protected] or call 6384 5585.
