Mid-Autumn Festival 2023: The best mooncakes in Singapore to sweeten your festivities

Although Ralph’s Coffee has only just opened its doors, it’s already jumping on board the hype with its own line of mooncakes. Six handcrafted mini mooncakes are available, with flavours like egg custard lava and coffee lava.. The latter is locally crafted with the brand’s signature Ralph’s Roast coffee blend. Available for pre-order from August 4 and running until September 29, the mooncake set comes in an adorable miniature trike, making it a wonderful collector’s item for coffee-lovers and the young at heart alike. 

Buy it at Ralph’s Coffee, 2 Bayfront Avenue, 01-71, S(018972)

Read more: From specialty coffee to soft serve: What you need to try at Ralph’s Coffee

For lovers of traditional baked mooncakes, get your mooncake fix at 5 on 25, Andaz Singapore’s prized Cantonese restaurant. Created by pastry chef Francis Wong, Andaz’s brand new mooncake flavours, available from August 1 to September 29, are far from boring.  The Citrus Surprise, a mix of caramel, miso, and yuzu white chocolate, is an explosive blend of zest and umami, while the Gula Galore elevates lotus paste with gula melaka, a tribute to traditional Malay kueh. Part of an assorted set—which also features Chinese head chef Lim Hong Lih’s traditional signature tea blend (osmanthus, oolong, and pu’er) and “Silver Lotus++” (with two egg yolks)—the mooncakes will be encased in an exclusive two-tier box inspired by the shophouses within Andaz’s neighbourhood of Kampong Glam. 

Buy it at andazsg.whyqueue.shop.

Glenfiddich's commitment to innovation in whisky-making and a reinvention of tradition is showcased in their new mooncake offerings, inspired by their Solera Fifteen and Small Batch Eighteen single malt Scotch whiskies. Each set includes two whisky-infused snow skin mooncakes: the Glenfiddich Solera 15 Mooncake and the Glenfiddich Small Batch 18 Mooncake. These mooncakes emphasise simplicity and delicate flavours, allowing the unique characteristics of each expression to shine through.

The Glenfiddich Solera 15 Mooncake boasts a rich, roasted finish with lingering sweetness, mirroring the qualities of its liquid counterpart. It features a creamy dark chocolate and raspberry filling enveloping a Glenfiddich 15 Year Old whisky-infused chocolate praline and fresh cream, offering a complex flavor journey of honeyed, spiced, and nutty notes. Meanwhile, the Glenfiddich Small Batch 18 Mooncake is inspired by the Glenfiddich 18 Year Old and offers a balanced, full-bodied profile with hints of nuttiness. These mooncakes come in a premium gift box adorned with the iconic Glenfiddich stag, combining modern design with elements of tradition, nature, and the moon to celebrate and reinvent this culinary tradition.

Buy it at since1887.sg

The Mid-Autumn Festival is not complete without Raffles Hotel Singapore’s baked mooncakes, which come in a set of four encased in an intricately designed premium box. Available from August 9 to September 29, the set comes with classic white lotus paste mooncakes, with options for single or double yolks and fillings which include macadamia and pine nuts for an extra crunch. Accompanied by a can of first flush longjing tea and imperial pu’er tea, this is the perfect mooncake set for gifting. If you’re a fan of Raffles Hotel’s signature snowskin mooncakes, its signature flavours like champagne truffle are joined by new offerings like yam and coconut rum truffle and sakura and raspberry truffle. 

Buy it at rafflescelebrations.com.sg/.

Long a favourite in Singapore’s Chinese dining scene, Hai Tien Lo’s lineup of mooncakes will please both traditionalists and snowskin lovers. Take the Four Treasures Baked Mooncake gift set, which stars an exquisite No. 1 Tea Baked Mooncake, blending tea and herbal ingredients for a robust and elegant flavour. Elsewhere, indulge in exciting new snowskin flavours alongside Hai Tien Lo’s classic Mao Shan Wang durian, including the yam paste White Rabbit candy ganache, strawberry paste tea ganache, orange paste matcha ganache, and gula melaka paste with desiccated coconut ganache. Available for purchase from August 18 to September 29.

But it at panpacificsingapore.oddle.me/en_SG.

Intricately crafted by master chefs, the mooncakes at one-Michelin-starred Summer Palace are a sight to behold. From August 15 to September 29, get your hands on the snowskin mooncakes featuring flavours like black sesame paste and Mao Shan Wang durian. For more contemporary flavours, cast your gaze to exquisite new creations like the lemon mascarpone chocolate with blue pea tea, as well as coconut chocolate with black glutinous rice. If you prefer traditional mooncakes, don’t fret—Summer Palace also has a collection of four baked mooncakes, including a savoury parma ham and pork floss mooncake with assorted nuts, bringing an innovative punch to the traditional delicacy. 

Buy it at summerpalace.oddle.me/. 

Those with a taste for tradition but are worried about sugar will love the Shang Palace Four Treasures box, which stands out for being a health-conscious option. Each of the three white lotus paste mooncakes—available in double yolks, single yolk and plain variants—are baked with reduced sugar. The final mooncake flavour is yam with shredded coconut and black sesame, providing pleasantly earthy and nutty flavours that pair perfectly with tea. 

Buy it at bit.ly/SLSMooncake2023.

Innovation sings at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, which is releasing five new mooncake flavours from August 24 to September 29 across its lineup of  traditional baked and snowskin mooncakes. Take the new golden black truffle baked mooncake, which steals the spotlight with its gold-dusted charcoal skin, pistachio and parma ham for a burst of savouriness. Another highlight is the Imperial “Long Jing” tea with walnuts, which stars  delightful herbaceous tea notes. Citrus and coffee fans, don’t miss out on the yuzu honey with peach passionfruit praline snowskin mooncake, which refreshes the palate with a balanced zest, or the Irish cream latte with Baileys praline snowskin mooncake for a boozy twist. 

Buy it at celebratorydelights.com/mooncakes/. 

If you’re looking for mooncakes with a taste of local tradition, head to Crowne Plaza Changi Airport from now to September 26, where you’ll be treated to flavours like the Teochew taro lotus snowskin mooncake, a delightful rendition of the classic orh nee dessert with gingko nuts. Also unique are the ondeh ondeh snowskin mooncake bursting with the deep aromas of palm sugar and grated coconut, and the gula melaka walnut latte baked mooncake. And if you’re looking for classic white lotus paste mooncakes, Crowne Plaza also has you covered with low sugar, single yolk, and double yolk options. 

Buy it at bit.ly/crowneplaza-mooncakes. 

For an effortless blend of tradition and modernity, head down to the Four Seasons Hotel from August 7 to September 29 for your mooncake fix, which is releasing mooncakes crafted by Chinese restaurant Jiang Nan-Chun and Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Nobu. House signatures are channelled into mooncake form with flavours like assorted nuts with smoked duck, an homage to Jiang Nan-Chun’s mesquite wood-roasted Peking duck. Or go for Nobu’s miso, cranberry and white chocolate snowskin mooncake, which presents a harmonious blend of umami, sweetness and acidity. 

Buy it on shop-fssingapore.myshopify.com/pages/mid-autumn-festival. 

In case you missed it: Chef Nobu Matsuhisa on the Timeless Appeal of Nobu, and Why Gourmands Keep Coming Back

If you love tea, make sure to get your hands on Li Bai’s two new tea-infused mooncakes from now till September 29. One of them is the white lotus seed oolong tea paste mooncake, dashed with sunflower seeds for a sweet yet earthy treat. For those more into snowskin, taste the mini-chrysanthemum, which incorporates  floral aromas into the classic treat. Other flavours available include the champagne and lychee martini snowskin mooncakes, as well as the white lotus paste seed mooncake in single and double yolk.

Buy it at shopatsheratonfestive.oddle.me/.

Taking inspiration from the Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s Republic bar, Summer Pavilion is releasing a new lineup of alcohol-themed mini snowskin mooncakes. Its new Irish coffeetini mooncake, for one, takes after Republic’s Kim Sisters cocktail with a dark chocolate truffle spiked with Irish cream liqueur, and encased within a white lotus paste mooncake. Other flavours like green tea and durian will be available too. Presented in luxurious leather-woven mooncake vanity boxes that come with a Ritz Carlton bag tag and a shoulder chain, Summer Pavilion’s mooncake sets are perfect for the mooncake lover on the go. 

Buy it at www.summerpavilion.oddle.me/. 

Luxury bakery Janice Wong has released not one, not two, but three eclectic mooncake lineups to brighten up your Mid-Autumn Festival, available for pre-order from now till September 15. The first, titled “Childhood Memories: Signature Chocolate Mooncakes”, embraces the indulgence of chocolate with flavours like salted pecan dark chocolate or coffee chocolate, while its Japan-inspired baked mooncakes range fulfills Singapore’s Japan addiction with flavours like Kuromitsu sea salt and pistachio with green tea bean paste. Those who love snowskin will love its selection of picturesque floral snowskin mooncakes, such as the lavender apricot and the rose, which is made with real flower petals folded in. 

Buy it at janicewong.online/. 

Beloved café The Marmalade Pantry is presenting two mooncake gift sets perfect for the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. Available for pre-order from now and running until September 29, the first set, Marmalade Mix, features new flavours such as taro coconut with red bean, red lotus and black sesame with pecan, and Assam tea and Hokkaido milk with raisin. The second, the Classic Collection, keeps it simple and traditional with four pieces of white lotus paste double yolk mooncakes. Even better, the gift sets double as jewellery boxes so they can be reused for organising your watches, necklaces, rings, and bracelets. 

Buy it at bit.ly/TMPMidAutumn2023.

Experiential gifting concept brand Bynd Artisan is collaborating with Sunday Folks to create an exclusive set of mooncakes for the third consecutive year. Titled “Tùgether in Harmony”, after the Chinese character for “rabbit”, the collaboration sees a set of six adorable rabbit-shaped mooncakes encased in a stylish faux leather weaved basket. Even better, this year's collaboration has resulted in two new flavours, a yuzu custard and a lava custard, for a delectable mid-autumn treat.

Buy it at sundayfolks.com or byndartisan.com.

Beloved Chinese restaurant Peach Blossoms has come up with a set of exquisite baked mooncakes this Mid-Autumn Festival, each crafted specially be executive chef Edward Chong. Traditionalists will love his take on white lotus paste mooncakes, while those who prefer a fruitier version will appreciate the lychee and wolfberry mooncake. A charcoal mooncake steals the spotlight, however, which charcoal black sesame paste and melon seeds and showered with gold dust, and if you're looking for a non-traditional mooncake, indulge in the savoury assorted nuts mooncake with chicken ham. Coming in a box replete with botanical motifs designed to double as an accessories box, the Mid-Autumn Festival is incomplete without Peach Blossoms's mooncakes.

Buy it at parkroyalcollectionmooncakes.oddle.me/en_SG/.

Making its first foray into mooncakes is Mott 32, the famed Chinese restaurant originating from Hong Kong, with the debut of four exquisite mooncake flavours. Regulars at the restaurant will surely recognise its signature bamboo green forest dessert in the “Matcha Forest” mooncake, dyed an elegant shade of green, with the earthy flavours of matcha balanced with the citrus of yuzu. And if you’re a fan of Mott 32’s cocktails, you’ll see one of its most popular yuzu-umeshu cocktails come to life in mooncake form, with a powerful concoction of gin, bourbon, plum, and yuzu. Don’t miss out on the mango coconut mooncake or the luxurious chrysanthemum red date mooncake, available to order from now until September 29.

Available to order at marinabaysands.com/restaurants/mott32.

Also making his mooncake debut this season is chef-owner Kenjiro Hashida, who has created two special snowskin mooncakes in honour of his eponymous restaurant’s tenth anniversary. Blending Japanese and Chinese tradition, Hashida presents a sakura blossom mooncake with sakura petals folded into a Japanese white bean paste, as well as a lemon nasu mooncake, which blends Japanese eggplant with lemon, honey, and white bean paste for the ultimate velvety texture.

Available to order at sevenrooms.com/explore/hashidasingapore/ordering/pickup.

Egg custard mooncakes have become a tradition at The Peninsula, and this year is no different, with the addition of two new flavours. Indulge in two variants of the mini chocolate egg custard mooncakes—one with an egg custard and toffee filling, and the other with a chocolate brownie egg custard. If you prefer fruity profiles, opt for the mini fruity egg custard mooncakes, which come in two flavours—strawberry, and mango and passionfruit.

Available to order at peninsulaboutique.oddle.me. 

One of Singapore’s most esteemed bars, Manhattan is collaborating with Roku Gin and Summer Palace to present a selection of mini snowskin mooncakes. Sporting a striking bold look with charcoal skin and gold dust, each lotus paste mooncake hides a chocolate ganache with a core of Roku gin for a cheeky breath of indulgence. Also encased within Manhattan’s collectible box is a bottled Purple Moon cocktail, a powerful concoction of Roku gin, banana wine, sweet potato, whey syrup, and hazelnut tincture, specially crafted by Manhattan. With only 200 sets available until September 29, you'll have to move quickly to get your hands on one.

Available to order at summerpalace.oddle.me

The beauty of florals is captured in Gardens by the Bay’s first ever mooncake lineup, made in partnership with the Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Rose and chrysanthemum are the flavours in the spotlight, being the flowers that are featured in Gardens by the Bay's floral displays. Here, the strong yet romantic aromas of rose are infused in a mooncake with macadamia, while gentle chrysanthemums please the palate alongside melon seeds for a welcome crunch. 

Don't forget to order the Capitol Kempinski Hotel's own lineup of mooncakes, where you can find a range of classic white lotus mooncakes, as well as flavours like red bean almond and walnut lotus. For lovers of snowskin mooncakes, treat yourself to delightful flavours like matcha, Mao Shan Wang durian, and champagne truffle. Both lineups come in a collectible two-tiered tin in a limited edition canvas bag. 

Available to order at gardensbythebay.com.sg/mooncake and shop-capitolkempinski.myshopify.com.

Chinese restaurant mainstay Peach Garden’s lineup of mooncakes this year are the perfect guilt-free pleasure, made as they are with reduced oil and sugar. Favourites from the restaurant reappear this year, such as the signature premium collagen yuzu lemon mooncake, as well as the golden pandas mooncake and a savoury mooncake with assorted nuts and kam hua ham. But make sure to look out for Peach Garden's new flavour, the “Immunity Boosting” orange mooncake with orange peel and pine nuts, made with freshly squeezed orange juice for your does of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Don’t neglect Peach Garden's snowskin mooncakes either, which includes a new champagne truffle flavour, as well as the return of the signature white lotus snowskin mooncake with macadamia nuts.

Available to order at peachgarden.com.sg.

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