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In celebration of the Chinese season of thanksgiving, here are some of Metro Manila's premier restaurants that offer unique moon cake flavour varieties.
Considered as one of the four most important Chinese holidays, the Mid-Autumn Festival has been widely celebrated for centuries in Asia. Having roots traced to the harvest celebrations of ancient China, the tradition has evolved from various myths, most significantly that of the goddess of immortality, Chang E. The festival is also known for moon worship as it regularly falls on the night of the fifteenth day of the eighth month in the Chinese Lunar calendar, which happens to be the first night of the month's full moon. This year the mid-autumn festival falls on the eighth of September.
Hence, the festival is alternatively known for moon cakes, a popular Chinese delicacy, which are shared among families and business partners in the spirit of thanksgiving, unity, and faith. Over the years, the traditional pastry that is usually made with either red bean or lotus seed has evolved with numerous varieties. Philippine Tatler Dining lists the restaurants around the metro that offer the best moon cakes to share with the family and friends this mid-autumn festival.
Summer Palace
2/F EDSA Shangri-La, Manila, No.1 Garden way, Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong City, +632.633.8888 loc.2738 / 2739
The chef Andy Liew crafts six flavourful varieties of the traditional Chinese delicacy such as white lotus, red bean, mixed nuts, green tea, chestnut, and wintermelon, with prices starting at 2,364 pesos net for a box of eight. The moon cake counter is available at EDSA Shangri-La Manila's tower wing lobby.
Xin Tian Di
4/F Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Ortigas Avenue cor. ADB Avenue, Ortigas Centre, +632.633.7222
Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila’s premier Chinese restaurant invites guests to choose among its elaborate selection of traditional and snow skin moon cakes that are specially packed in gift boxes. Xin Tian Di offers varieties starting with a box of four large mung bean-filled moon cakes, to snow skin varieties in lotus cream, egg custard, and red bean flavours.
Mabuhay Palace
G/F Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park, Metro Manila, +632.527.0011 loc. 1260
Enjoy a luxurious lunch or dinner at Manila Hotel matched with the interesting interiors of the Mabuhay Palace, depicting the life of the Chinese philosopher Confucius through its elegant jade and precious stone panels. Enjoy the unique varieties of moon cakes such as almond paste with sliced almond nuts moon cake, single yolk in pure white lotus seed paste, and green tea paste with pistachio nuts.
Lung Hin
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Meralco Ave. and Sapphire St., Ortigas Centre, Pasig City, +632.720.7777 loc. 6621
Translated as “Dragon Pavilion,” the newest Cantonese restaurant of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila takes part in the celebration with its traditional red and white lotus moon cake flavours, available in boxes of four at 2,550 pesos net. Celebrate the festival with a family dinner in one of its private rooms and get a complimentary signature dish for a minimum of 2,500-peso receipt.
Shang Palace
Makati Shangri-La Manila, Ayala Avenue corner, Makati Avenue, Makati City 1200, Metro Manila, Philippines +632.814.2580
Besides the wide array of traditional and snow-skin moon cake flavours courtesy of the chefs Richard Thong and Leung Ka Fai, Shang Palace invites guests to savour the new line of moon cake flavours. This interesting concept incorporates new flavours like durian, Chinese plum, coffee, chocolate truffle, custard, and wintermelon into the traditional Chinese pastry. The moon cakes are available per piece, and in boxes of six and eight.
Photos courtesy of respective restaurants | Cover photo is Lung Hin restaurant, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
