Exquisite Mid-Autumn 2024 Delights: Relish the taste of Traditional Baked Mooncakes

CONTENT: Yeo Terence

The traditional baked mooncakes are an essential season treats that is enjoyed while basking under the brightest and roundest full autumn moon during Mid-Autumn Festival that is on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Tuesday, 17 September 2024. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Singapore’s top hotels and restaurants present their most exquisite mooncake creations, combining tradition with modern innovation.

This year’s mooncake offerings in Singapore are a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of its culinary scene. From the floral elegance of Mandarin Oriental and nature-inspired creations of Mott 32 to Eu Yan Sang’s health-conscious delicacies, the masterful blends at Goodwood Park Hotel, and the halal-certified innovations at Andaz Singapore, there is a mooncake for every palate and preference. These creations not only celebrate the rich traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival but also introduce exciting new flavors and designs that reflect Singapore’s dynamic culinary landscape.

Cherry Garden at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore: A Floral Tribute to Tradition

Mandarin Oriental’s mooncake collection for 2024 is a celebration of floral elegance and sustainability. Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s Garden City and the hotel’s refreshed spaces, the mooncakes are presented in beautifully designed boxes adorned with floral accents. This year’s collection features both traditional baked mooncakes and innovative snow skin varieties, making for perfect gifts or personal indulgences.

What we liked most:

The standout of the collection is the Cherry Garden Four Treasures set, which includes four individually packed baked mooncakes in an elegant two-tiered box. Among these is a new tea-infused creation with the hotel’s exclusive “Exceptionally Singapore” tea blend. This mooncake’s nutty flavor is balanced by the sweet, fragrant hint of orchid, offering a taste that is both delicate and sophisticated. Other highlights include the classic single and double egg yolk mooncakes enveloped in smooth, low-sugar white lotus paste, as well as the Tropical Oasis Tea and Coconut mooncake, which combines tart hibiscus with the sweet creaminess of coconut.

For those who appreciate the beauty of tradition and modernity combined, Mandarin Oriental’s collection is a thoughtful nod to Singapore’s rich cultural heritage. Combining elegance with sustainability, the traditional baked mooncake gift box that comes complete with a single or two-tiered drawer, and the snow skin mooncake tin box are perfect for upcycling that can be repurposed as keepsake storage to house dainty accessories and trinkets.

Order Cherry Garden’s mooncakes at The Mandarin Cake Shop located in the Hotel Lobby (Level 1) of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore or online from now until 17 September.  Please call +65 6885 3500 or e-mail mosin-mooncakes@mohg.com for mooncake orders or enquiries.

Mott 32 at Marina Bay Sands: Nature-Inspired Artisanal Creations

Mott 32, the award-winning Chinese restaurant, returns this year with its nature-inspired mooncakes that blend traditional Chinese flavors with innovative twists. Encased in a luxurious blue aluminum tin, the mooncakes are a perfect marriage of taste and aesthetics, making them a sought-after gift. This year’s selection includes four unique flavors: Yuzu, Matcha Forest, Chrysanthemum-Red Date, and Mango-Coconut. The Mango-Coconut mooncake is a tropical delight that combines luscious mango with creamy coconut for a modern twist on a classic Lo Mai Chi.

What we liked most:

The Yuzu mooncake, inspired by Mott 32’s signature cocktail, combines the tartness of yuzu with the sweetness of plum and herbaceous notes from shiso, offering a refreshing citrus twist. For matcha lovers, the Matcha Forest mooncake brings the earthy richness of matcha, balanced with chewy mochi and the zesty kick of yuzu. Meanwhile, the Chrysanthemum-Red Date mooncake highlights the delicate floral notes of chrysanthemum paired with the natural sweetness of red dates, providing an elegant and refined treat.

Each box comes in a luxurious aluminium tin in Mott 32’s iconic shade of blue, with mooncakes from each flavour, at S$98.

Mott 32’s mooncakes are available for a limited time only till 17 September. Pre-order and collection are available at the restaurant located in The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (B1-42-44), making them a convenient yet luxurious option for mooncake enthusiasts.

Available for a limited time only, the mooncakes are available for pre-order and collection at the restaurant at B1-42-44 at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands from now till 17 September. Visit Marina Bay Sands’ website for more information.

Eu Yan Sang: A Fusion of Heritage and Health

Eu Yan Sang continues to honor its heritage of health and wellness with mooncakes that blend traditional herbs and modern ingredients, making them ideal for those who value both tradition and health. This year, they introduce the Celestial Yuzu Chrysanthemum Mooncake, a refreshing combination of white lotus paste, yuzu, and chrysanthemum. The floral notes of chrysanthemum and the citrusy tang of yuzu make this mooncake light yet indulgent, perfect for those seeking a healthier festive treat.

What we liked most:

For a more luxurious option, the Emperor’s Ginseng with Bird’s Nest Mooncake is a must-try. This mooncake combines the signature fragrance of natural ginseng with the sweetness of lotus paste, featuring a delicate bird’s nest center that adds a unique texture and flavor. Meanwhile, the Triple Treasures Mooncake blends sweet longans, goji berries, and olive kernels with pure lotus paste, offering a unique twist on the classic mooncake with a balance of sweetness and nuttiness.

Eu Yan Sang’s mooncakes are available from now to 17 September 2024 at all Eu Yan Sang’s outlets and online.

Goodwood Park Hotel: Masterful Craftsmanship with a Modern Twist

Goodwood Park Hotel’s mooncakes this year are a delightful blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern flavors. Their mooncakes are crafted without preservatives, and the packaging features intricate floral motifs on a brilliant yellow background, adding an elegant touch. For traditionalists, the White Lotus Seed & Red Bean Paste with Pork Floss & Single Yolk Mooncake offers a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, while the Assorted Nuts with Ham (‘Kum Toy’) mooncake provides a satisfying crunch with its mix of nuts and seeds elevated by premium ingredients like ‘Jinhua’ ham and house-roasted ‘char siew’.

What we liked most:

The new Kumquat Melon with Macadamia Snowskin Mooncake stands out as a refreshing fusion of melon, tangy kumquat, and rich macadamia paste. It’s a delightful addition to their lineup, offering a refreshing yet indulgent treat. Additionally, the hotel’s classic Durian Combo makes a return, featuring a new variant called Golden Dragon, celebrating the Year of the Wood Dragon with its assortment of durian flavors ranging from mildly sweet to intensely bittersweet.

Order Goodwood Park Hotel’s mooncakes via the Festive Online Shop from now till 12 September 2024, or walk-in to The Deli located at Goodwood Park Hotel. Contact Mooncake Call Centre at +65 6730 1868, email mooncake@goodwoodparkhotel.com for orders or enquiries.

Andaz Singapore: Halal-Certified and Contemporary Creations

Andaz Singapore’s Cantonese restaurant, 5 ON 25, introduces a selection of halal-certified mooncakes this Mid-Autumn Festival, including new and innovative flavors. Presented in a vibrant ruby box designed by local mural arts studio Mural Lingo, these mooncakes are not only a feast for the palate but also a visual delight. Enhancing the Mid-Autumn celebration, Andaz also offer tea enthusiasts an option to add a 50-gramme tin of 5 ON 25’s Golden Phoenix Tea to their orders for a perfect Oolong tea pairing with the mooncakes. Harvested from Phoenix Mountain in Chaozhou, these tea leaves undergo a meticulous process of shaping, charcoal firing, and baking in wicker baskets, resulting in a fragrant brew reminiscent of magnolia flowers.

What we liked most:

The Truffle-damia Twist mooncake, featuring white lotus paste infused with premium white truffle oil and macadamia nuts, offers a unique and luxurious flavor profile that truffle lovers will adore. Meanwhile, the Red Date Jubilee mooncake captures the essence of local tradition with lotus paste enriched with longan meat and red dates, evoking fond memories of the beloved Cheng Teng dessert.

Andaz Singapore’s mooncakes are available online via the Andaz Shop and on Shopee. Purchases can also be made at retail booths located at Andaz Singapore, Level 25, Takashimaya Square and Duo Tower, Basement Three. For order enquiries, please email mooncakes@andaz.com.