This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival seems especially competitive – packaging, price and flavour-wise. Every brand I know has evidently stepped up their game in putting their best mooncakes forward. Here are 9 mooncakes to try (and to gift) this Mid-Autumn Festival.
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Year on year, the team from Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur delivers delicious, handcrafted mooncakes – this time, in a sleek eco-friendly bamboo box with velvet lining for that understated yet luxe feel.
As always, their Musang King Durian Mooncake is a winner in Jien’s eyes and until today, he claims no other durian mooncake has come close. MO’s best-seller Malaysian Single Origin Dark Chocolate Mooncake is part of the line-up too; dark, smooth and decadent.
We also enjoyed their Snowskin Cheese with Strawberry & White Lotus Paste – a unique yet tasty combination. At present, all their mooncakes are sold out.
Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Shangri-la Hotel Kuala Lumpur offers their signature classic baked mooncakes as well as some exciting flavours this year, in different boxes reflective of their concept “Over the Moon”. The rabbit-shaped gift box is perfect for your little ones, housing their new creations – passionfruit & coconut snowskin and chocolate orange & nut and mango.
Their Celebrity Michelin Starred Chef Recipe Gift Box Matcha with Red Bean & Yuzu is ideal for those wanting a mooncake that isn’t overly sweet but still indulgent enough to satisfy. Call me a traditionalist, but the classic series from Shang remains my favourite – smooth, creamy lotus paste filling and aromatic assorted nuts. Order here.
Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara
I reckon Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara’s mooncake packaging is one of the more luxe ones I’ve come across this year – check out their Royal Premium Wine Bag that encases four mooncakes of your choice and can then be repurposed to be a wine bag. How handy, especially for a wine drinker like myself!
Their pandan single yolk is quite good and I love a good red bean mooncake which they also do pretty well. If you’re into exciting snowskin flavours, try their tiramisu with custard cream and taro with raspberry. Order here.
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
If I had to pick a snowskin winner this year, it would most definitely be Le Meridien’s “Ying Tao” red cherry infused with VSOP and Grapefruit with Wild “Tualang” Honey. The snowkin texture is lightly chewy and soft to the touch, and holds the filling nicely.
For those wanting something bold and boozy, this is it! Am also loving how pretty their mooncake gift box is this year – pretty turquoise shade that can be used as a jewellery case. At present, all their gift boxes are sold out but you can (and should) still purchase their mooncakes, especially the snowkin series. Order here.
Kitchen Confidante
I really enjoyed Karen’s beautifully crafted kek lapis which not only looked great but tasted really good. So I expected no less from Kitchen Confidante’s Canton Series, featuring 8 traditional baked mooncakes in exciting (and comforting) flavours.
Yuzu black sesame is a pretty genius combination and onde onde tastes similar to the real deal, minus that burst of liquid gula Melaka. These mooncakes are 100% handmade with natural colourings – an eye-catching sight and a conversation starter. Order here.
Starbucks Malaysia
I was told the Starbucks X Christy Ng collaboration mooncakes were sold out within days of hitting the stores. So glad I was gifted one from them to enjoy – Caramel Macchiato, Chocolate Hazelnut Praline, Matcha Adzuki and Golden Lotus Salted Egg.
And I’ll recap what my father said. “Wah, I didn’t know Starbucks makes such nice mooncakes too!” I guess my old pa doesn’t quite know – I’ve always enjoyed the mooncakes from Starbucks. Reminds me of the good times at my former workplace where my team and I would indulge in Starbucks mooncakes over our usual coffee order.
Sheraton Petaling Jaya
These pastel shades in Sheraton Petaling Jaya’s mooncake box is one that catches one attention – my in-laws actually spoke to me about this, asking me if I managed to get my hands on the Pink Blossom Mooncake Box. Sorry in-laws, but I fully intend to use it as my tissue box holder once Mid-Autumn Festival ends haha!
The Sheraton PJ’s team kept to their usual classic series (I like the pandan paste with single yolk) on top of a new limited edition snowskin range – Yuzu, Green Tea, Strawberry-White Chocolate and Ginger-Chocolate. Order here.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
This premium “rocker” mooncake box was sent to me all the way from Hard Rock Hotel Penang – thank you! It showcases four choices of halal mooncakes which you can choose from their available range.
I got the pure white lotus, red bean, chocolate and golden butter milk – Jien likes chocolate and golden butter milk while I prefer the classic white lotus and red bean, sans yolk. Order here.
Plaza Premium Lounge
Shanghai crust mooncakes are my absolute favourite and clearly, Plaza Premium Lounge knows its way to my heart (and stomach). I love their Shanghai Crust Lotus Melon Seed with Single Yolk and Pu Er with Pine Nuts – available in bite-size portions so it’s easy to consume. Too easy in fact.
Both Jien and May Anne loves the Crystal Skin Durian Mooncakes; delicate snowskin encasing a creamy, custard durian filling. I was told it’s quite good and not overly sweet. Order here.