1 | Snow Skin Roselle Ruby, Hilton Kuala Lumpur
Hilton KL’s Roselle Ruby’s subtle citrus-sweet flavours will have you devouring the whole piece without realising. Each mooncake is dusted with red tinted 24k gold dust to mimic the look of a ruby while contrasting textures of the snow skin, filling crunchy lotus seeds and a hint of Roselle — a type of hibiscus frequently used in drinks, herbal concoctions and jams — delight your tastebuds as much as the exquisite colour of the mooncake. Get a purchase of 4 mooncakes packed in a stylish, hand-sewn luxury gift box that recently made an appearance on the runway at KL Fashion Week. More info on Hilton KL.
2 | Gianduja Hazelnut Chocolate with Oolong Tea in Gold Dust, Mandarin Oriental
MO’s ‘Celestial Treasures’ mooncakes this year include 12 flavours that cover the classics, new snow skin flavours and rich chocolate mooncakes. Especially decadent is the chocolate mooncake with Gianduja hazelnut chocolate, a traditional Italian confection concocted from a mix of dark chocolate and hazelnut paste, paired with oolong tea to make it a unique oriental delight. Customised gift boxes with a company logo or personalised messages are available. For more info, see the Mandarin Oriental site.
3 | Moët & Chandon Champagne Snow Skin Mooncakes, Ritz Carlton
There’s nothing not to love about dainty snow skin mooncake infused with alcohol and Ritz Carlton offers two variations with champagne this year: a mini snow skin Moët & Chandon Champagne mooncake and Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial Champagne mini mooncake, also in snow skin. Serve these at your next tea gathering and it’s guaranteed to be a smashing success. But to really indulge, pair one of these champagne mooncakes with a glass of bubbly. Also available this year are the mini Snow Skin Cream Cheese with Port Wine Mooncake, as well as 10 varieties of traditional baked mooncakes. Go to Ritz Carlton for more.
4 | D24 Durian with Salted Caramel Chocolate, Intercontinental
It’s hard to choose a favourite from Intercontinental’s six custom-created mooncakes, but a durian (we’re in the fans camp) mooncake that blends salted caramel and chocolate into the mix will just have to get our vote. Bite into sweet and creamy D24 durian, before hitting a delectable caramel nut with subtle chocolate aftertaste. Other noteworthy ones include Sesame Snow Skin with Japanese Purple Potato and Green Tea, Marble Snow Skin Pandan Paste with Single Egg Yolk, and Roselle Skin with Cheese and Spirulina Paste. Two-tiered gift boxes come in luminous gold or charcoal grey with plum blossom motifs. See more on Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur.
5 | Snow Skin Custard Paste with Mint, JW Marriott
This custard with mint flavour from JW Marriott’s Shanghai restaurant is decidedly un-mooncake-like but is such a pleasant bite(s) that what takes precedence are the ingredients themselves. The yellow custard is an airier and lighter version of the thick, sweet paste of white lotus, enhanced by a refreshing mint that permeates your tastebuds. Yummy and perfect for family members who aren’t fans of lotus paste or red bean. Also returning this year to Shanghai’s mooncake list are the snow skin Fermented Black Garlic with Salted Egg Yolk, snow skin Shiro Umeboshi with Green Tea, and snow skin Musang King Durian Paste with Truffle.
6 | Ferrero Rocher Mooncake, Grand Millenium
Here’s another one for the chocolate fans. Head to Grand Millennium for a traditional baked gold-dust sprinkled mooncake with chocolate-flavoured lotus paste and a — surprise — Ferrero Rocher in the middle, instead of an egg yolk. Although you’re aware of what awaits in the middle, each first bite is still a delightful burst of crispy wafer, chocolate cream and crunchy hazelnut. Get them at the mooncake booth in the lobby of the Grand Millennium.
7 | Super Mooncake with 8 Yolks, St. Regis
St. Regis’ signature mooncake is impressive for its daring simplicity: a super sized, bigger-than-your-fist, 6.5 inches traditional-baked white lotus paste mooncake made with premium ingredients. What’s heart-stopping about it is that it comes with EIGHT egg yolks, a tribute to the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in the eight month of the lunar calendar year. If you’re gifting it to someone, get it packed in the ultra-luxe St Regis purple trunk, secured with a silver locket. More here.
