Mid-Autumn Festival is an annual celebration that occurs on the 15^th day of the 8^th month in the Chinese calendar – where the moon is the brightest and roundest. Consumption of these moon-shaped cakes is an ancient tradition that started since 3000 years ago. The festive event is symbolic of family reunions; the Chinese make it a point to return home on this day to have dinner with their families under the full moon.

The custom has evolved tremendously in present day and mooncakes are now widely exchanged commodities in Singapore. The practice of gifting mooncakes had become a method of maintaining personal and professional relations. This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 27 September 2015, but as usual, most hotels and restaurants in Singapore have already started selling boxes of tasty mooncakes that are available in all sorts of flavours and shapes.

From traditionally baked lotus-filled mooncakes to the contemporary snowskin mooncakes, here is our guide to the 9 Hotels & Restaurants in Singapore to get mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival 2015.

#1 CARLTON HOTEL SINGAPORE – WAH LOK CANTONESE RESTAURANT

And we are always full of praises for Carlton Hotel Singapore’s snowskin mooncakes. Have you tried the Red Velvet ones? Because you really should!

Every year, we look forward to this decadent treat. Inspired by Tuxedo’s signature Red Velvet cake, the Mini Red Velvet Snowskin Mooncake (S$62 for a box of eight) is amazing – filled with velvety cream cheese and crunchy royaltine, no red velvet fans should pass on this.

Another crowd-pleaser is the Mini ‘Mao Shan Wang’ Durian Snowskin Mooncakes (S$72 for a box of eight). This is Carlton Hotel Singapore’s signature mooncake flavour, and you can expect nothing short of copious durian pulp encased in a pillow-light snowskin.

Fans of Carlton Hotel Singapore would also be familiar with the Mini Walnut Moontarts (S$66 for a box of eight) that sell like hotcakes every year. What is essentially a moontart is smooth white lotus paste and egg yolk enveloped in a fragrant crust that boasts a crispy and slightly crumbly texture – just like a tart. The health nuts will be happy to know that there is a low sugar alternative to this too – at S$62 for a box of eight, this variation comes without egg yolk.

Carlton Hotel Singapore’s mooncakes are available from 29 Aug to 27 Sep, and there is a free local delivery for single location when you order 50 boxes or more. Early bird special includes a 20% discount for selected credits on purchases from 29 Aug to 11 Sep. The mooncakes are available at Carlton Hotel, Carlton City Hotel, Junction 8 Level 2 Atrium, Jem Level 1 Atrium and Tampines Mall Level 1 Atrium. You can order the mooncakes by calling the hotline at 6349 1292 or visiting www.carltonhotel.sg/packages/crowning-jewels-of-mid-autumn-2015.

#2 HOLIDAY INN SINGAPORE ATRIUM – XIN CUISINE

Of all the mooncakes packaging we have seen this year, Xin Cuisine at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium has one of the prettiest and more meaningful, and it has won our hearts completely. To commemorate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, the mooncakes are luxuriously showcased in a stunning blue box with fifty motifs of our national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Upon opening up the treasure box, we were received by a rainbow. Colourful snowskin mooncakes in assorted flavours await; talk about an aced presentation! The flavours were no less exciting.

The new Purple Sweet Potato with Macadamia Nuts Snowskin Mooncake is the ideal choice for the health nuts, and if you do not prefer your mooncakes to be overly sweet, then this is for you. Another new flavour to look out for is the Coffee White Lotus Seed Paste with Rum & Raisin Chocolate – sweet, luscious and with a touch of alcohol for those who want something more robust.

Of course, Singaporeans love their durian, and Xin Cuisine knows just how to please you with the Peranakan Durian Snowskin Mooncake. The durian filling is pillowed in a purplish blue skin – naturally coloured using Blue Pea flower. The snowskin mooncakes are priced at S$52 for a box of six.

If sticking to traditions is what you still prefer, the signature Mini Egg Custard with Egg Yolk Mooncake will please your tastebuds. At S$54 for a box of six, this is Xin Cuisine’s best-selling and award-winning creation, featuring creamy custard that is dense yet smooth, complete with a flavourful salted egg yolk.

Xin Cuisine’s mooncakes are available from 27 Aug to 27 Sep at the Hotel Lobby, as well as many offsite locations. You may call 6731 7173 for more information. 

Quote LadyIronChef upon check-out online at holidayinnfestive.oddle.me to get an exclusive 30% off Xin Cuisine’s mooncakes. This is valid when you collect your order between now till 25 Sep 2015.

#3 INTERCONTINENTAL SINGAPORE – MAN FU YUAN

InterContinental Singapore sits on the historic Bugis district, and the hotel is a notable fixture of the facade. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the mooncakes come in a special commemorative tin box, with illustrations by local artist Jacqueline Goh.

When we talk about InterContinental Singapore’s mooncakes, the first that comes to our minds are their time-honoured favourites – the Baked Lotus Mooncake series. The lotus paste is ever fragrant and smooth, and comes with either single or double yolk. This is a perennial favourite among our folks because they prefer theirs creamy yet not overly sweet. The prices vary for the lotus paste or white lotus paste, and single or double yolk.

There is also a low-sugar variation of the white lotus paste mooncakes (S$35 for  box of two, or S$64 for a box of four), and they are fabulously completed with crunchy macadamia nuts.

What stood out this year at InterContinental Singapore is the delicately-crafted Snowskin Tea Mooncake Selection (S$66 for a box of four); think elegant flavours such as Rose and Pistachio with White Lotus Paste (we love this one!),  Oolong with Black Sesame Paste, Japanese Matcha and Earl Grey and Baileys Truffle with White Lotus Paste.

InterContinental Singapore’s mooncakes are available from now till 27 Sep, and you can purchase them at Tea Hut (located at the hotel’s entrance) and nine other locations across Singapore, including Nex, Jurong Point, Junction 8, Century Square, Compass Point, Vivo City, Takashimaya, West Mall and Parkway Parade. Enjoy a 30% Early Bird discount from now till 30 Aug. For more information, please call 6820 8519.

You may also place your orders online at singapore.intercontinental.com/mooncakes.

#4 MANDARIN ORCHARD

A box of delicate mooncakes from Mandarin Orchard comes in the form of a regal gold-latticed gift box; so elegant, the receiver will be pleased. Fans of Mandarin Orchard’s classic mooncake - Baked Mooncake with Single/ Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste (S$60 for a box of four, single yolk and S$64 for a box of our, double yolk) - will be keen to know that this is made available again this year.

If you would like some alternative flavours, then the Baked Mooncake with Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts (S$60 for a box of four) should tickle your taste buds; this is a vegetarian option! There is an even fancier flavour that Mandarin Orchard is using to up the ante – Baked Mooncake with Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico (S$67 for a box of four); think salty meet savoury baked to a glorious shade of brown.

The all-new Mini Snow Skin Red Wine Cranberry Paste and Yuzu Lemongrass Mooncake may sound very complicated, but trust us when we say the combination is one so intriguing yet well-balanced. The popular Mini Snow Skin Lychee Martini and Chocolate Mooncake is making a comeback too! Both flavours are at S$56 for a box of four.

Mandarin Orchard’s mooncakes are available for purchase at Mandarin Orchard’s hotel deli counter at Level 1, as well as Takashimaya Square Basement 2, Jem Level 1, Junction 8 Level 2 Atrium, Tampines Mall Level 1 Atrium and Northpoint Shopping Centre Level 1.

From now till 27 Aug, DBS/ POSB Cardholders enjoy a 25% discount, and a 20% discount thereafter. Other credit card holders enjoy a 20% and 15% respectively – only for purchases made at the hotel’s deli counter.

#5 PARK HOTEL GROUP

We have no idea what took us so long, but we finally tried Park Hotel Group’s mooncakes this year and we loved it! Firstly, being very superficially driven by aesthetics (guilty), we were drawn by the visually-arresting box. Vibrant colours and contemporary prints, the lotus plant and pond symbolises joy and abundance while reminiscing simple joy celebrating mid-autumn festival with our families. They sure make great gifts for both young and old!

For the love of all things classic, celebrate with lotus paste goodness in the biggest form – Park Hotel Group introduces a 900grams (16cm) cake, designed for communal dining at parties. Probably the most attention-seeking mooncake in town this year, and we are so loving it!

They are available in three flavours – the Classical White Lotus Paste with Six Yolks (wow!) at S$68, Classical Teochew Mung Bean at S$48, and the Classical Red Bean and Winter Melon at S$48. Park Hotel Group uses only premium grade fresh lotus paste from Hong Kong, and every single yolk is hand-picked too. This means an impeccably smooth delight that you will not soon forget.

On to the sophistication is the collection of snowskin monocakes that come in an array of refreshing flavours. The new ones include Yuzu Paste with Korean Rice Wine and Apple with Cherry Brandy Truffle; you did not see that coming, did you? The young ones will love the Royal Topaz with Nougat and Chocolate Pops.

The mooncakes are available across all Park Hotel properties – Grand Park City Hall, Grand Park Orchard, Park Hotel Alexandra and Park Hotel Clarke Quay. For reservations and enquiries, please call 6432 5555. You may also visit parkhotelgroup.com/mooncakes for more information for 2015′s highlights.

#6 SINGAPORE MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL – WAN HAO CHINESE RESTAURANT

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel promises a captivating and memorable mid-autumn festival this year with their star restaurant, Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant. This year, Wan Hao pays homage to the traditions of the festivity with twelve impeccable mooncake flavours that are bound to please your tastebuds; they are low in sugar, too!

The mooncakes sit prettily in an elegant red chest-like box that is hot-stamped with gold peonies. Every piece of mooncake is meticulously handcrafted in-house, because Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant believes in preserving such traditions of baking the best mooncakes. And in these boxes are the most unpredictable mooncake flavours that are novel with a fusion twist; think Black Truffle, Waxed Duck and Single Yolk with White Lotus Seed Paste, as well as Roasted Chestnut (S$78 for a box of four). There is also a local flavour – Teh Tarik with Chocolate Pearls Snowskin Mooncake at S$60 for a box of eight – that is a dedication to SG50; we love this!

For the classics, we turn to perennial favourites that are ever comforting and heartwarming. Marriott’s versions are all made with less sugar – still not compromising on the taste and with sweetness that lingers, but perhaps in a more guilt-free way. You will love the White Lotus Seed Paste with Single/ Double Yolk (S$64 for a box of four and S$68 for a box of four respectively).

If all else fails, count on the ‘Mao Shan Wang’ Top Grade Durian Snowskin Mooncake (S$66 for a box of eight); because we Singaporeans cannot resist luscious bites of a durian treat, yes? By the way, talk about local favourites. There is also a White Lotus Seed Paste with Chicken Bak-kwah and Assorted Nuts Baked Mooncake (S$63 for a box of four)!

Wan Hao’s mooncakes are available at the hotel’s Forecourt Stall and various shopping malls. Customization of the mooncake boxes with complimentary hot-stamping of your company logo is also available for a minimum order of 50 boxes. For orders and enquiries, call 6831 4708 or visit www.singaporemarriott.com/mooncakes.

#7 TUNGLOK GROUP

TungLok Group is one of our favourite places to turn to when we need to get quality mooncakes as gifts. For so many years now, they have maintained the premium tastes of their mooncakes – both traditional and snowskin. What lured us even more this year is the very stunning packaging.

Be enchanted by these opulent boxes specially designed and printed by Tung Lok Group. Nothing overly complicated, yet no less elegant and presentable. You bet they make perfect gifts for corporate clients, families and your loved ones.

For 2015, TungLok introduces specially concocted snowskin creations – Banana Milk with Salted Caramel and Orange Apricot with Chocolate. These mini mooncakes are part of the Tutti Frutti Collection, and retail at S$54 for a box of 8, with four pieces per flavour. They are richer and creamier than the usual snowskin delights, but for those with more adventurous palettes, these snowskin treats shall be your sweet surrender.

You can also expect the classics TungLok Perfect Duo (S$62 per box), TungLok Four Seasons (S$58 per box) and TungLok Bite-sized Mooncakes (S$54 for a box of 16, with two pieces per flavour).

Our family’s favourite, and also TungLok’s best-seller, is the bite-sized mooncakes. Petite and super cute, these gems come in an assortment of flavours – think Pandan Lotus, Lotus with Orange Peel, and Pineapple. It comes in a box of 16 pieces, with 2 flavours each, and each box costs S$54.

All prices are subject to GST. You may enquire for more information at 9088 8008, or visit www.tunglok.com.

#8 FULLERTON HOTEL

Mooncakes from Fullerton Hotel come in the form of a treasure trove this year, and we got really excited upon receiving them! It was like receiving a huge drawer of presents, and we were to open the compartments one by one to unveil the surprise.

The red boxes are adorned with beautiful plum blossoms motifs, and the mooncakes selections include traditional and local flavours. Elegant and exquisite; that is how we think of Fullerton Hotel’s mooncakes. If you are a contemporary purveyor of the traditional bake, opt for intriguing local flavours such as Pandan with Gula Melaka Snow Skin Mooncake (S$58 per box). There is also a Green Bean with Sweet Potato and White Lotus Seed Paste Snow Skin Mooncake (S$58 per box).

Fullerton Hotel’s mooncakes are available at the hotel from 13 August 2015 to 27 September 2015.

#9 GRAND HYATT

We are pretty picky with our snowskin mooncakes – the skin has to be translucent and thin, the flavours have to be intriguing, best if there is a truffle in the middle to surprise us, preservatives-free, and on top of them all, they have to come in a gorgeous box. Well, Grand Hyatt’s collection has ticked them boxes – all of them.

This year, new snowskin mooncakes flavours include the Thousand Flower Blossom with Honey Truffle, and Strawberry and Lime Margarita Truffle. Of course, the ones that always please are the classic Champagne Truffle and Lychee Martini Truffle.

These box of eight assorted snowskin mooncakes are priced at S$69, and are available at the compounds of Grand Hyatt Singapore (The Shop at mezza9 and Lobby Shop), as well as Takashimaya Square Basement 2, Vivo City Level 1 Atrium, Chevron House Ground Level and Nex Level 1 Atrium.

From 24 Aug 2015 to 09 Sep 2015, enjoy a 20% discount with selected credit cards. Damai and Club at the Hyatt members enjoy a whopping 25% discount. For more information, visit singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com, or call 6887 5492.

Mid-autumn festival is widely celebrated by Chinese all over the world. It is an occasion to gather with our loved ones and to enjoy mooncakes and tea over chats. Every year, families and friends exchange mooncakes – both traditional and flavoured snow skin ones. And it is one tradition that we really love and embrace. The sheer joy of sinking our teeth into these decadent lunar treats is so extraordinary, so… unadulterated. Complete with lanterns and a bright moon, Mid-autumn festival is one occasion that warms our hearts, always.

And we want nothing but the best for this occasion that we grew up with. This year, we started shortlisting brands that we always turn to for reliable goodies, and we are more than pleased to be finally sharing with you the bests of 2014. Here is our guide to Mooncake Festival Singapore 2014, featuring our picks on the interesting creations to look out for this year, and we hope you find something that you will enjoy with your loved ones, or to gift to your business associates!

CARLTON HOTEL SINGAPORE

Inspired by its signature Red Velvet Cake, Carlton Hotel Singapore’s signature Mini Red Velvet Snow Skin Mooncake (S$58 for 8 pieces) marries snow skin mooncakes with the ever-popular red velvet with cream cheese, and crunchy royaltines. Now, who can resist that? As far as we are concerned, the thought of a red velvet mooncake is enough to send us to Cloud Nine.

For the adventurous bunch, give Mini Cempedak (the cousin of jackfruit) & Pineapple with palm sugar flavoured snow skin, the other new creation this year, a shot.

Making a much anticipated return is the Mini Walnut Moontart. Mooncake options are aplenty, but have you tried a moontart before? It is essentially a hybrid of mooncake and tart – in a better way, of course – with white lotus paste and egg yolk within a crisp and fragrant walnut tart. It also comes with a low sugar option without egg yolk for the more health conscious.

Carlton Hotel Singapore’s mooncakes are available at the lobby of Carlton Hotel, Carlton City Hotel, Compass Point, IMM, Junction 8, Tampines Mall, and Westgate. For Citibank, DBS and UOB cardholders, purchase before 17 Aug 2014 for a early-bird discount of 20%.

INTERCONTINENTAL SINGAPORE

When it comes to the classic baked mooncakes, few do it better than the chefs from Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore. If you are a purist, and believe that mid-autumn festival should be all about the traditional baked mooncake, go for the White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake which has the right balance and is not overly-sweet.

Man Fu Yuan also has a range of low-sugar mooncakes made with 50% less sugar and all-natural ingredients. This way, you can enjoy mooncakes during the upcoming mid-autumn festival without feeling guilty for indulging.

Fans of Man Fu Yuan mooncakes will also be familiar with its assortment of snow skin mooncakes (S$57 for 4 pcs) such as Green Tea Paste with Dragonball Jasmine Tea Infused Snowskin, White Lotus with Macadamia Nuts, and Sesame Paste with White Sesame Seeds, but the limelight this year is on the Mao Shan Wang Durian Mooncake with Coconut.

Ordering from InterContinental Singapore’s website is easy and fuss-free. Otherwise, you can get the mooncakes from Tea Hut (at the entrance of InterContinental Singapore), Bedok Mall, Junction 8, Causeway Point, Century Square, Change Alley, Compass Point, IMM, Jurong Point, Lot One, nex, North Point Mall, Parkway Parade, Suntec City Mall, Takashiyama Square, TANGS Orchard, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Westgate, West Mall, Velocity @ Novena Square, and VivoCity. For more information, please call +65 6820 8519 or email sinhb-festive@ihg.com.

SI CHUAN DOU HUA

Si Chuan Dou Hua and its sister establishment, Tian Fu Tea Room are presenting a simple lineup with four mooncakes in its repertoire. For what it lacks in variety, it more than makes up for it with quality.

The White Lotus with Black Sesame Paste Mooncake (S$52 for 4 pcs) makes its debut for Si Chuan Dou Hua this year. The union of white lotus with black sesame is one to remember, and an interesting change. But if you prefer to stick with the standard flavours, Si Chuan Dou Hua also does a good execution of its White Lotus Seed Paste with double yolk (S$56 for 4 pcs).

After taking a break last year, Tian Fu Tea Room’s much-loved Filo Pastry with Yam Paste Mooncake (S$88 for 4 pcs) is making a comeback by popular demand. Tian Fu Tea Room specialises in premium Chinese tea, and you can choose from a range of more than 30 kinds of Chinese tea to enjoy your delicacy with.

UOB cardmembers enjoy early-bird discount of 25% when you purchase the mooncakes before 14 Aug 2014. From 15 Aug to 8 Sep 2014, UOB, OCBC, Maybank, Bank of China, and DBS cardmembers get 20% off.

TUNGLOK GROUP

From traditional mooncakes that everyone can savour over a pot of Chinese tea with, to snow skin mooncake with fruity flavours, TungLok’s mooncake collection has options that will please every one.

With its sleek red and black box, TungLok Perfect Duo (S$60 for 4 pcs) makes an elegant gift for your esteemed business associates. TungLok Four Seasons (S$56 for 4 pcs), on the other hand, comes in four colourful compartments representing the four seasons – its cheerful and vibrant aesthetics is such a joy to behold that your loved ones will be delighted to receive.

TungLok’s bite-sized mooncakes (S$52 for 16 pcs) are refreshing and is an alternative to your usual sizes. They come in eight flavours – pineapple, lotus with orange peel, red bean with sesame, grains with brown sugar, red lotus, pandan lotus, green tea lotus, and white lotus. Not only do you get to try different flavours, the bite-sized portions are also just nice for a light snack in between meals.

As for the snow skin mooncakes (S$52 for 8 pcs), there are four flavours to choose from. The White Lotus with Yolk Paste is a classic favourite – familiar and comforting. Not everyone will like the Durian with Chestnut, but those who love the king of fruits will need more than one of these! Mango Apricot is always a good idea, while Passion Fruit with Strawberry provides a zesty contrast of flavours.

TungLok mooncakes are available at all participating TungLok restaurants as well as Takashimaya B2 Square, all Fairprice Xpress and Cheers at Esso Stations, and selected Cheers stores. For general enquiries, please call the TungLok Mooncake hotline at 9088 8008, or visit Tunglok.com. DBS/POSB cardholders get 20% off up to 10 boxes.

GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE

Our top pick this year for snow skin mooncakes is Grand Hyatt Singapore’s masterpiece. This year, the team from mezza9 has added two new flavours – White Lotus with Rose Truffle and White Lotus with Passion Fruit – to their collection of nine miniature snow skin mooncakes. And trust us when we say the one with the rose truffle is quite simply the most divine rendition we’ve sampled. Perennial favourites include Champagne Truffle, Caramel Sea Salt Truffle, White Lotus with Rose Truffle, and Lychee Martini Truffle. There are also interesting flavours like Green Tea with Sake Truffle, and White Lotus XO Truffle.

This mid-autumn festival, happiness comes in a box of Grand Hyatt snow skin mooncake (S$69 nett for 8 pcs)! For purchases between 4 to 20 Aug, enjoy 20% discount when paying with selected credit card. Grand Hyatt Singapore’s mooncakes are available at Ngee Ann City level B2, Chevron House, and Vivo City.

DA PAOLO GASTRONOMIA

For those of you who have had too much of the traditional mooncakes and want something different from the usual, Da Paolo Gastronomia has created a new series of mid-autumn Crodos (croissant-donut) with flavours like White Lotus Crodo and Golden Custard Crodo. Our hearts skipped a beat when we saw the Golden Custard Crodo which is filled with a combination of salted egg yolk and custard. Not for the faint-hearted, but certainly a lovely alternative for the more adventurous crowd.

Da Paolo Gastronomia’s Mooncake Crodos are available at all Gastronomia outlets from 23 Aug to 8 Sep 2014, with the pre-orders starting from 10 Aug. Pre-order or purchase before 31 Aug by quoting ‘ladyironchef’ and purchase a box of 8 Mooncake Crodos at S$39.80 (only applicable for in-store purchase).

THE FULLERTON HOTEL SINGAPORE

What we like most about The Fullerton Hotel SIngapore’s mooncakes (S$69 for 4 pcs) is the elegant elongated box that is decorated with jade. And the star itself looks as pretty, if not prettier with its dainty shape. As mooncake boxes go, this is really pretty and presentable as a gift to please your in-laws or esteemed clients.

The Fullerton Snow Skin Treasures features two flavours: The classic White Lotus Seed Paste with Single Yolk Snow Skin, as well as the Pandan with Gula Melaka Snow Skin which combines two familiar local flavours with the aroma of pandan and sweetness of palm sugar.

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s mooncakes are available at The Fullerton Cake Boutique located on the lobby level of The Fullerton Hotel. To order, please call +65 6877 8178 or email fullertonshop@fullertonhotel.com.

MARINA BAY SANDS

Every year, the pastry team at Marina Bay Sands comes up with the finest and most exquisite mooncakes. For Mid-autumn festival 2014, we can look forward to three snow skin creations. Encased in a pandan leaf snow skin, the Eco Jade blends sustainable Javanese chocolate, caramelised bananas and cashew nuts.

To the delights of fans of SweetSpot’s mooncakes, another crowd-favourite – Salted Caramel Almond Crunch – makes a return this year. Chocolate lovers will enjoy the Dark Chocolate Orange Grand Marnier. The wonderful pairing of dark chocolate ganache and orange-flavoured cognac is a decadent treat.

SweetSpot’s snow skin mooncakes (S$58 for 8 pcs) are available exclusively at Marina Bay Sands. UOB and Citibank card members will enjoy 15 per cent off, while Sands Rewards LifeStyle members will have a 20 per cent discount. For more details, go to SweetSpot’s website.