Those waiting on the next public holiday, take note: Mid-Autumn Festival lands on 21
September (a Tuesday!) this year. It may still feel a ways away, but it’s never too early to get ahold of those golden-yellow, buttery pastries. Don’t miss out on yearly go-tos, traditional double-yolk lotus paste and creamy lava custard, or seasonal specials — bunny shapes or mooncakes stuffed with caviar. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best picks for the season.Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason’s egg-custard mooncakes are ones that stay true to the British brand’s reputed expertise in tea blends and classic brews. Unveiling three new flavours infused with popular Fortnum blends — Earl Grey, Rose Pouchong and Matcha — the six-pack gift box (HK$588) tugs open at the bottom to unveil three miniature tins of loose leaves for a complete tea pairing experience at home. Naturally, Earl Grey is served with the classic blend of earl grey leaves; Rose Pouchong with Queen Anne, a mixture of rich Assam and Ceylon; and Matcha with the flowery notes of Victoria Grey. Orders can be placed at the Fortnum & Mason flagship.
Godiva
Godiva’s ‘mooncakes’ are easy to love; no cake per se but beautifully decorated, decadent bites of luscious chocolate in its place. What does change, however, are the renowned chocolatier’s range of flavours developed by Godiva’s own chef chocolatier Sébastien Bauer. There are some that nod towards traditional Chinese flavours — lychee white oolong white chocolate mooncake, ginger mango dark chocolate mooncake or matcha kumquat white chocolate mooncake; others that verge on the edge of luxury — black truffle apricot milk chocolate mooncake made with Italian black truffle; and ones that are just an all-round tasty treat for the festival — passionfruit hazelnut milk chocolate mooncake and raspberry and rose white chocolate mooncake.
Duddell’s
Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Duddell’s collaborated with the artists of Macao-based MO-DESIGN to create two lava cream custard mooncakes gift boxes inspired by Chinese traditions. The Signature Gift Box (HK$ 398) is inspired by the Mid-Autumn practice of moon-gazing and features red, blue and gold tones with a 3D moon. The Limited Edition LED Lantern Gift Box (HK$ 588) combines mooncakes and lanterns using traditional paper-cutting techniques and a lenticular sheet to create a mesmerising illuminated effect.
The Langham Hong Kong
This Mid-Autumn Festival, Chef Kwong Wai Keung of three Michelin-star T’ang Court at The Langham Hong Kong conceptualised two classic mooncake flavours to celebrate with family and friends. The treats are presented in an elegant package adorned with peonies, which traditionally symbolise good fortune and prosperity, as part of the hotel’s series of collectable floral boxes. Flavours include the signature classic Mini Custard with Egg Yolk Mooncake (box of six mini HK$518) and the White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Egg Yolks Mooncake (box of four HK$ 548).
Kiki Noodle Bar
At Kiki Noodle Bar, it’s the beloved dried sakura shrimp with taro mochi mooncakes that marks the return of Mid-Autumn festivities at the restaurant. Made in Hong Kong in limited quantities — only 1,500 sets — the secret recipe continues the noodle bar’s affinity for innovative serves with a low-sugar mooncake made with chewy glutinous rice centre surrounded by sweet, nutty taro and dried sakura shrimp from Taiwan. Packaged in a box of six, the mooncakes arrive in a sweet bunny-shaped bag with two Peach Oolong teabags for a full pairing.
Vouchers are currently available for pre-orders at any Kiki Noodle Bar or Kiki Tea outpost. Order before 31 August for the early-bird offer: HK$238 (HK$298 for original). Collection period will be from 6 through 20 September.
Dang Wen Li by Dominique Ansel
A brief whisk-away to New York City is what Dang Wen Li by Dominique Ansel has created for this Mid-Autumn celebration. Reminiscent on the bakery’s NYC hometown, the sculptural ‘Fly Me to New York’ gift set (HK$498) displays all the recognised icons of the city’s skyline — yellow cabs, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and Guggenheim Museum — against golden autumnal foliage and in a transparent globe. Inside, a set of six hand-crafted mooncakes in two delectable flavours: earl grey custard and classic custard — both a smooth, velvety finish against golden buttery pastry. Orders can be placed in-stores.
Green Monday
For the health-conscious among us, Green Common has rolled out mooncake variations of its own, completely free of preservatives with zero cholesterol and trans fat. There’s a brand-new range of vegan custard mooncake (HK$308) made using vegan creamery Miyoko’s vegan butter and a squeaky clean-list of ingredients including agave syrup, plant-based milk and flaxseed powder. Also available, the anticipated return of brand’s well-loved speciality mooncakes (HK$328) from the previous year: figs with pistachios and oats, mixed nuts with blueberries and purple sweet potato.
Rosewood Hong Kong
In addition to traditional mooncake flavours, Rosewood Hong Kong is celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with a special collaboration with local food brand Dashijie to reinterpret traditional recipes. The hotel’s mooncakes, named “Love Parcels from the Moon,” are sold in sustainable packages and are curated by Chinese Executive Chef Li Chi-Wai of Legacy House. The collection comprises five flavours, including Rosewood Traditional White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Egg Yolks (HK$498/box) and Rosewood Mini Assorted Flavour Mooncakes (HK$458/box), a selection of classic and creative flavours.
Sift
You’ll find Sift’s selection of mooncakes (HK$202) to be extra delightful this season; a can’t-go-wrong classic that’ll put smile on faces. They’re the crowd-favourite flavour of lava custard! They’re bite-size! They’re shaped like leaping bunnies! Made with Sift’s own signature recipe, the crumbly pastry breaks open to make way for a molten stream of salted egg yolk custard. A most delicious treat this Mid-Autumn Festival.
China Tang
This year, fine dining establishment China Tang is going back to the origins with a collection of modern-classic mooncake boxes (HK$388) with Chinoiserie motifs. Flavours include the “Mini Crafted Egg Custard” mooncakes, which are fluffy-yet-flaky on the outside with a creamy and decadent filling, and the classic “Authentic White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Egg Yolks” mooncakes, made with silky lotus seed paste and golden egg yolks. The colourful boxes are eco-friendly and ca be repurposed for other uses.
The Cakery
In celebration of this year’s Autumn Festival, The Cakery, Hong Kong’s popular health-conscious bakery, has launched a selection of guilt-free mooncakes packaged in an elegant Chinoiserie-inspired gift box (HK$628). The collection includes four inventive flavours, like the refreshing Mango Bean Paste Lava Mooncake and the Taro Bean Paste Mooncake, which celebrates the versatile ingredient.
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