SPOT.ph Roundup: Mesmerizing Mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival 2023

(SPOT.ph) The moon might be defined as a natural satellite, but it’s also more than that. The celestial body is highly revered in many cultures; as in Chinese belief, it is linked to the ideas of gentleness and brightness. On the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (when the moon is thought to be at its fullest and brightest, thus symbolizing abundance, harmony, and luck), the Chinese reunite with loved ones to celebrate what's called the Mid-Autumn Festival. Of course, the traditional holiday is one best commemorated by eating and giving away mooncakes—rich, traditionally baked pastries with fillings like lotus seeds, beans, and other ingredients beneath crusts typically embossed with intricate patterns and designs. Here's where to get your fill of great mooncakes this year.

Also read: 
The Best Chinese Restaurants in Manila for Your Next Celebration 
These Hotel Buffets in Manila Are Worth the Splurge

Get mooncakes from these hotels, restaurants, and other sellers in Manila this 2023:

China Blue by Jereme Leung at Conrad Manila

Award-winning Hong Kong-born chef Jereme Leung zooms into the tradition of mooncakes with his 2023 collection of the Chinese treats. You've got your classic Red Bean with Single Yolk and White Lotus with Single Yolk options, but also more one-of-a-kind flavor variations of Thai Milk Tea with Cashew Nut and Rose Petal with Pineapple Paste.

For orders, contact 8683-3915 or 0917-650-4043 or send an email to Mel.Garrido@conradhotels.com. You can also check out Conrad Manila's Facebook page.

Canton Road at Shangri-La the Fort

Shangri-La the Fort's mooncakes amusingly bear the Canton Road logo embossed on its top crust, and come in these flavors: Pineapple and Walnuts, White Lotus with Salted Egg Yolk, Red Bean and Pine Nuts, Mixed Nuts, Jasmine Tea, and Black Sesame with Salted Egg Yolk. You can also get them in mini (P588 net) and regular (P788 net) sizes, or get them as part of set boxes (starts at P1,688 net/box of two regular mooncakes) or custom hampers.

For orders, send an email to eats.slfm@shangri-la.com or contact 0917-536-3287. You can also check out Shangri-La the Fort's Facebook page.

The Hungry Chef

Chef and blogger Nathaniel Uy showcases his culinary skills while paying tribute to his roots with his scratch-made mooncakes. Flavors range from the classic Black Bean (starts at P200/plain) and Lotus (starts at P210/plain) to the more one-of-a-kind Ube (P240/single yolk) and Empress with XO Sauce (P270); also new to the lineup this year is the Coffee (P200)-flavored variant. These mooncakes are more lush and less sweet and dense than most versions around—so you can have a bigger slice without the umay sinking in.

For orders, fill out The Hungry Chef's order form. You can also check out his Instagram page.

Solaire

Solaire has the essential Traditional mooncakes that you can purchase with just the pastry (starts at P3,688/box of two) or in sets with jasmine tea (starts at P5,888/box of four). But if you're game to go beyond this more common variation, try the Teochew mooncakes (P4,888/box of eight) encased in a flaky crust. Really looking to impress? They've also got luxe mooncakes infused with alcohol—take your pick from the Dalmore Whisky-Infused Mooncake (starts at P28,888/set with 700 ml Dalmore King Alexander).

For orders and inquiries, visit Solaire Resort's website.

Kee Wah Bakery

Hong Kong's Kee Wah Bakery is known for their solid mooncake game. This year's lineup includes the White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with Two Yolks (P3,400/tin of four 185-gram pieces), Golden Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake (P3,400/tin of four 185-gram pieces), Mini Golden Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with Yolk (P2,500/box of eight 60-gram pieces), and Mini White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with Yolk  (P2,500/box of eight 60-gram pieces), and more, all ready to be gifted in sturdy tins.

For orders, visit Kee Wah Bakery's website.

Summer Palace at EDSA Shangri-La

You can't go wrong with classic mooncake flavors in gift-ready boxes—like the kind EDSA Shangri-La's resident Chinese spot Summer Palace has on their roster this year. Choose from White Lotus, Red Bean, Mixed Nuts, Black Sesame, or the relative wildcards that are Durian and Green Tea; these start at P488 nett for a piece, though you can also get them in boxes of multiples.

For delivery orders, visit EDSA Shangri-La's website. You can also check out their Facebook page.

Hilton Manila

Hilton Manila has a fairly wide selection of mooncakes this 2023. Sure, you can go for the traditional Boutique Mooncake Set (P1,888/box of six) with White Lotus, Mixed Nuts with Ham, Black Sesame with Salted Egg, Milk Custard, Red Dates with Walnut, and Coconut flavors—but if you prefer variety, give the smoother Snow Skinned Mooncakes (P2,588/box of six) or flaky Shanghainese Mooncakes (P988/box of eight) a try.

For orders, contact 7239-7788 or 0917-826-6441, or email MNLPH_F&BInquiries@Hilton.com. You can also check out Hilton Manila's Facebook page.

Newport World Resorts

From the integrated resort comes mooncakes in Ube, Red Bean, and Lotus flavors, available as a set of four (complete with their majestic lantern box!) for P3,888. Prefer more texture? Get the Crispy Ube mooncake, available solo for P478. You can preorder until September 1, and they'll be available the whole month of September.

For preorders, contact 7908-8009 or 0917-878-8856. You can also check out Newport World Resorts' Facebook page.

Grand Hyatt Manila

Grand Hyatt's mooncakes are all about that elegant presentation and great balance of flavors. Flavors available are the White Lotus with Salted Egg Yolk
Red Bean, Ube, Black Sesame, Chestnut, and Pandan, with prices starting at P488 for a box of one.

For orders, visit Grand Hyatt Manila's delivery website. You can also check out their Facebook page.

Marriott Hotel Manila

How's about a Mid-Autumn Festival treat with a cause? Marriott Manila's line of mooncakes (P3,388 nett/box of four, P4,388 nett/box of six) includes Red Lotus Paste with Salted Duck Egg Yolk, White Lotus Paste with Salted Duck Egg Yolk, Durian, and Wine Cranberry flavors. Plus, part of the proceeds from purchases of these mooncakes go to a chosen beneficiary of the Marriott Worldwide Business Council Philippines.

For orders, contact 0917-584-9553 or 0917-624-5980, or send an email to manilamarriottrestaurants@marriott.com. You can also check out Manila Marriott Hotel's Facebook page.

Hong Kong MX Mooncakes

This HK brand is known for their contemporary mooncakes—particularly their Lace Lotus Seed Paste Mooncakes (P2,050/box of eight 45-gram pieces) with a gooey yolk that oozes and stretches out when cut and separated in half, and the Lava Custard Mooncakes (P2,700/box of eight 45-gram pieces) with molten centers. More classic flavors are available, too, e.g. the White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with 2 Egg Yolks (P2,500/box of four 185-gram pieces).

For orders, visit Hong Kong MX Mooncakes' website.

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