(SPOT.ph) The moon holds special significance in Chinese tradition, being thought to be linked to the concepts of gentleness and brightness. And come this time of the year—the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is thought to be at its fullest and brightest—Chinese folks around the world celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival, as the full moon is thought to symbolize abundance, harmony, and luck. Most emblematic of the holiday (at least as far as matters of food go) is the pastry known as mooncakes; they're gifted and given away, and their rich, generally sweet character makes for a treat worth looking forward to every single year. Looking for ideas for gifting to friends and family? We've got you covered.
Also read: The Best Chinese Restaurants in Manila for Your Next Celebration
Hit up these hotels and sellers for excellent mooncakes for the coming Mid-Autumn Festival:
Hilton Manila
Hilton Manila features traditional mooncakes—with flavor variations like Red Bean with Single Yolk, Lotus with Single Yolk, Mixed Nuts and White Lotus with Double Yolk, and Red Lotus with Black Sesame and Double Yolk—in chic boxes perfect for gifting. The Lunar Reunion Package (P1,888 nett) with two mooncakes (Red Bean with Single Yolk, Lotus with Single Yolk) is a no-fail option, but for the true food and drink enthusiast you’ll want to get your hands on the Lunar Reunion Premium Hamper (P32,888 nett) which includes a bottle of Dalmore 18 Years Whisky, White Truffle Sunflower Oil, Black Truffle Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and four mooncakes.
For orders, contact 7239-7788 or 0917-826-6442. You can also send an email to mnlph_f&binquiries@hilton.com.
Hong Kong MX Mooncakes
Hong Kong MX is a go-to for classic mooncakes in flavors like the nutty White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with 2 Egg Yolks (starts at P800/single pack) and Mixed Nuts (starts at P2,500/box of four). But they’re also not afraid to break the rules; try modern signatures like the eggy-buttery Cream Custard Mooncake and the Lava Custard Mooncake with a flowing lava-like center (both available as part of the Hongkong MX Custard Duet Mooncake box, P2,200, and other bundles). For the Marvel fans and kids at heart, they’ve also got a special MX "SpiderMan" Mooncake (P1,950/box) this year with four pieces of their Tokachi Red Bean Mooncake.
For orders, visit Hong Kong MX Mooncakes’ delivery website.
Shangri-La the Fort
Classic flavors get a welcome nutty upgrade with the mooncakes of Shangri-La the Fort’s resident Chinese spot Canton Road. Available in mini (P488 nett) and regular (P688 nett) sizes, these come in flavors like Pineapple and Walnut, Mixed Nuts, White Lotus and Salted Egg Yolk, Flaky Red Bean and Pine Nuts, Chestnut with Salted Egg, and Jasmine Tea and Pistachio. For a real impressive gifting option, go for one of their custom mooncake treasure boxes (starts at P3,288 nett).
For orders, visit Shangri-La the Fort’s website.
The Hungry Chef
Nathaniel Uy is a well-known food blogger—and apart from showcasing drool-worthy eats from local establishments on his website and IG feed, he also makes and sells some of the best, uber-rich mooncakes in the Metro come Mid-Autumn festival season. Flavors range from the more classic Black Bean (P185/plain, P190/single yolk, P195/double yolk) and relatively sweeter Lotus (P190/plain, P195/single yolk, P200/double yolk) to more unconventional options like Ube (P210/single yolk) and the Empress Mooncake with XO sauce (P230/single yolk).
For orders, fill out The Hungry Chef's mooncake order form. For more information, check out The Hungry Chef on Instagram.
Grand Hyatt Manila
Grand Hyatt’s mooncakes are sold in premium boxes (P2,388 nett/box of four, P2,988 nett/box of four with wine) that come in a rich red hue for a regal feel—yup, it's a great option when you're looking to impress. Sticklers for tradition will be happy to know they’ve got White Lotus with Salted Egg Yolk, White Lotus, Red Bean, and Black Sesame variants available; those craving Filipino flavors won’t want to miss the Ube.
For orders, contact 8838-1234 or send and email to manila.grand@hyatt.com.
Kee Wah Bakery
Apart from great Chinese cookies and biscuits, Hong Kong brand Kee Wah Bakery’s also home to a range of mooncakes packaged in reusable tins. You can’t go wrong with the Mung Bean Paste Mooncake with 2 Yolks (P3,100/tin of four) or White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake With 1 Egg Yolk (starts at P1,300/tin of four minis), but those who appreciate a savory-sweet treat would be well to try the Chinese Ham Mooncake with Assorted Nuts (starts at P375/tin of one mini).
For orders, visit Kee Wah Bakery’s delivery website.
Conrad Manila
China Blue by Jereme Leung at Conrad Manila gives mooncakes a snazzy Filipino touch with their versions (starts at P3,888) that come in limited-edition designer bags in partnership with local company Rags2Riches. It’s not just about looks, folks; these pastries deliver on the taste front too, coming in flavors like Red bean Single Salted Yolk, White Lotus Single Egg Yolk, Fragrant Pandan with Taro Black Gold Charcoal, and Chocolate Orange.
For orders, visit Conrad Manila’s delivery website.
Edsa Shangri-La
Edsa Shang’s mooncake collection for 2022 goes by the very whimsical moniker “Over the Moon”—and that’s pretty much how you’re bound to feel with their short but sweet line of the Chinese pastry. Choose from Black Sesame, Green Tea, Durian, White Lotus, Mixed Nuts, and Red Bean variants, available individually (P388) or in boxes (starts at P1,788).
For orders, visit Edsa Shangri-La’s delivery website.
Solaire
Solaire's out to demonstrate that there’s more to mooncakes than just the traditional versions baked in a dense and tender crust—although they do have those (starts at P3,688/box of two) in flavors like Lotus Paste and Almond Nut, Red Bean Paste with Pumpkin Seed and Double Egg Yolk, and more. Try the flakier Teochew-style mooncakes (starts at P2,888) in Ube Paste with Egg Yolk and Taro Paste with Egg Yolk variants; or the chilled, lollipop-shaped Snow Skin mooncakes (starts at P6,888 with mini-chiller) in flavors like Dragon Fruit with Lotus Paste and Whisky Chocolate, and Mango with Mango Paste and Mango Chocolate. For the ultimate treat-yo'-self option, they've also got a special Dalmore Whisky-infused mooncake (P28,888/two pieces with 700-ml bottle of whisky).
For orders, visit Solaire’s website.
Marco Polo Ortigas
If you’re a sucker for an intricate mooncake stamp design, definitely consider getting a box or two of the mooncakes (starts at P918/individual box) by Marco Polo Ortigas’ Lung Hin. Flavors include the Red Bean with Double Egg Yolks, White Lotus Seed with Double Egg Yolks, Red Lotus Seed with Double Egg Yolks, and Black Sesame with Double Egg Yolks.
For orders, visit Marco Polo Ortigas’ delivery website.
Also read:
Dim Sum, Pancit, and More Chinese Food Recipes You Can Make At Home
Underrated Chinese Restaurants in Manila
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