Bino

Paradise Group welcomed its most recent dining outlet in July – a Paradise Teochew branch in Takashimaya. The 5,300 square foot space is the second of the same concept by the group, the other being the Scotts Square outlet that was renovated just recently. 

The Takashimaya space is rather swanky, and features a grand entrance evoking a feeling of calm. Unlike many other Chinese restaurants, the space gets a lot of natural light especially when one sits by the elongated windows. Paradise Teochew has 7 VIP rooms which are tastefully done up with recurring motifs of flying swans and marble dining tables adding a touch of sophistication. 

Teochew cuisine is one of Singapore’s most popular but it isn’t usually seen in a similarly glamorous light as, say, Cantonese cuisine. The availability of classic dishes such as braised meats, Teochew porridge and kway chap in coffee shops and hawker centers throughout the country make Teochew cuisine seem pedestrian compared to its regional counterparts. At Paradise Teochew, this perception is somehow mitigated by the masterful technique of the culinary team as well as the premium ingredients included in some of the quintessential dishes.

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It has been almost exactly a year since I first visited Avenue 87. The Amoy Street restaurant with a nice back story helmed by two chefs who both hail from Hougang made quite an impression on me back then. Time flies and the restaurant has rolled out a new menu to keep diners coming back.

There have been quite a few changes aside from the new menu. For a start, one of the chefs behind the duo, Chef Glen Tay, has returned to Singapore after years working in Shanghai. The upstairs bar called Lounge at Avenue 87 is now open as well and serves a number of classic cocktails as well as two special ones that were formulated by the two chefs themselves. I had the Botanic (S$21), a refreshing drink concocted by Chef Alex (the other chef behind the duo) that highlights Asian profiles with Rojak Gin, Melati and Indian tonic. 

Avenue 87 has two types of dinner sets. The 5-course set goes for S$98++ while the 7-course set goes for S$142++. Beverage pairings are also available. During this particular occasion, I tried the 7-course set.

A trio of Snacks graced our table to whet the appetite. Some, like the kueh pie tee, invoked memories of the excellent one from their 2020 menu. This time, the kueh pie tee is stuffed with rojak – a mix of cucumber, apple, turnip, shallots and vinegar – and indeed felt like downing rojak in one bite-sized serving. The other snacks like the camembert and prawn sphere also provided for a worthy start to the meal. 

As with the previous menu, we get a sashimi course as well. The Amberjack (kingfish) came marinated in sesame, ponzu and soy sauce.

The Tofu course pays homage to quite a rare hawker dish. Say Seng in Dunman Food Centre has this dish called “Tau Kwa Pau” or essentially a tau kwa made into the shape of a box in order to contain some meat fillings. To be frank, I never heard of tau kwa pau before so I was quite intrigued by this dish. In Avenue 87’s version, the tau kwa pau is filled with OmniMeat, shallots, garlic and cucumber, topped with onsen-style quail egg and comes with dark caramel soy sauce. The flavors here are quite robust, especially after putting in the soy sauce as the tart-like tau kwa successfully absorbs everything.

Chef Glen thought of the Monkey Head as a mala style soup after reminiscing about his days searching for the perfect mala hot pot in Shanghai. Since mala has also entered the mainstream here in Singapore, it makes sense to introduce the heaty and peppery dish at Avenue 87 as well. 

The main ingredients are all kept aside upon presentation to allow for a degree of customization. After pouring in the monkey head mushroom, shark fin melon, cordyceps, hairy gourd and goji berries; the diner then opens the accompanying packet that contains the stock and another packet that contains the mala oil to pour into the bowl. The soup itself was quite a satisfying break from the bold flavors of the preceding dish. As for the spiciness level, the mala itself does not hit you immediately. It starts to sink in after a couple of sips but I still found the spice level quite tolerable overall.

The Daikon is the chef’s interpretation of carrot cake. This is an atas version of carrot cake, if you will and even comes with a plump piece of Hokkaido scallop and butter yuzu foam. I love a good piece of carrot cake and what struck me about the one at Avenue 87 was how they managed to achieve the perfect balance where this staple is concerned – and that’s having a crispy exterior and delightfully soft and moist interior.

My favorite dish of the evening has got to be the Beef Short Ribs. Succulent pieces of beef, made tender from 14 hours of sous vide, is roasted char siew style complete with a caramelized edge and distinct smokiness. The meat is made to lie on a bed of garlic rice and topped with spring onion. Without having to result to any formal description of how this dish tasted, I can truly say that this was so good.

For Pre-Dessert, we were served an appetizing osmanthus jelly with pomelo, goji berries and plum powder.

The first dessert, the Coconut, is a thoughtful reinterpretation of chendol. Now, chendol is probably one of the most frequently reinterpeted local desserts out there but I have to say I quite like how they did it here. The main reason is because of all the different textures present. There’s soft risotto rice and azuki beans at the bottom-most layer, jelly in the middle and as an added surprise – puffed rice that is only added upon serving. Achieving the chendol taste aside, it was the contrast between the crispy and soft rice that made this dessert, in my opinion.

Hougang is generally thought of as the epicenter of the Teochew community in Singapore so it is perhaps an apt ending for the duo to showcase a quintessential Teochew dessert, albeit in a different way. The Taro course shows how “orh nee” can take on various textures and elements. Familiar ingredients like yam, gingko nuts and pumpkin are present but here, they take the form of ice cream and financier or are roasted to produce a degree of caramelization.

Judging from the buzz I heard during Avenue 87’s first year, it seems like reception was quite positive during their debut so expectations are probably high for the restaurant’s second chapter this year. I am happy to say that Avenue 87’s 2021 menu did not disappoint. Dishes were new to their repertoire but they don’t stray from their core as an establishment offering imaginative versions of local and regional cuisine.

Avenue 87
47 Amoy Street
Singapore 069873

+65 6970 5491

Avenue 87 Food Menu

Opening Hours

Daily except Tuesdays and Sundays
Lunch: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner: 5:30pm – 10pm

 

Ding Bakery

Ding Bakery heralds the mid-autumn festival with an assortment of traditional as well as snowskin mooncake flavors. For this year, they are offering the Signature White Lotus Mooncake which comes with no or double yolks. For those who seek something slightly different yet familiar, the Premium Pandan Jade Lotus Mooncake which comes with no or double yolks is another crowd pleaser. Customers can buy these flavors separately or as a box of assorted flavors.

Among snowskin flavors, Ding Bakery is offering earthy and creamy culinary grade Matcha Snowskin Mooncake, sinful and exquisite Pure Cacao Dark Chocolate Snowskin Mooncake, succulent and exotic Passionfruit and Mango Snowskin Mooncake as well as fresh Earliglow Strawberry Snowskin Mooncake. Each box of snowskin mooncakes comes with 2 pieces of each flavor. Durian lovers can check out their MSW Durian Premium Snowskin Mooncake made with real and authentic Mao Shan Wang Durian from the highlands of Pahang.

The box: Baked mooncakes come in a blue bi-level box with handle while snowskin mooncakes come in a light green box with floral motif.

Dates: Now until 21^st September (delivery starts on 8^th August)

Prices: From S$67.40 per box (4pcs baked) / S$83.40 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Order here (mooncakes still available but no boxes left / free delivery with minimum S$100 order)

Gin Thye

*STILL AVAILABLE* Popular online baker, Gin Thye, is rolling out is mooncake offering this year with less sugar. There are no less than 10 flavors available including Pandan Pure Lotus, Bamboo Charcoal Green Tea, Lotus Paste and more. For lovers of flaky Teochew mooncakes, Gin Thye offers them with Flaky Yam Paste, or as Single / Double Yolk. For lovers of durian snowskin mooncakes, Gin Thye has also rolled out this year’s assortment, with 1 box of 4pcs of Mao Shan Wang snowskin going for as low as S$35.90 per box.

The box: Gin Thye’s traditional mooncakes come with a fancy box while the Teochew mooncakes come in a long tin box.

Dates: Ongoing

Prices: From S$24.90 per box (4pcs)

Order here (still available beyond mid-autumn festival; minimum of just S$20 order for free delivery)

Shangri-la Singapore

In commemoration of Shangri-la Singapore’s 50th anniversary, the hotel is offering an Aged 50-year Mandarin Peel, Rose and Red Bean Paste Mooncake available in limited quantities. For those who prefer traditional baked mooncakes, Shangri-la Singapore is again offering them all in reduced sugar versions. Bestsellers such as White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with no / single / double yolk and Mixed Nuts with Chicken Ham are available.

Two types of snowskin mooncakes grace the mid-autumn catalog of Shangri-la Singapore. The Premium Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin aims to delight lovers of this delectable fruit while the Kaya with Reduced Sugar White Lotus Seed Snowskin is a treat for those looking for a local flair for their mooncakes.

The box: Snowskin mooncakes will come in a tin box while traditional baked mooncakes will come in a box that can be reconfigured to store jewelry. Customers can choose between 3 colors for this box – blue, gold and red. The Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest mooncakes come in a round box

Dates: From now until 1st October 2020 

Prices: From S$76 per box (4pcs baked) / S$78 per box (8pcs snowskin) / Mini Baked Custard with Bird’s Nest goes for S$238 for 9pcs

Order here (sold out)

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza

After personally observing Singapore’s mooncake scene for the past 6 years, I have pretty much noted how Wan Hao at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza can consistently have one of the most popular mooncakes each year. I vividly remember they even ran out of boxes 3 weeks prior to Mid-autumn festival last year due to strong sales. The hotel notably manufactures its bakes inhouse and its mooncakes have no preservatives or artificial flavors. 

Bestsellers include their conventional White Lotus Seed Paste with Single/Double Yolk Baked Mooncake and White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts which are baked to a majestic golden brown. A new flavor of baked mooncakes this year is the Green Bean Paste with Pumpkin Seeds “Gai Zai Bing” Baked Mooncake which evokes nostalgia with its mix of sweet and salty. For those feeling luxurious, check out the property’s gold-dusted Black Truffle Baked Mooncake with San Daniele Ham, Single Yolk and Pistachios. Essentially, it has white lotus as its base with the flavor enhanced with black truffles and the ham rendering a rather savory profile.

Those who prefer snowskin mooncakes will be spoiled for choice. New flavors from Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza include the Luxurious Rose Bird’s Nest with Golden Custard Paste Snowskin Mooncake, an indulgent treat with a generous portion of bird’s nest at its core. For something more accessible, there’s the Champagne Truffle with Milk Green Bean Paste Snowskin Mooncake, Cognac Truffle with Chestnut Paste Snowskin Mooncake and the White Rabbit Truffle with Cranberry Paste Snowskin Mooncake. The hotel’s Pure Mao Shan Wang Premium Grade Durian Snowskin Mooncake will again make a comeback with its rich and creamy durian pulp encased in velvety-soft snowskin.

The box: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza’s two-layered mooncake box for 2021 can be repurposed as a jewelry box. It features an auspicious red for good luck and gold ornate peonies to symbolize romance, joy and prosperity. 

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$74 per box (4pcs traditional / 8pcs snowskin)

Order here (use exclusive Marriott mooncake promo code “BINO25” for 25% discount on mooncake orders – promo code valid for online/ walk-in / email and phone orders – for phone orders, call +65 6831 4708 quoting the promo code or email: singaporemarriott.festive@marriott.com or walk-in by dropping by the hotel lobby in Orchard)

Four Seasons Durians

One of Singapore’s most well-known durian pastry brands has finally started offering its durian mooncakes for 2021. They are offering two types of durian mooncakes, the Sultan Durian Mooncake which comes in regular and mini sizes as well as the Mao Shan Wang Durian Mooncake which also comes in regular and mini sizes. They have started production quite early this year, and have opened up delivery slots of these coveted durian treats from as early as mid-July.

The box: The mooncakes will be stored in a tin box with cooler bag.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$69 per box (4pcs MSW mooncakes)

Order here (free delivery with minimum S$50 order)

Peach Garden

To usher in the mooncake festival, Peach Garden is offering some unique flavors to mark the occasion. One such flavor is the Premium Mala Paste Mooncake with Assorted Nuts. The crust is made with beetroot, giving it a reddish complexion. Inside, the mala sauce is mixed together with almond, beetroot, candied wintermelon, dried tangerine, egg, lemon, melon seed, oil and sesame seed – rendering this to be a mooncake you will never forget. Among their bestsellers from past years, their Premium Jackfruit Paste with Melon Seeds Mooncake and Signature Premium White Lotus Paste Mooncake are making a comeback. Among snowskin flavors, Peach Garden is offering these bite-sized treats as a box of 8pcs – where you can also order assorted snowskin flavors such as Mini Snowskin Rose Paste with Champagne Truffle Mooncake, Signature Mini Snowskin White Lotus Paste Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts, Signature Mini Snowskin Golden Pandan Paste with One Yolk Mooncake and Mini Snowskin Milk Tea Paste with Peanut Butter Truffle Mooncake.

The box: Peach Garden’s mooncakes are stored in a premium red soft box with tote bag.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$52.16 per box (4pcs baked / 8pcs snowskin)

Order here (free delivery on orders above S$50)

Mdm Ling Bakery

Mdm Ling Bakery is once again resurrecting their cookie-inspired mooncake series. This ensemble of 4 mooncake flavors was their bestseller last year. Returning customers can once again look forward to their Cookie-inspired Local Kopi Siew Dai Mooncake, Cookie-inspired Pink Himalayan Salt Chocolate Almond Mooncake, Cookie-inspired Purple Sweet Potato Mooncake with Pandan Lotus Paste and the Cookie-inspired Mung Bean with Sesame-Lotus Paste. With this, Mdm Ling Bakery has also launched a new series – the Lavalicious Mooncake which is supposed to ooze out lava from the core. Flavors from this series include the Japanese Matcha, Nanyang Coffee Caramel, Hong Kong Salted Egg Custard and Finest Belgian Chocolate and Italian Chocolate Hazelnut.

The box: Mdm Ling Bakery mooncakes come in 3 kinds of box – those that can be repurposed to play international chess, Chinese imperial chess as well as snakes and ladders.

Dates: Ongoing

Prices: From S$46.50 per box (4pcs)

Order here (free delivery with minimum order of S$50)

Fyre Singapore

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Fyre Singapore is presenting a luxurious collection of traditional baked, Teochew Flaky and hand-crafted snowskin mooncakes curated by industry experts. A running theme in their mooncakes this year is the infusion of Japanese Sakura cherry blossom in their mooncake collection which lends a highly floral note when combined with other ingredients such as lychee and cranberry. Traditional baked flavors include the Sakura Cherry Blossom Lychee which has options of cranberry, single yolk and double yolks. For those who prefer the thousand layered flaky type of Teochew mooncakes, Fyre Singapore is presenting the Teochew Taro Yam Lotus and Teochew Sakura Cherry Blossom Lychee Lotus for a crispy handmade treat.

For lovers of snowskin mooncakes, Fyre Singapore is combining the Sakura cherry blossom flavor with luscious MSW durian or customers can also choose a 100% Black Gold MSW by itself. The durian filling is made with hand-peeled durians that are freshly harvested from farm and processed in a controlled environment, ensuring freshness in every bite. The former is the only hybrid durian mooncake flavor I have encountered thus far this year.

The box: Decked in a luxurious rose gold themed gift box, the package is eye-catching and luxurious.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$78.80 per box (4pcs Teochew Flaky ) / S$88.80 per box (4pcs Traditional Baked ) / S$118.80 per box (4pcs Hand-Crafted Snowskin)

Order here (25% to 35% early bird discount)

Bread Garden

Bread Garden celebrates the mooncake festival with a number of old favorites and new mooncake flavors. The bakery which specializes in seasonal delights from CNY to Christmas and everything in between, has no less than 30 different flavors of traditional and snowskin mooncakes this year. Bestsellers include the MSW Durian, Coco Lava, Lychee Roselle and Yuzu Mango. New flavors for 2021 include Cheesy Royale and Nutty Sesame that ooze with a load of custardy cream cheese and aromatic peanut butter with peanut bits respectively. These two flavors come in both snowskin and baked skin varieties. 

Bread Garden’s mooncakes can be purchased online or from one of their 4 outlets. They have branches in Bukit Batok, Segar, Woodlands and Yishun.

The box: Bread Garden’s 2-tier gift box exudes timeless elegance and sophistication with its inviting blue and orange hues. The gift box is also adorned with a golden blooming peony as a feature piece, effortlessly capturing the attention of those who pass by it. 

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$42 per box (4pcs baked) / S$60 per box (4pcs snowskin)

Order here

The Marmalade Pantry

The Marmalade Pantry continues its practice of using stylish bags to house its mooncake collection this year. For 2021, one can look out for new flavors such as Pandan Kaya with Melon Seeds which is distinct for having kaya paste at the center. Another new flavor is the Classic Earl Grey Infused Lotus Paste which comes with the floral notes of this well-appreciated tea against a most familiar lotus paste. As with previous years, The Marmalade Pantry will once again offer its Baked Charcoal with Black Sesame and Macadamia Nuts with its recognizable charcoal crust and touch of edible gold flakes. All of The Marmalade Pantry’s mooncakes this year are made with low-sugar and don’t contain lard.

The box: Mooncakes come in two kinds of boxes and both are made with rattan webbing and PVC leather. The smaller handcarry can easily house 4 mooncakes while the larger one can contain up to 16 mooncakes.

Dates: 13th August to 21st September 2021 (pre-order available now)

Prices: From S$72 per box (4pcs)

Order here

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

2021’s mooncake collection from Crowne Plaza Changi Airport include the White Lotus Orange Paste with Melon Seeds, a new flavor, sitting alongside perennial favorites such as the White Lotus Paste with Double / Single Yolk, Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts and Nyonya Mixed Nuts baked mooncakes. Their snow skin mooncakes this year are inspired by Asian desserts, comprising new flavors – Yuzu and Adzuki Beans as well as bestsellers from the past – Mango Pomelo and Orh Nee (Yam Paste with Gingko Nuts). 

The box: The hotel’s mooncake box takes the form of a rectangular plum or royal blue casing.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$70 per box (4pcs baked) / S$74 per box (4pcs snowskin)

Order here (35% discount – delivery options available)

Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy

Jia Wei – the inhouse Chinese restaurant at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is offering its mooncakes in limited quantities only. Flavors this year include the White Lotus Baked Mooncake in Single or Double Yolk as well as the White Lotus Baked Mooncake with Melon Seeds. Their snowskin mooncake selection include MSW Durian Mini Snowskin, Salted Yam Mini Snowskin and Lychee Mini Snowskin. The property is likely to be the only one to offer a yam-flavored snowskin mooncake this year.

While several hotels manufacture their snowskin mooncakes inhouse, Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy is one of the exceedingly few hotels that also manufacture their traditional baked mooncakes inhouse. Their mooncakes tend to run out quite early in the season so it’s advisable to take advantage of their early bird offer if their mooncakes are of interest. I personally tried their baked mooncakes and found the texture softer than other brands and this is probably due to the lack of preservatives used in the pastry.

The box: Mooncakes are housed in a cardboard box with an illustration of the famous shophouse row in Koon Seng Road. The individual mooncake boxes feature Peranakan tilework patterns.

Dates: From now until 21st September 2021 (currently open for early bird orders)

Prices: From S$62 per box (4pcs baked) / S$70 per box (8pcs snowskin) – prices before GST

Order here (up to 20% off)

Si Chuan Dou Hua

Those looking for halal mooncakes in 2021 can check out Si Chuan Dou Hua’s range. This year, their new Lychee Paste with Rose baked mooncake makes a debut with its gentle floral notes and sweet scent of lychees. I have personally tried it and I enjoyed the mixture of floral and fruity flavors here without being too sweet. Alongside this, they also have conventional baked flavors such as White Lotus which comes in single and double yolks and the onyx black Charcoal White Lotus Macadamia Nuts mooncakes.

The box: Si Chuan Dou Hua’s mooncake box for 2021 is an elegant red and blue clutch featuring peony blooms. Each clutch comes with a pouch containing the restaurant’s exclusive tea blend called Noble.

Dates: 12th July to 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$68 per box (4pcs traditional)

Order here (sold out)

Capitol Kempinski Singapore

Capitol Kempinski Singapore is focusing on traditional flavors for 2021, with all their mooncakes coming in handy mini versions as with previous years. Among snowskin flavors, highlights this year include the Strawberry Snowskin, a medley of white chocolate, whipping cream, strawberry coulis strawberry chunks and Valrhona strawberry inspiration while the glorious Champagne Truffle Snowskin makes its debut with white chocolate, whipped cream, champagne, champagne paste, white lotus paste and champagne truffle. The hotel’s signature cocktail – the Plantation 1840 is also recreated into a sumptuous morsel courtesy of the hotel’s Mini Valrhona & Plantation 1840 Truffle Mooncake. 

Among their range of traditional mooncake flavors, the Mini White Lotus Paste with Egg Yolk leads this year’s pack and is a new addition to their collection. Encased within is pure lotus paste with a golden salted egg yolk, scrumptiously nestled in its core.  The Mini White Lotus Macadamia Nuts meanwhile brings with it a satisfying crunch to the affair with macadamia nuts interspersed throughout the pure lotus paste.

The box: This year’s mooncakes from Capitol Kempinski Hotel are presented in the same  multi-functional crimson red wooden jewelry box. A new addition this year is a jade-colored version of that same box. The design draws its main inspiration from two key landmarks of Singapore’s Civic District – Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES.

Dates: 6th August to 21st September 2021 (pre-orders available now)

Prices: From S$79 per box (8pcs traditional) / S$80 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Order here (20% discount + mooncake delivery available)

Swensen’s

Swensen’s is bringing back its popular mochi-snowskin ice cream mooncakes. Featuring a soft and mochi-like skin and various ice cream flavors within, this dessert is a good alternative to the conventional snowskin mooncakes that many hotels and Chinese restaurants are offering. For this year, Swensen’s is making available 2 brand new flavors – Maple Macchiato as well as Black Milk Tea. Alongside these new flavors, customers can also choose old favorites such as Cookies n Cream, Sticky Chewy Chocolate, Chempedak, Yam and Strawberry.

The box: Swensen’s has collaborated with talented artists from The Art Faculty (TAF) this year to launch the limited-edition furoshiki wrap packaging for the brand’s Box of 4 mochi-snowskin ice cream mooncakes, available in three beautiful prints at limited quantities. 

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$10.90 (per piece) / S$39.80 per box (4pcs)

Order here

Hong Kong MX (Meixin)

Hong Kong Meixin’s mooncakes are a guilty pleasure each year. They are known for their custard mooncakes which contain lava fillings inside which ooze out when the pastry is sliced with a knife. This year, they are offering four varieties of lava custard mooncakes –Lava Custard mooncake, Lava Cheese mooncake, Lava Chocolate mooncake and the Lava Caramel Macchiato mooncake. You can purchase these flavors separately or as a Lava Quartet with 2 pieces of each flavor. Hong Kong Meixin’s lava mooncakes are manufactured such that one can still get that molten effect even without heating. This is possible due to the double baking technique that the mooncakes go through but I would still personally recommend heating them in a microwave for exactly 5 seconds to get the optimal molten effect. The mooncakes also taste better when eaten slightly warm. 

The box: The mooncakes come in a rectangular gift box with the predominant color dependent on the flavor purchased.

Prices: From S$66.00 (box of 8pcs of lava custard mooncakes)

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Order here (free delivery for orders of S$40 and above)

Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore

For Mid-Autumn Festival 2021, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore presents a curated selection of snowskin and traditional baked mooncakes. New flavors include the baked Osmanthus Oolong and Lychee Tea Paste with Macadamia mooncake that boasts subtle floral, fruity and nutty notes as well as the Mini Snowskin Amber Treasure mooncake which comes from Summer Pavilion’s signature cocktail of the same name. It’s comprised of red date infused liquor and house blend vermouth. Bestsellers like the hotel’s signature Mini Snowskin Lycheetini mooncakes which comprise a mix of real lychee bits with the same fruit liqueur and their Snowskin ‘Mao Shan Wang’ Durian mooncakes will likewise be available. Other flavors include the Mini Snowskin Green Tea, and the Mini Snowskin White Lotus Seed Paste with Yolk mooncakes.

The box: Traditional baked mooncakes are presented in a square wooden box while snowskin mooncakes come in a rectangular wooden box.

Dates: Now to 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$74 per box (4pcs traditional) / from S$72 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Order here (sold out)

Zhen Wei

Zhen Wei makes a comeback this year with its delightful array of flaky Teochew Yam mooncakes. Those who remembered the Takashimaya mooncake fair of past years would remember how their mooncakes used to be baked on the spot and served to customers fresh and hot. As there still won’t be any physical mooncake fair this year, Zhen Wei is selling their mid-autumn treats online. Teochew mooncake lovers can still obtain that “hot from the oven” feeling by putting these baked goods in the microwave oven for a few seconds. They have Teochew mooncake flavors such as Yam, Pumpkin, Sesame and Single/Double Yolk. Apart from this, Zhen Wei also offers classic baked mooncakes – White Lotus Paste with No/Single/Double Yolk.

The box: Zhen Wei has different types of boxes depending on the number of mooncakes purchased. For the 4pc set, they use a beige hard box that can be reused as a tissue box.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$13.50 per piece / from S$4.70 for box of 4pcs

Order here (sold out)

Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre

*Top Halal Mooncake Pick* Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre has been out of the mooncake scene the past years and 2021 is the first time in 5 years that the hotel is again offering this mid-autumn treat. Their focus for this season is solely on traditional baked mooncakes with flavors such as the Green Tea Baked Mooncake, Lychee Baked Mooncake, Black Sesame Baked Mooncake, White Lotus Baked Mooncake with / without yolk and more. Slightly more than half of their mooncake flavors are halal.

The box: Each set of 4pcs of mooncakes is presented in a tiffin carrier that pays tribute to Singapore’s rich culinary heritage.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$70 (4pcs per box)

Order here (20% discount)

Regent Singapore

*Exclusive Deal* Regent Singapore is offering a most luscious and luxurious Bird’s Nest Custard & Gold Leaf Snowskin Mooncake filled with rich and creamy custard on the outside and a generous portion of birds’ nest at its core. On top of the mochi skin, one can also find bits of foil made of real gold. These mooncakes come in full sizes and each piece can easily satisfy 2 or even up to 4 persons, as compared to the rest of the hotel’s snowskin flavors which are in mini sizes. Among the snowskin mooncakes I have come across this year, this bird’s nest mooncake from Regent is definitely the most premium and even ranks more favorably against other mooncake providers that offer birds’ nest mooncakes due to sheer size and the amount of bird’s nest filling inside each piece. The bird’s nest is found throughout the custard. If you are searching around for mooncakes to give as gifts, these are hard to top.

As an exclusive offer to readers of I Wander, customers can purchase Regent Singapore’s birds nest mooncakes in sets of 2 pieces at a special price as as compared to the set available to the public which comes in 4 pieces. The exclusive 2-piece bird’s nest mooncake set goes for just S$118 as compared to the S$388 (S$291 after the discount) for the 4-piece one that is available to the public.

The box: The mooncakes will come in a leather travel case that can transform into practical and elegant carriers. 

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: S$118 per box after GST (2pcs full-sized bird’s nest mooncake)

Order here (sold out)

InterContinental Singapore

Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore continues its tea-themed mooncakes this year with its “Secret Garden” – a celebration of traditional and floral tea ambrosial infusions. The snowskin mooncakes, in particular, are shaped in Man Fu Yuan’s signature rose shape. Flavors include the Japanese Matcha Green Tea with Osmanthus Truffle, Oolong Peach with Black Sesame Truffle, Earl Grey Baileys Cream Truffle and Rose Flower Tea Truffle with Pistachio. For those with a penchant for classics, Man Fu Yuan has also spiced up its repertoire with the new Red Bean Tangerine Paste Mooncake which can be had with single or double yolks. Other artisanal mooncakes include the White Lotus Paste with Single of Double Yolk, Assorted Nuts and the Macadamia White Lotus Low Sugar mooncake.

The box: InterContinental Singapore’s mooncake box this year takes the form of a keepsake tin with a motif of flowers and birds. The tin can be opened to reveal a two-tiered afternoon tea stand inside. 

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$68 (4pcs baked) / S$88 (4pcs snowskin)

Order here (sold out)

Pan Pacific Singapore

Hai Tien Lo at Pan Pacific Singapore is again offering its popular White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake, White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with Macadamia Nuts and Jade Pandan Paste Mooncake with Melon Seeds. These perennial favorites are offered this year with reduced sugar. For those seeking something new, the hotel is debuting the Pu Er Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake which blends the earthy notes of the tea along with the fragrance of lotus paste, as a nod to the tea-appreciating festival. You can sample all their baked mooncake flavors in one box with the Four Treasures Baked Mooncake Set.

For lovers of snowskin varieties, Pan Pacific Singapore continues to offer its bestselling Mao Shan Wang Durian Snowskin Mooncake, Matcha Black Sesame Snowskin Mooncake and Gianduja Yuzu Snowskin Mooncake. New to their repertoire this year are the Mango Passionfruit Snowskin Mooncake and the Virgin Singapore Sling Snowskin Mooncake – a refreshing option with a tinge of pineapple flavor. You can also buy Hai Tien Lo’s snowskin mooncakes as a Four Treasures Snowskin Set of 4pcs with 1 piece of each flavor excluding the MSW Durian.

Pan Pacific Singapore’s mooncakes are made inhouse and they don’t use preservatives so the shelf life of their mooncakes are shorter than others.

The box: Mooncakes are encased in a ruby-red leather-esque box imprinted with motifs of birds and flowers similar to a Chinese painting.

Dates: 14th June to 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$76.80 per box (4 pcs traditional) / from S$80 per box (4pcs )

Conrad Centennial Singapore

Conrad Centennial Singapore is offering its old favorites alongside new flavors for 2021’s collection of mooncakes. The Royal Hazelnut Crunch Snowskin and Green Tea Snowskin will again make their return while new flavors such as the Honey Osmanthus Snowskin and Açaí, Goji Berries and Dates Snowskin – presentend in a low-sugar version – keep their mooncake catalog fresh to current trends. The property is also one of the few hotels in Singapore that sells the Teochew-style Sweet Potato in Crispy Filo Pastry.

The box: Conrad Centennial Singapore’s mooncake box this year comes in textured faux crocodile leather. It can be repurposed as a sturdy jewelry or small storage case.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$82 per box (4pcs baked) / S$88 per box (8pcs snowskin)

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Raffles Hotel Singapore

The iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore continues to expand its range of mooncake flavors this year, particularly in the area of snowskin mooncakes. Building on the usual success of their Champagne Truffle Snowskin Mooncake which will again be available in 2021, the property is also offering the new Da Li Rose and Strawberry Chocolate Snowskin Mooncake. Noted for its aroma and sweetness, the Da Li Rose comes with the fruity notes of strawberry chocolate to balance out the sweet treat. Also making a debut this year is the Yunnan Dark Brown and Truffle Snowskin Mooncake. The dark brown sugar comes caramelized and comes with a tinge of rum and candied winter melon for an earthy aftertaste. This mooncake is meant to go well with a cup of Chinese tea or an evening alcoholic drink.

Among traditional mooncake flavors, Raffles Hotel Singapore is offering the Double Yolk with Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste Mooncake, Mother-of-Pearl with Single Yolk and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake and Pine Nuts with Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake.

The box: Raffles Hotel Singapore’s mooncakes comes in two types of boxes. Snowskin mooncakes are encased in the usual square tin boxes while traditional baked mooncakes come in a hard cardboard box with floral motif.

Dates: Now to 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$78 per box (8pcs snowskin or 4pcs traditional)

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Goodwood Park Hotel

Goodwood Park Hotel presents a tropical-themed snowskin mooncake collection this year with its new flavor – the Tropicana snowskin mooncake featuring an alluring combination of coconut and passion fruit puree with chunks of pineapple and coconut flakes. Other snowskin flavors are likewise a nod to Singapore’s tropical setting – the Cempedak as well as Mango with Pomelo snowskin will again make a return. The hotel is also well-known for its durian desserts and their durian snowskin selection this year will include the D24 Durian, Mao Shan Wang Durian as well as the Black Thorn Durian, the latter clad with intense black snowskin.

Among baked varieties, a picture-worthy new flavor this year from Goodwood Park Hotel is the Chicky Duo. These handcrafted snacks are shaped like chicks by the dimsum chefs of Min Jiang. Inside, the filling is made with white lotus paste with a quarter of a salted egg yolk at the center. The crust is made of light buttery pastry.

The box: Goodwood Park Hotel’s mooncakes are presented in boxes with gold floral motifs. They also have a limited edition deluxe packaging available at extra S$20 for the baked mooncakes. The deluxe box comes with more intricate motids and an auspicious gold and red design.

Dates: 13th August to 21st September 2021 

Prices: From S$70 per box (4pcs baked) / S$13.80 per pair of the Chicky Duo / from S$65 (4pcs snowskin)

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Furama Singapore

With a mooncake collection keenly focused on baked classics, Furama Singapore launches a quartet for 2021 consisting of the Lychee White Lotus Seed Paste with Melon Seeds, White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk, White Lotus Seed Paste with Macadamia Nuts and Classic Black Sesame Paste. The highlight among these 4 is the Lychee White Lotus Paste which carries a tinge of fruitiness that goes along with the usual lotus paste. The melon seeds add texture and also provides for a nutty finish. All of their mooncake flavors except for the Classic Black Sesame Paste are low-sugar. Their mooncakes are also Muslim-friendly.

Furama Singapore also has the Furama Golden Ticket – a digital voucher that customers can buy and gift to their loved ones to redeem a number of items from the hotel including a box of mooncakes or a dinner buffet or a goodie bag. 

The box: Furama Singapore’s mooncake gift box is a little bit different from the rest in the sense that it is a pull-out drawer-type on one side and cabinet type on the other. The boxes look quite premium with their golden drawers and handle as well as laser-cut floral motif.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021 (collection starts on the 1st of September)

Prices: S$62.80 per box (4pcs baked)

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JWMarriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

2021 is the first time that Madame Fan will be offering snowskin mooncakes. Flavors include the Green Apple with Soju Truffle, Milk Tea with Bailey Truffle, Pineapple Cempedak and Mocha with Chocolate Truffle. For those who enjoyed the hotel’s baked selections in the previous years, their Baked Blueberry Paste with Chia Seeds mooncake will again make a return this year. This particular flavor dates back from 2019.

The box: Mooncake boxes come in two colors – blue blossom and Peranakan teal with two-tiered drawers and legs.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021 (collection starts 6th August)

Prices: From S$80 per box (4pcs baked) / S$82 (8pcs snowskin)

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Fairmont Singapore

Fairmont Singapore presents no less than 7 mooncake flavors for 2021 comprising well-loved classics as well as new creations. Their bestsellers include the Plain White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake, a perennial festive favorite crafted to golden brown perfection and enveloped in a pure velvety lotus paste; the Single Yolk in White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake, an oldie but goodie with an inviting aroma and flavour of rich orange yolk, encased within smooth lotus paste and which is also available with double yolks.

Among snowskin mooncakes, bestsellers include the exquisite Champagne Truffle and Chocolate Ganache Snowskin Mooncake with a generous dose of liquor and silky chocolate goodness; the delightful Rum & Raisin Chocolate Truffle Snowskin Mooncake; and the creamy Sea Salt Caramel Snowskin Mooncake with bold tones of caramel and a perfectly balanced sweet-savoury taste. New this year is a flavor inspired by a familiar childhood candy. The White Rabbit Candy Snowskin Mooncake brings an instant nostalgia with each bite.

The box: Fairmont Singapore’s mooncakes this year come in a blue box with drawers that can be repurposed for storage.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021 (delivery and collection starts from 7th August)

Prices: From S$74 per box (4pcs baked) / S$76 per box (8pcs snowskin)

Order here (sold out)

Mandarin Oriental Singapore

New flavors From Cherry Garden at Mandarin Oriental Singapore this year include the traditional baked Chestnut Paste with Hokkaido Milk, Apricot and Melon Seeds, Tieguanyin with Macadamia Nuts and the Pandan Coconut snowskin. Their baked flavors are among the most delicious I’ve encountered this year. Those who like tea-themed mooncakes may enjoy their BiluoChun Green Tea with Guava and Chestnut snowskin. Mandarin Oriental Singapore is also offering a series of low-sugar baked mooncakes such as the Low Sugar Silver Lotus Paste with 1 / 2 yolks and the Lychee Martini and Chocolate Truffle. Mandarin Oriental Singapore uses the term “silver lotus paste” rather than the usual white lotus paste as their mooncakes’ lower sugar content renders a lighter color of lotus paste filling as compared to the browner regular white lotus paste.

Among luxury hotels, Mandarin Oriental Singapore is one of the very few that allows customers to buy single pieces of the traditional baked mooncakes rather than the entire box. Single pieces will be housed in individual tins.

The box: The mooncake boxes from Mandarin Oriental Singapore come embellished with elegant floral motifs and can house either 2/4pcs of the traditional mooncakes or 8pcs for snowskin mooncakes. The format of their boxes is slightly different than others in the sense that within the main gift box, the small individual boxes encasing the mooncakes are made of tin rather than the paper boxes usually found elsewhere for the individual packaging.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$80 (4pcs traditional / 8pcs snowskin)

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Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

Jiang Nan Chun’s iconic Smoked Duck with Assorted Nuts and Lime makes a return – a most savory type of baked mooncake prepared over a wood-fire oven. Apart from this, you will also find on the menu the usual flavors such as Silver Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts and Silver Lotus Paste with Single/Double Yolk. Within Four Seasons Singapore’ snowskin mooncake collection, there are a couple of new flavors such as Kumquat and Lemon. Gloved in a soft, Mandarin snowskin, a kumquat gelée gem lies shrouded in a vanilla-lemon pastry cream. A bestseller to watch out for this season is the exquisite Bird’s Nest with Custard mooncake where a velvety custard gently envelopes a core made up of bird’s nest.

The box: Four Seasons Singapore’s mooncake box this year is a blue or peach-colored floral jewelry box with four drawers and a plum blossom motif.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021 (collection begins 10th August)

Prices: From S$80 (4pcs baked) / S$82 (4pcs snowskin)

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St. Regis Singapore

St. Regis Singapore presents an elegant array of mooncakes in their collection this year. All-time favorites include the White Lotus Paste with Single, Double or Four Yolks as well as the decadent White Lotus Paste with Assorted Nuts and Yunnan Ham. Moving to snowskin flavors, popular mainstays like the Black and White Sesame Paste with Salted Peanut Truffle and the new Royal Milk Tea Paste with Gula Melaka Truffle are sure to delight those who enjoy this sweet treat. For a local flair, St. Regis Singapore also has the Pandan Paste with Macadamia Nuts and the refreshing Yuzu Paste with Lemon Citrus. 

The box: St. Regis Singapore is again housing their mooncakes in highly coveted glass boxes this year. This year, it comes as a two-tier rectangular box as compared to the squarish single tiered box in previous years.

Dates: Now until 21st September 2021

Prices: From S$80 (4pcs baked) / S$81 (8pcs snowskin)

Order here (sold out)

Shisen Hanten

2 Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten at Mandarin Orchard Singapore is offering 5 types of baked mooncakes this year – namely the Mixed Nuts with Jamon Iberico, White Lotus Paste which comes in Single or Double Yolk, Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste (Low Sugar), Azuki Red Bean Paste and Pine Nuts as well as their new flavor this year – the Japanese Pumpkin with Sakura Petals and White Lotus Paste (Low Sugar). The latter is an ode to autumn flavors and a celebration of Japanese culture as pumpkin routinely features in Japanese snacks. Shisen Hanten’s creation comes with the fragrance of sakura petals as well. Among snowskin mooncakes, notable flavors this year include the Red Wine Cranberry with Oolong Snow Skin and the Lychee Martini and Chocolate Snow Skin.

The box: The midnight-blue box contrasts nicely with the illustration of a full moon and an artwork representing Chef Chen Kentaro’s hometown in Japan.

Dates: 4th August to 21st September 2021

Prices:  From S$75 per box (4pcs baked / 8pcs snowskin)

Order here

Casa Restaurant opened in mid-2021, taking over the indoor space of El Mero Mero (which has now become a fully alfresco restaurant) in Chijmes. Helmed by the affable Chef Remy Lefebvre who was most recently at Butcher’s Block and, in a past life, El Mero Mero; the 35-seater restaurant offers a peek at Chef Remy’s extensive travels and culinary values. The name “casa” might immediately suggest a Spanish, Italian or Portuguese restaurant but the venue is neither of these things. While Chef Remy spent some of his formative years in Spain, the name “casa” alludes more to the concept of homeliness and this is evidenced by the cozy spaces – neatly divided into the living room, dining hall and open kitchen. 

For dinner, Casa Restaurant serves 3 types of menus. The lowest is the 4-course Discovery menu for S$118++ per person, followed by the 6-course Experience menu for S$198++ per person as well as the 8-course Carte Blanche for S$258++ per person. I had the 6-course menu but managed to share some dishes with my dining companion so overall, I got to try 8 dishes.

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