Luxury Mooncakes for Mid Autumn Celebrations
Even though there’s still over a month to go until the Mid-Autumn Festival, hotels and restaurants have already started waging the war of the mooncakes - may the best chef win. This year there are a few pretty creative ones in the mix, and we’ve compiled a list of the best of the best.
Limited Edition Isatis Root Mooncake
The Peninsula Shanghai
The Peninsula Shanghai has been in the mooncake industry for 31 years, earning itself the nickname “The Rolls Royce of mooncakes”. Their symbol printed on the mooncakes is recognized across China.
The Peninsula’s most prestigious mooncake is their handmade custard flavor one, and the durian mooncake they released last year was also very well received. This year, isatis root is the new ‘in’ flavor. Isatis root is a common spice found in Southeast Asia, which is where the head chef went for inspiration.
Durian mooncakes are made with fresh, raw durian fruits, while the classic mooncake is made with milk. All three of these mooncakes are 100% handmade, with no added preservatives or seasoning.
But what do you sip on whilst you nibble? The classic mooncake pairs best with Chongming rice wine or sweet osmanthus wine. For the durian mooncake, you should go for their “Moonlight” cocktail, and with the isatis root mooncake, we recommend the “Rabbit” cocktail.
Details:
Custard: RMB 428 per box (of 8)
Durian / Isatis root: RMB 468 per box (of 8)
Where: 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu, Bund Area
Tel: 021-23276742
Madeleine Mooncakes
LE RÊVE
LE RÊVE was founded by international dessert champion Pascal Molines, who has won all the top prizes for the best French desserts.
This year, LE RÊVE aims to emulate Paris with their French Madeleine-style mooncakes. Apparently, they taste just like real Madeleines.
Price: RMB 388 for 12
Where: Plaza 329, 3/F, 1266 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Shanxi Bei Lu, Jing’an district | 1W20, 1/F, 1239 Zuchong Zhi Lu, near Jinke Lu, Pudong district
Tel: 021-52280651丨021-20422931
Handmade Fresh Meat & Mustard Mooncakes
Wanda Reign
These mooncakes are completely different from anything else you’ll have ever tasted: they’re filled with fresh meat and Cantonese milk, which may sound strange, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Every single ingredient is hand-selected and top quality: the pork is fresh, tender and smooth, and the mustard was handpicked from a farm in Ningbo. Once you’ve finished the mooncake, the basket it comes in could be reused for home decor!
Price: RMB 128 for 10
Where: 5/F, 538 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Fuyou Lu, Bund Area
Tel: 021-53688854
*Limited availability - please book at least 2 days in advance.
Pistachio & Cherry and Caramel & Nut Mooncakes
La Boutique de Joël Robuchon
Joel Robuchon is world renowned for creating some of the most exquisite desserts on the planet. This year, he’s created two different flavors of French-style mooncakes: pistachio & cherry, and caramel & nut.
Both of the mooncakes are based on a traditional pound cake recipe, which means as well as nuts and cherries they have rum added to the mix.
In the caramel & nut mooncake, the nuts used are almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts, to name but a few. In addition, each box contains Earl Grey tea leaves, which are the perfect accompaniment.
Price: RMB 368 per box (of 4 mooncakes + Earl Grey tea leaves)
Where: 1/F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi LU, near Nanjing Dong Lu, Bund Area
Tel: 021-60708888
Vegetarian Mooncakes
Dashu Wujie
Following the new trend of vegetarian restaurants popping up all over Shanghai, a vegetarian mooncake has finally been revealed! It’s filled with some of the world’s best seasonal vegetables.
The mooncake gift box was inspired by the famous poet Lu You, so not only do they look good, but they taste good too!
Details:
Moonlight box: RMB 666 (containing a large 666g mooncake)
Moonlight poem: RMB 368 per box (of 8 mooncakes + 1 Yunnan Pu’er tea cake)
Moonlit song: RMB 218 per box (of 6)
Where: Multiple locations
Tel: 400-660-7517
Kumquat Mooncake
The Langham Hotel
What’s truly special about these mooncakes is the gift box they come in! It looks like a stunning jewelry box that anyone would be chuffed to bits to receive.
Langham Hotel’s Chinese cuisine has been awarded Michelin stars! This year, they’re promoting three brand new mooncake flavors: traditional Shanghuang white lotus, classic custard, and also kumquat.
Details:
White lotus: RMB 268 for 4
Classic: RMB 268 for 6
Kumquat: RMB 298 for 6
Where: 99 Madang Lu, near Taicang Lu, Huangpu district
Tel: 021-23302430
Crabmeat and Crayfish Mooncakes
Wang Bao He
Wang Bao He is famous for their crab dishes, so it was only a matter of time until they created a crab mooncake. The pastry is stuffed to the brim with crab meat so prepare yourself for a taste sensation.
Due to the immense success of their crayfish mooncakes from last year, they’re selling those again this year too!
Where: 5/F, 555 Jiujiang Road, near Fujian Lu, People’s Square district
Beef Mooncakes
Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
When these beef mooncakes were released last year, a wave of panic buying was triggered, so of course, they had to come back this year! All the beef is imported from Australia, so it is quality guaranteed. Plus, they’ve got the perfect ratio of meat to pastry. What more could you want?!
Price: RMB 98 for 6
Where: 585 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Fuxing Dong Lu, Bund Area
Tel: 15000458667/13564490005/021-33029999
Fresh Meat and Pine Nuts Mooncakes
Xingguo Hotel
Every year, Shanghai’s Xingguo Hotel releases a limited-edition box of mooncakes. They use a traditional Shanghainese method of producing said cakes, making them hotly anticipated by locals, and for good reason!
Price: RMB 128 for 12
Where: 78 Xingguo Lu, near Huashan Lu, Xuhui district
Tel: 021-62129998-3400/3142
*Reservation required
Fresh Shrimp Mooncakes
Intercontinental Shanghai Ruijin
Head chef Lu Chunfeng was born and raised in Shanghai. She decided to launch these fresh shrimp mooncakes to share a taste of authentic Shanghai with people, and to help the older Shanghainese to revisit their youth.
Price: RMB 6 for 1 / RMB 36 for a box (of 6)
Where: 118 Ruijin Er Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu, Xuhui district
Tel: 021-64725222-5996
*Reservation required
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