Hong Kong is host to numerous events and festivals throughout the year, and you’ll find the cream of the crop in the LUXE Hong Kong guide. One of the loveliest is the centuries-old Mid-Autumn festival; with its luminous harvest moon spotlighting glittery lanterns and traditions such as fire dragon dancing and the eating of mooncakes.
Now, whether you love ‘em or loathe ‘em, mooncakes are an integral part of Mid-Autumn, sold by hotels, cafes and bakeries across the city. From the traditional egg yolk filling to more creative, modern iterations, here are five to try.
Ms B’s Cakery
On hip Gough Street, Ms B’s Cakery offers moist, classic white lotus seed and duck egg delights in pretty butterfly-emblazoned boxes and bags. Sevva’s ‘Queen of Confectionary’ Bonnae Gokson’s nostalgic mooncakes are inspired by her childhood, except with sugar swapped for natural, healthier maltose. Nab a box of four standard or nine mini mooncakes.
39 Gough St, Central. +852 2815 8303, msbscakery.hk
Duddell’s
Chic Central club Duddell’s has cream custard-filled pig cage mooncakes which come in striking yellow boxes, dreamed up by local artist Michael Lau to resemble a full moon. Prepared by two Mich-starred chef Siu Hin Chi, they make the perfect limited-edition gift, each with seven pieces.
3/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell St, Central. +852 2525 9191, duddells.co
The Peninsula Boutique
The Peninsula’s chef Yip Wing Wah has gone with a daring but subtle durian filling for his exclusive new handcrafted mini egg custard mooncakes, sold in beautiful jewellery box-style red and gold packaging. Ideal for culinary connoisseurs, they’re bound to be popular, so get in quicksticks.
The Peninsula Arcade, Salisbury Rd, Kowloon. +852 2696 6969, peninsulaboutique.com
Maxim’s Cakes
HK’s leading purveyor of all things nice, Maxim’s Cakes will have junior (and big kid sci-fi fans) jumping for joy with its funky Star Wars-themed treats in a too-cool black Darth Vader or white Stormtrooper tin and matching bag, containing four lava chocolate or egg custard mooncakes respectively.
Shop 266, 2/F, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Rd, Sheung Wan, +852 3565 4336, maxims.com
Fauchon Paris Le Café
Still not a mooncake convert? Then plump for Paris import Fauchon’s choux pastry eclair interpretation, piped with light vanilla cream and apricot coulis, and decorated with Chinese characters bringing luck and happiness. Seasonal gifts sorted!
4/F, New Town Plaza Phase 1, 18 Sha Tin Centre St, Shatin, +852 2237 1515, fauchon.com
A version of this article originally appeared on PenCitiesHong Kong and was updated Sep 2018.
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