In the canon of traditional Chinese desserts, the mooncake is the most decadent and storied of them all. Golden-baked, round in shape, and filled with sweet lotus seed paste encasing two salted duck egg yolks representing the moon. For centuries, these rich delicacies have been served during Mid-Autumn Festival — on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month when a full moon emerges at night — as a ritual offering to the mythical moon goddess of immortality, Chang E. They were a favourite of Empress Dowager Cixi and, as folklore goes, an essential tool of the Ming revolutionaries, who used them to smuggle secret messages while overthrowing the Mongolian rulers of China at the end of the Yuan dynasty.

Today, mooncakes remain an essential part of Chinese culture, lavishly packaged and shared with family and friends as a symbol of completeness and reunion. While time-honoured recipes hold strong to tradition, modern adaptations have flourished with everything from indulgent caviar-packed treats to mooncake-flavoured macarons. Ahead, we round up the best mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong.

Cova

One of Italy’s oldest pasticcerias, Cova is known for its silky Piedmont chocolates and moist, fluffy cakes. This year, Cova presents their take on the Mid-Autumn staple with a unique Lava Chocolate Mooncake crafted from the brand’s decadent chocolate and featuring a luscious, oozing centre. Craving something a little more traditional? The Milan Autumn Mooncake Gift Box also offers up a classic White Lotus Seed Paste with Egg Yolk and Egg Custard flavour alongside a Cranberry and Nuts Mooncake to appeal to all palates. Top everything off with the brand’s Gianduiotti chocolates which feature silky hazelnut cream from Piedmont for the ultimate rich and creamy indulgence. 

HK$998 for the Milan Autumn Mooncake box at pasticceriacova.com

Paul Lafayet

Renowned French patisserie Paul Lafayet has collaborated once more with illustrator Emilie Sarnel for a box of delightful and creative mooncakes. With a “jade rabbits space journey” theme, cheeky rabbits twirl across the blue, turquoise and gold packaging, which houses four new mooncake flavours. Be sure to try the French Crème Brûlée flavour, which nods to the patisserie’s signature smooth and creamy crème brûlée, while the Earl Grey Tea, Green Tea and Manuka Honey flavours offer smooth and fragrant alternatives. 

HK$398 for a box of four at paullafayet.com

The Cakery

Looking for health-conscious mooncakes? Look no further. The Cakery dishes up its signature gluten-free, vegan mooncakes this Mid-Autumn festival, with Black Sesame Lava, Yuzu Blueberry, Mango Lava and Yame Hojicha Chocolate flavours taking centre stage. Each mooncake is crafted from the finest ingredients – Yame hojicha powder is sourced from Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture while Madagascar vanilla and Valrhona chocolate add just the right amount of sweetness. The refreshing Yuzu Blueberry features Okinawan Shikiwasu juice for the perfect balance of sweet, fruity and sour. 

HK$568 for a box of four at thecakery.com

Charbonnel et Walker

Premium chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker dishes up the best of both worlds with their Mid-Autumn Chocolate & Mooncake Collection! Presented in a unique blue box that symbolises a traditional Chinese window, indulgent chocolate truffles are accompanied by four traditional mooncakes in either Lava Egg Custard or Earl Grey Tea custard flavours. For the chocolate truffles, select between two best-selling flavours by the brand – choose either the Dark Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Truffles or Milk Sea Salt Caramel Praline Chocolate Truffles to complete the gift box.

HK$528 per box at charbonnel.com.hk

Date by Tate

Date by Tate is two Michelin-starred Tate Dining Room’s pastry boutique that delivers delectable East-meets-West treats. The Mid-Autumn Pastry Box is filled to the brim with unique treats, including a Dark Chocolate Mooncake with Marie Biscuits alongside iced cookies and jams. Leaving no stone unturned, Date by Tate covers all bases by packaging their pastries in a decorative wooden box and scarf. 

HK$1,130 per box at datebytate.com

Rosewood

This year, Rosewood Hong Kong presents two exclusive collections of mooncakes available in their Gift Boxes and Hampers! Created in tandem with Rosewood PlaceMaker Chef May Chow, “A Sense Of Place” is a collection of tea-flavoured mooncakes that re-envision the traditional treat. Hong Kong creative studio RCS and Rosewood have also reimagined the Mid-Autumn tale in the “Picnic on the Moon” collection, featuring artistic designs from lunar bunnies to moonlit lotus ponds. The collection transforms mooncakes into a microcosm of Hong Kong’s food scene; a white lotus seed filling and Oolong and Lemon tea is accompanied by a local soy sauce, putting a spin on the timeless classic.

HK$488 per box at rosewoodhkshop.com

House of Orient

House of Orient presents a one of a kind mooncake this Autumn as part of their Premium Mooncake & Tea Gift Box. Their chefs’ handmade Cantonese red bean paste is combined with dried tangerine peel, one of the three Guangdong treasures, drawing out complex flavours with every bite. The House’s three premium teas are also paired with their mooncakes, working in tandem for a truly special Mid-Autumn experience. There is no doubt this Gift Box will be a highlight of your festivities- what’s not to like about celebrating the best of Chinese tradition?

HK$368-488 per box at houseoforient.net

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