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.

Tea WG

Tea WG presents a unique riff on the standard Mid-Autumn mooncakes, presenting their tea-infused renditions in a majestic burgundy music box. Two of their tea-infused mooncakes are sold alongside the exclusive moon dance tea for the ultimate tea pairing. The Illumination baked mooncake is infused with Breakfast Yuzu Tea, while dried mango pieces and raspberry purée almond paste brighten up the traditional white lotus paste. This showstopper mooncake is paired with the Constellation mooncake, where brown lotus filling is infused with Singapore Breakfast Tea, accompanying a scattering of roasted melon seeds and an embedded salted egg yolk centre.

HKD 488 available at Tea WG boutiques across Hong Kong

Dalloyau

Dalloyau presents artisanal egg custard mooncakes where a crunchy golden crust gives way to a velvety egg custard filling. The glorious gift box depicts the glow of a Paris moon while referencing the shapely topiaries from the Gardens of Versailles. Capturing the Parisian heritage of the brand with the delicate pink roses and lavish greenery, Dolloyau perfectly merges East with West with its European-inspired packaging and refined pastry craft.

HKD 368 per box available at dalloyau.hk 

The Upper House

The Upper House has just unveiled their Hong Kong branch exclusive artisanal mooncake gift set. Eight tantalising mini mooncakes are housed in a stylish, sustainable wooden box, tucked behind recycled paper containers. Behind these, you’ll embark on a culinary journey with the four mooncake flavours, generously packed with fillings from a medley of assorted nuts and Turkish fig, to old time favourite egg custard, offering a contrasting creamy texture. The festivities don’t end with the fading of the full moon- the sleek, minimalist box is brushed with a deep purple streak and an opaque lunar motif, and can be upcycled to store accessories, toys and more.

HKD 488 at thehousecollective.com

Rùn

A homage to ancient Chinese architecture and classic recipes, St. Regis’ new mooncake collections are emblematic of tradition. Hung Chi-Kwong, Executive Chinese Chef at the hotel’s Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Rùn, offers three mooncake flavours: on top of the classic white lotus and double egg yolk, his concoctions of aromatic red bean paste and 15-year aged tangerine peel, and the Mini Assorted Caramel Nuts Mooncake is sure to delight. Another highlight is the bespoke packaging designed with Rùn’s tea pavilion setting in mind- it’s enveloped in autumnal shades and appears as a mini table to reveal the mooncakes.

From HKD 428 at marriott.com

Ali Oli x OH! You Made My Day

European homemade and handmade bakery-cafe Ali Oli’s latest venture is a collaboration with Hong Kong artist OH! You Made My Day, the product Mid-Autumn delights for both pet owners and their furry friends. The Limited Edition People & Pet Mooncake Gift Box includes six mooncakes: three for humans, including espresso walnut and classic flavours, and three chicken-based ones for pets. The box front showcases adorable watercolour paintings of cats and dogs, making them a precious collector’s item. Also on offer are the Harmony Mooncake and Full Moon Mooncake gift boxes, with understated, chic designs of the desserts and Mid-Autumn lanterns. Don’t miss the exciting pineapple mooncake exclusive to the Harmony set!

From HKD 218 at alioli.com.hk

Dang Wen Li

New York is where it all started for award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel and his Soho flagship store, and the Hong Kong branch’s Mid-Autumn creation brings the Big Apple to us. The Fly Me to New York Mooncake Gift Set showcases the city’s splendour, from the skyline to Soho lofts and the iconic yellow cab. All this stands out against a backdrop of ardent autumn leaves, and is housed inside a stunning 3D dome. The six handmade artisan mooncakes come in Earl Grey Custard and Classic Custard, packing the golden shells with fragrant flavours. With its dazzling, innovative design, this gift box is definitely one for the travellers.

HKD 498 at dangwenli.com

Kiki Noodle Bar

Renowned for its trendsetting takes on Taiwanese, Sichuan and modern fusion cuisine, Kiki Noodle Bar returns this Mid-Autumn with their Taro Mochi Mooncakes with Sakura Shrimp. The locally handmade, contemporary delights have previously enjoyed sell-out success, and only 1500 limited edition sets are up for grabs this year! Each gift bag holds six mooncakes with a gummy glutinous rice ‘mochi’ core enveloped in smooth taro. Kiki’s signature Peach Oolong Taiwanese high-mountain teabags, complete with succulent fruity flavours are also included. All this is found in an Instagram-worthy reusable bag, in the shape of a winking Mid-Autumn bunny!

From HKD 298 at kikifg.com.hk

Sexy Crab

Gourmet game-changers Sexy Crab and Baekmidang will whisk you away on a culinary voyage with their extravagant ‘Drunken’ Seafood and Mooncakes gift boxes. The Shanghainese fusion crab connoisseurs offer a made-to-order series of four ‘Drunken Seafood’ delicacies, from their golden ratio of male and female Classic Crab Roe to luxurious Hokkaido Ezo Abalone, all marinated in 10-15 year aged Huadiao wine. Meanwhile, dairy expert and dessert atelier Baekmidang’s organic mooncakes come in Lava Custard or Coffee, and Tieguanyin Tea. A bottle of premium champagne or prosecco comes with the gift sets to add extra booze to the celebrations.

Gift set from HKD 1982 at Sexy Crab in K11 MUSEA

Fortnum and Mason

Fortnum & Mason’s centuries of gastronomic expertise compliment perennial Mid-Autumn traditions with their all-new tea-infused mooncakes. The Earl Grey, Rose Pouchong and Matcha treats feature in four unique gift sets- the triple-layered Fortnum’s gift box pairs six cakes with miniature tins of tea, blending rich and refreshing flavours from crisp Ceylon to malty Assam. The Classic Gift Box is packaged in a Fortnum’s wicker with Earl Grey shortbread and truffle; the Rose Gift Box features floral teas. With a double helping of the mooncake selection pack alongside Pistachio and Clotted Cream biscuits and a celebratory bottle of Sparkling Tea, the Mid-Autumn Festival Hamper is one for the family- bespoke ones are on offer as well.

HKD 588 available at Fortnum and Mason’s flagship store in K11 MUSEA

Man Ho

JW Marriott’s Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Man Ho returns with their signature mooncake collection. Masterminded by Executive Chinese Chef Jayson Tang, the selection is resplendent in traditional flavours: the timeless white lotus seed paste mooncake is revisited to pack a punch with double egg yolks and fiery hints of ginger. It’s also available as a whopping 8” Royal Supreme, containing eight yolks! On top of that, the Mini Egg Custard Mooncakes’ luxurious, creamy texture that has propelled it to fan favourite status makes an exciting comeback. All this is packed within an artisanal gift box patterned with lotus flowers and tulips, a nod to tradition.

From HKD 438 at marriott.com

Jouer