From tantalizing Chinese feasts to mouth-watering mooncakes, here are some delicious Mid-Autumn Festival treats you can sink your teeth into this September.
It is that time of year again: the vibrant Mid-Autumn Festival, which usually takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This year’s celebration falls on September 17, 2024, but the affair is really a month-long one that many Chinese communities celebrate in their own way. They also refer to the event as the “Mooncake Festival,” since it is custom to indulge in the sweet delicacy during the festivities, as they are symbols of strong family ties and an abundant harvest.
The stories behind the origin of the festival and this particular practice differ, switching between history and myth. Though one thing remains constant: delicious food. Across all cultures, bonding through meals is a significant part of celebrations, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is no exception. There is plenty to sink your teeth into for this year’s festivities, so if you are searching for sumptuous mooncakes or a Chinese feast, here are a few to check out.
READ ALSO: Oriental Feasts: 4 Hotel Restaurants Offering Delectable Chinese Cuisine
Mid-Autumn Festival Magic With Kee Wah Supreme Mooncake
True to their brand promise “to pour our heart and soul into everything we make,” Kee Wah Bakery upholds its reputation as a purveyor of quality pastries using the finest ingredients. Their mooncakes boast both modern and authentic flavors, reflecting Hong Kong’s rich heritage. Now available in the Philippines for a limited time only, these treats will make the Mid-autumn season all the more sweeter for customers.
The Best Ingredients
High-quality lotus seed paste made from the best selected lotus seeds, premium peanut oil, and top-grade salted egg yolks create a smooth, fragrant, and enjoyable taste when one bites into the White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with Two Yolks and Golden Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake.
Other flavors include Red Bean Paste Mooncake, Assorted Nuts Mooncake, and Red Bean Paste Mooncake with Two Egg Yolks. The mooncakes also come in mini variants, with the brand’s latest offering being the Mini Assorted Nuts Mooncake with Dried Figs. Made with imported Turkish figs, these mooncakes encapsulate a tantalizing balance of sweet and tart flavors that are set to captivate the taste buds.
Novel Custard Flavors
The company takes great pleasure in exploring novel flavors to enrich its expanding assortment of mooncakes, catering to a dynamic range of clientele. Venturing beyond convention and the customary lotus seed paste filling, Kee Wah Bakery introduces a range of Egg Custard Mooncakes, featuring a luscious and sweet egg custard encased within a crispy, golden pastry—a delightful fusion of Eastern and Western gastronomic influences.
This mooncake line is available in Egg Custard Mooncake, Chocolate and Egg Custard Mooncake, and Earl Grey Tea and Egg Custard Mooncake.
The Perfect Sets
The Kee Wah Celestial Series Mooncakes offer a lavish array of both sweet and savory flavors. These delectable treats serve as ideal gifts for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. The series offers the Quadrangle Mooncake Gift Box containing four pieces of Assorted Bestseller mooncakes, the Supreme Assorted Mini Mooncake with eight pieces of assorted mooncakes, and the Supreme Selected Mini Mooncake with eight assorted mooncakes.
Kee Wah Bakery can be found through its official Lazada, Shopee, Pickaroo, Metromart, GrabMart, and TikTok stores. You can also find it at Robinsons Magnolia, S Maison, and The Podium. Visit the Kee Wah Bakery website at www.keewahproductsphilippines.com/, and its Facebook (@hongkongkeewahproductsphilippines) and Instagram (@hongkongkeewahproductsph) for more details.
Decadent Mooncakes At Newport World Resorts
Newport World Resorts has prepared a collection of decadent mooncakes across its international hotel brands.
Hilton
Hilton Manila proudly unveils its Lunar Legacy collection, an exquisite array of handmade mooncakes, masterfully crafted by Chef Kevin Xu Qiao Yuan. With five exquisite variations, The Lunar Legacy collection offers the Traditional Set, Boutique Set, Snow Skin Set, Shanghainese Set, and Do-It-Yourself Set. Each mooncake set comes in ruby red packaging adorned with intricate gold trimmings and patterns, inspired by a traditional Chinese cabinet.
For the ultimate indulgence, Hilton Manila also offers a luxury hamper featuring a box of six of either Traditional, Boutique, or Snow Skin mooncakes paired with a bottle of Dalmore 12 Years whisky, until September 17, 2024.
Avail Hilton Manila’s Lunar Legacy collection via (+632) 7239 7788 or www.hiltonmanila.com.
Marriott Manila
Marriott Manila presents its thoughtfully-assembled mooncake collection in beautiful gift boxes, the sweet and savory delights reflecting the grace and elegance of this meaningful time of year. Indulge in classic and unique flavors of mooncakes such as Red Lotus Paste with Yolk, White Lotus Paste with Yolk, and Wine Cranberry.
Customers can also complement this delectable mooncake experience with pralines available in Chocolate Galaxy and Marble Chocolate flavors, as well as add-ons like Candied Walnuts and Tie Guan Yin Tea.
Available until September 17, 2024, the mooncake package supports a worthy cause, as part of the proceeds will go to the chosen beneficiary of Marriott Worldwide Business Councils-Philippines. Discounts apply for early bird and bulk orders. For inquiries or reservations, call +63 917 624 5980 or +63 917 584 9553.
For more information on Newport World Resorts’ Mid-Autumn Festival offers, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Festival Specialties At Crystal Dragon In City of Dreams
Crystal Dragon at City of Dreams Manila presents Mid-Autumn Festival specialties until September 17, 2024 to celebrate a tradition steeped in symbolisms of unity, gratitude, and the harvest’s bounty.
The restaurant, which specializes in Cantonese cuisine and regional Chinese specialties, offers the season’s flavors in the Mid-Autumn special ala carte menu available for lunch and dinner.
The menu consists of: Steamed Hokkaido Scallop and Vermicelli in ginger scallion sauce; Double-boiled Pork Rib Soup with abalone, lotus seed and lion’s mane mushroom; Jasmine Tea-smoked Crispy Roasted Duck; Tiger Prawn tossed in spiced pumpkin curry sauce; and Wok-fried Fragrant Taro Rice with slow-braised 13-spice pork belly. Crystal Dragon is also highlighting its signature Snow Skin Mooncake served in a trio of flavors that combine tradition and creative renditions: lotus paste with salted yolk, purple ube with salted yolk, and red bean.
Crystal Dragon is open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. For inquiries and reservations, call 8800-8080 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information, visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.
Handcrafted Mooncake Goodness At Grand Hyatt Manila
Handcrafted by the Chinese chefs of No. 8 China House, this year’s artisanal mooncakes from Grand Hyatt include a combination of classic and contemporary flavors. The line-up includes beloved staples like White Lotus with Salted Egg Yolk (Low Sugar), White Lotus (Low Sugar), and Red Bean and Black Sesame; as well as modern twists like Green Tea, Mixed Nuts with Maotai, and the savory Chili Conpoy.
Surprise loved ones with special packages fit for the season, including a box of four mooncakes with a bottle of wine; a Mooncake Hamper with Bottle of Wine and F&B Dining Voucher; and a Mooncake Hamper with the Macallan 12 Years Double Cask.
The Mid-Autumn Festival collection is available at Florentine, located in the hotel lobby. Guests have the option to pre-order a box of four Mooncakes and a box of four mooncakes with wine in bulk to receive up to 25% discount. Orders of 10 boxes and above require a 48-hour lead time.
Receive complimentary delivery to a single location for orders of 50 boxes and above.
Pre-orders are open until September 15, 2024. Visit http://bit.ly/GHMMooncake2024 for terms and conditions. For inquiries and orders, call +63 2 8838 1234, email [email protected], or pre-order online through bit.ly/DineAtHomeGHM.
Vibrant Assemblage Of Flavors At Edsa Shangri-La
This season, Summer Palace of Edsa Shangri-La, Manila presents a selection of homemade and handcrafted mooncakes rooted in Cantonese culinary tradition.
Available in single offerings or in sets placed in a collection of artfully-adorned gift boxes, this season’s six varieties range from authentic to local flavors: White Lotus, Red Bean, Mixed Nuts, Mixed Nuts with Hennessy, Black Sesame, and Snow Skin Purple Yam.
Edsa Shangri-La, Manila’s The Ties That Bind 2024 Mooncake Collection is available at Summer Palace, the Mid-Autumn Festival booth at the Lobby, until September 20, 2024. For more information and arrangements, please call (02) 8633-8888 loc. 2927 / 2928 or email [email protected].
A Mooncake Medley at New World Makati
New World Makati Hotel invites everyone to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with their exquisitely-crafted mooncakes, ideal for sharing with loved ones or as thoughtful gifts. This year, the mooncakes are elegantly presented in boxes inspired by traditional Chinese wooden window grilles, symbolizing reunion, connection, and the festival’s rich heritage.
The hotel’s handmade mooncake collection features six delightful flavors, including three new variants: Dark Chocolate, Matcha, and Durian. Classic flavors include Red Bean, Red Lotus, White Lotus. Miniature versions are also available for guests to try. Each bite offers a journey through tradition and taste, making this year’s celebration even more special.
A 20% discount is offered for purchases of 100 boxes or more, or a 10% discount for Club Epicure members and orders of 50 boxes.To place an order, call +63288116888 ext. 3679 or +639178884194, e-mail [email protected], or send a message on Facebook and Instagram.
Cantonese Delights At Lung Hin In Marco Polo
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is excited to present an enchanting Mid-Autumn Festival celebration at Lung Hin, the hotel’s renowned Cantonese restaurant. From September 1 to 17, 2024, Lung Hin offers a spectacular set menu for groups of five and ten designed to honor the much-anticipated holiday with an exquisite culinary experience that embodies both luxury and authenticity.
A Hearty Feast
Guests can look forward to a dazzling array of dishes, starting with the iconic Signature Peking Duck, renowned for its crispy skin and tender meat, served with all the traditional accompaniments. The wonder continues with a luxurious Chicken Consommé featuring Morel Mushrooms, Fish Maw, and Bamboo Pith, a dish that delivers rich essences and refined textures. Other highlights of the set menu include the Baked Abalone Puff, which combines savory fillings with flaky pastry, and the succulent Roasted Goose with Mushrooms, a hearty main course bursting with umami.
The menu also features Wok-Fried Sea Conch with Shrimp and XO Sauce, a delightful mix of seafood with a spicy kick, and Sautéed US Beef Cubes with Foie Gras, offering a decadent fusion of tender beef and opulent foie gras. For seafood enthusiasts, the Steamed Grouper Fillet with Parma Ham and Shiitake Mushrooms is a true gem, while the Steamed Crab with Glutinous Rice, Pork, Dried Squid, and Shrimp brings a festive touch with its distinct taste. To conclude the meal, guests can enjoy a refreshing Seasonal Fresh Fruit Platter, providing a light and fruity finish to this remarkable dining experience.
Capping Off The Feast with Mooncakes
In addition to the savory delights, Lung Hin is also offering an exquisite collection of traditional mooncakes, an indispensable custom for auspicious beginnings and harmony. These artisanal treats are available in beautifully designed gift boxes, perfect for sharing or gifting your loved ones. The selection includes Box of One Piece, Box of Four Pieces, Box of Six Pieces, Limited Edition Box of Four Pieces, Limited Edition Box of Six Pieces. Flavors include classic favorites such as White Lotus with Egg Yolk, Red Lotus with Egg Yolk, Red Bean with Egg Yolk, and Mixed Nuts, each crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
Celebrate Mid-Autumn with a touch of elegance and tradition at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. To make restaurant and room reservations or purchase mooncakes, please contact +63 7720 7777. Follow Marco Polo Ortigas Manila on Facebook and Instagram for the latest hotel updates and promotions.
Photos courtesy of Kee Wah Bakery, Newport World Resorts, City of Dreams, Grand Hyatt Manila, Edsa Shangri-La, New World Makati, and Marco Polo.
