With the Mid-Autumn Festival just around the corner, mooncakes are once again taking center stage across Hong Kong. These dense, circular pastries are a beloved tradition this time of year, and there’s no better place to enjoy them than in the heart of the city.
Mooncakes have a rich history in Chinese culture, symbolizing family reunion and the harvest moon. While the classic lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk variety remains a perennial favorite, Hong Kong’s mooncake scene has expanded to include all sorts of innovative and delectable flavors.
Whether you’re a mooncake aficionado or newcomer to this delightful treat, here’s your ultimate guide to the best mooncakes in Hong Kong:
Traditional Baked Mooncakes
For a true taste of tradition, you can’t go wrong with the classic baked mooncakes. The best versions feature a buttery, flaky exterior that gives way to a rich, velvety filling. Some top spots for traditional baked mooncakes include:
- Hang Heung Chinese Cake Shop – This Yuen Long institution has been crafting mooncakes since 1920. Their classic lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk mooncakes are beloved by locals. Visit to try them on our Explore Hong Kong tour in Yuen Long this September, more details at the bottom of the page.
- Taipan Bakery – A Hong Kong institution, Taipan is known for its wide selection of traditional mooncake flavors, from the classic to the more novel, like black sesame.
- Pekoe & Petals – Pekoe&Petals is bringing you our Mid-Autumn Festival Gift Boxes once again (two tea + two mooncakes), curating exceptional artisanal tea with handcrafted, traditional mooncakes from legendary Eight Angels Bakery.
Snow Skin Mooncakes
In more recent years, snow skin mooncakes have become increasingly popular in Hong Kong. These soft, chilled mooncakes have a delicate, mochi-like exterior that contrasts beautifully with the dense, flavorful fillings. Some standout snow skin mooncakes include:
- Mei Xin – This local brand is renowned for its innovative snow skin flavors, from the classic mango to more unique offerings like rose and lychee.
- The Peninsula Hong Kong – The iconic hotel’s snow skin mooncakes, with their elegant, intricate designs, make for a luxurious seasonal indulgence.
- Fortnum & Mason – The British department store’s Hong Kong outpost offers a selection of premium snow skin mooncakes, including a Champagne-infused version.
Unique and Specialty Mooncakes
In recent years, Hong Kong has also seen the rise of mooncakes catering to more niche tastes and dietary preferences. Some to look out for:
Vegan Mooncakes
Conspiracy Chocolate, a local artisanal chocolate maker, also creates vegan mooncakes in unique flavours like dark chocolate and mango. A little bird told us they are also creating a line of vegan mooncakes for The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, with a chocolate version filled with their signature rose jam (in store only).
Vegetarian Mooncakes
The Chi Lin Nunnery, a renowned Buddhist temple, partners with Kee Wai Bakery to produce exquisite vegetarian mooncakes. These mooncakes use no egg or dairy, but are still rich and satisfying.
Bath Bomb Mooncakes
For a truly unique experience, the popular beauty brand Lush creates “bath bomb mooncakes” – mooncake-shaped bath bombs that double as whimsical Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. These sandalwood scented bath bombs “transform the warm bath into an orange-yellow hue, reminiscent of the full moon shining amidst the starry night sky, evoking the joyous moments of people’s reunion.”
They’re also vegan!
Disney-Themed Mooncakes
Kee Wai Bakery also offers a line of adorable Disney character-themed mooncakes, perfect for families and Disney fans. The “Disney Sweet Dreams Mooncake Gift Box” features four mini mooncakes:
- Mini Blueberry Custard Mooncake in the shape of Sulley (with purple yam flavored crust)
- Mini Pineapple Custard Mooncake in the shape of Mike (with matcha flavored crust)
- Mini Strawberry Milk Custard Mooncake in the shape of Lotso (with strawberry flavored crust)
- Mini Mango Custard Mooncake in the shape of Sadness (with sesame flavored crust)
Mid-Autumn Festival Tours
For a more immersive mooncake experience, consider joining one of our Mid-Autumn Festival tours happening on September 8th and September 14th. These guided tours will take you through the vibrant Mid Autumn markets in Yuen Long, explore the history and traditions behind this beloved festival, and of course, let you sample the best mooncakes Hong Kong has to offer. See link below to book.
No matter your mooncake preference, Hong Kong has an abundance of options to satisfy every taste. So get out there and indulge in this beloved Mid-Autumn Festival treat – your taste buds will thank you.
