[Mid-Autumn] Mooncake Festival 2013

[Crystal Jade] Mystical Treasure Set

Time flies, in another month's time most of us will be celebrating the Mid-Autumn festival where friends and family gather to enjoy assortment of mooncakes and food. And during this period of time getting mooncakes for friends and business associates has also become a tradition routines. Below are some Traditional and Contemporary mooncake variety which you might be keen to take a look while placing your orders.

[Crystal Jade] Magnificent Five

[Photo: Crystal Jade] With gifting in mind, this year Crystal Jade has introduce their Mystical Treasure Set (SG$89.00 per box of 4 pieces) which comprises four premium flavours of Gold Leaf Mooncakes encased in a newly-designed, limited-edition treasure chest (shown on the first photo above). Each set includes Crystal Jade’s premium offerings such as: Gold Leaf White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Red Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Plain White Lotus Paste, and Gold Leaf Mixed Nuts and Ham.

On top of that The Magnificent Five (SG$69.00 per box of 5 pieces) also makes another great gift that is packaged in a luxuriously quilted gold box. This set includes: Super Five Yolks with White Lotus Paste, Plain White Lotus Paste, White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Red Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, and Mixed Nuts and Ham.

[Crystal Jade] Snow Lotus Konnyaku Mooncake

[Photo: Crystal Jade] For a twist and something with lighter taste, you might want to consider the new Snow Lotus Konnyaku Mooncake (SG$20.00 per box of 4 pieces) which is under Crystal Jade Floral Tea Konnyaku Mooncakes range.

Crystal Jade Mooncake
Hotline: (65) 6512 0800
Online Brochure: Mid-Autumn Festival 2013

Mondays to Fridays: 
9am – 6pm

[Thye Moh Chan] Mid-Autumn Pastries

For something different than the usual baked mooncakes, you might consider getting one of these handmade Teochew pastries that comes with a selection of silky-smooth fillings wrapped with a layer of flaky pastry skin  from Thye Moh Chan. Below are the range (detail here) that you can choose from:-

Sweet or Salty Tau Sar (single yolk)
Pick your choice between sweet or savoury mung bean filling which has been prepared from scratch. Each piece of mooncake is wrapped with a single salted egg yolk with the sweet rendition topped with white sesame. Whereas for the savoury one, it is blend with salty mung bean paste, fried shallots, white sesame and seasoned with white pepper.
Medium (4 pieces per box) @ SG$24.80, Large (1 piece per box) @ SG$22.80

Yuan Yang
Make with generous filling of savoury mung bean paste, fried shallots, white sesame, spicy pork floss and salted egg yolks, this novel creation is also accented with a proprietary spice mix.
Medium (4 pieces per box) @ SG$24.80; Large (1 piece per box) @ SG$22.80

Double Delight
Wrapped with double delights of red bean paste and a unique ‘crystal’ filling made with winter melon, melon seeds, dried orange peel, white sesame, spring onions, and glutinous rice flour.
Medium (4 pieces per box) @ SG$24.80

Durian
For durian lovers, this is a contrast between smooth D24 durian-infused bean paste and crispy pastry.
Medium (4 pieces per box) @ SG$35.20

Traditional Teochew Mooncake
An old-time  favourite with combination of maltose, white sesame, dried kumquat and five-spice powder, rendering a unique and unforgettable taste.
Large (1 piece per box) @ SG$18.00

Promotions:
From 13 July to 31 August, enjoy 25% discount for purchase of 10 or more mooncake vouchers. Mooncake collection date: 5 August – 15 September

Corporate Sales Discount:
- 25% for 10 boxes and above
- 30% for 50 boxes and above

OCBC Cardmembers Privileges:
From 13 July to 31 August, OCBC Cardmembers enjoy 20% discount for purchase of 2 boxes or more.

THYE MOH CHAN
Chinatown Point
133 New Bridge Road, #01-45
Singapore 059413
Telephone: (65) 6604 8858

Operating hours:
10am – 10pm daily

[BreadTalk] Hello Kitty Mini Mooncakes

[Photo: BreadTalk] This year BreadTalk will be lunching their "limited edition" Hello Kitty Mini Mooncakes @ SG$25.00 per box of 4 pieces from 07 - 19 September 2013. These mooncakes comes in 4 different flavour such as:- Azuki Milk and Nuts, Green Tea Apricot, Chocolate Walnut and Glutinous Rice Yam specially packed in the Hello Kitty designed carrier so fans remember to grab them while stock last.

[Mandarin Oriental] Green Tea Paste and Japanese Kyoho Grapes

[Photo: Mandarin Oriental] This year apart from the traditional baked mooncakes, Cherry Garden also introduces the Homemade Mooncake with Green Tea Paste and Japanese Kyoho Grapes. This pairing between the sweet green tea and refreshing plum wine-infused grapes is pricing at S$62.00 per box of 4 pieces.

[Mandarin Oriental] Snow Skin Mooncake with Ginseng Egg Custard

[Photo: Mandarin Oriental] As for the premium snow skin selection, Cherry Garden also introduces Imperial Treasure Mooncake with Mangosteen Rind and Durian Paste as well as the Snow Skin Mooncake with Ginseng Egg Custard which is a luscious yellow delight that captures the velvety smooth essence of egg custard, along with crunchy bits of pine nuts, tinged with the aromatic herbal notes of the ginseng pricing at SG$62.00 per box of 8 pieces

CHERRY GARDEN
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
5 Raffles Avenue
Marina Square
Singapore 039797
Telephone: (65) 6885 3541
Enquiry: mosin-mooncakes@mohg.com

[Photo: Din Tai Fung]

[Din Tai Fung] Baked Mini Mooncakes Treasure Set

Fans of Din Tai Fung, for this coming Mid-Autumn Festival you will be able to try their very first Baked Mini Mooncakes which comes in two new flavours such as White Lotus Seeds Paste with pineapple fillings or pine seeds and orange peels. Personally I prefer the one with orange peels which balance the sweet, savory and tangy taste of this festive treat.

[Din Tai Fung] White Lotus Seed Paste with Taiwan Songshan Pineapple Filling (left) vs White Lotus Seeds Paste with Pine seeds, Orange Peels and Quarter Yolk (right)

Each box of their Baked Mini Mooncakes Treasure Gift Set consists of four mini mooncakes (two of each flavour) pricing at SG$23.80 nett and it will be available from 01 August - 19 September 2013 at all Din Tai Fung Outlets islandwide.

[Updated on 31st August 2013]

[Eater Palace (食珍)] Flaky Teochew Yam Mooncake

Eater Place (食珍) is one of the pioneer brand that offers Flaky Teochew Yam Mooncake or also known as Or Nee Mooncake.  This has always being my favourite mooncake because it's quite different from the usual baked mooncake that is make with lotus seeds paste. I love it's layers of flaky skin which enclosed the smooth and fragrance yam paste and pumpkin which makes it just like having my favourite Or Nee (yam paste).

[Eater Palace (食珍)] Yam and Pumpkin Flaky Teochew Mooncake

The mooncake comes in a box of either two or four pieces with flavour such as:-
- Yam
- Yam And Pumpkin
- Yam Salted Egg Yolk
- Vegetarian Yam

You can sample these flaky mooncake at Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festival (basement event hall) and grab a box or two back as gift too.

[St Regis - Yan Ting] Royal Milk Tea Snowskin Mooncake with Red Bean Paste and White Chocolate Champagne Truffle @ SG$68.80 per box of 8

[St Regis - Yan Ting] Assort Snowskin Mooncake

This year Yan Ting has introduce five new snowskin creations  using quality ingredients with flavours such as "Mao Shan Wang" durian (SG$108.00 with box of 8 snowskin mooncakes), mixed berries, green tea, purple sweet potato and royal milk tea with chocolate champagne.

And if you can't decide on what flavour to choose, you can also grab a  box of a Assorted Snowskin Mooncake (excluding durian snownkin mooncake) shown above at SG$67.80 with 8 mini mooncakes in it.

[St Regis - Yan Ting] Four Traditional Baked Mooncakes Premium Gift Set

Yan Ting also offers exclusive premium gift box set together with your selection of 8 snowskin (SG$138.00) or 4 traditional baked mooncakes (SG$158.00). The gift set comes with a charming oriental teapot with two tea cups and a canister of Dongding Oolong Tea.

Yan Ting mooncake will be available at Yan Ting Restaurant located at level 1U or the Mooncake counter next to The Drawing Room located at the lobby from 19th August to 19 September 2013.

Yan Ting - Fine Cantonese Cuisine
The St. Regis Singapore
Level 1U
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Telephone: (65) 6506 6887

[Hong Kong Mei Xin Mooncake] Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with 2 Egg Yolks

Mei-Xin Mooncake (美心月饼) is the Hong Kong's leading brand of mooncakes and this year I an si glad to receive a box of the Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake with 2 Egg Yolks (retail price: SG$51.00 for a box of 4 mooncakes) from our Hong Kong relative who visit Singapore two weeks ago. Indeed their lotus seed  paste is smooth with a delicate fragrance and it pairs well with the salted egg yolks in it.

If you are keen to sample of their baked and snowskin mooncakes, do visit their booth at Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festival (basement event hall) from Now to 19 September 2013, 10.00am – 9.00pm.

{Quick Guide} Mooncakes For Mid Autumn Festival 2012

Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the few most important holidays in the Chinese calendar that many still celebrate today. Every years during or before the festival, you would be able to see different types of mooncake available ranging from either traditional baked mooncakes or modern fusion of yoghurt or ice cream mooncakes.

Above shows the Baked Mooncake with Mixed Nuts and Jamón Ibérico (伊比利亚火腿五仁果子月饼) from Mandarin Court which is baked to golden brown perfection with chockfull of crunchy goodness.  I love its rich nutty flavour which makes Spanish delicacy pairs perfectly with the assorted nuts in this traditional delight. Each box is S$62.00 / 4 pieces.

MANDARIN COURT

Other popular flavours include the Baked Mooncake with Double Yolk and White Lotus Paste (双黄白莲蓉月饼) and Baked Mooncake with Single Yolk and White Lotus Paste (单黄白莲蓉月饼).

Photo Credit:- Mandarin Court

If you can't decide on which flavours to get, perhaps the Assorted Mini Snow Skin Selection (四喜映月), containing two of each snow skin mooncake flavour such as:-

~ Mini Snow Skin Raspberry Mooncake (NEW)
~ Mini Snow Skin Cheese with Citrus Mooncake (NEW)
~ Mini Snow Skin Green Tea and Melon Seeds Mooncake
~ Mini Snow Skin Lychee Martini Mooncake

would be great to satisfy your sweet craving. Each box is at S$58.00 / 8 pieces.

For orders or enquiries, please call 6831 6320 or 6831 6262 or email mandarincourt.orchard@meritushotels.com.

PARADISE GROUP

Photo Credit:- Paradise Group

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Paradise Group features a fine selection of exquisite new snowskin mooncakes creations and traditional baked treasures specially created by Executive Pastry Chef Fung Wing Sang. These mooncakes are available from 19 August to 30 September 2012 at selected Paradise Group outlets from 19 August to 16 September 2012.

For your information, ANZ and Citibank credit cardholders, as well as Paradise Gourmet Rewards members will enjoy 20% early bird discount (19 August - 16 September 2012) on the mooncakes. Ordering details and price lists HERE.

PRIMA DELI

Photo Credit:- PrimaDeli

With PrimaDéli celebrates it's 20th anniversary this year they have introduce new family favourite mooncakes (full list HERE) for family to enjoy the delightful trio of mini Toffee Cappuccino, Chocolate Hazelnut and Raspberry Truffle snowskin mooncakes at most of their outlets island.

As a special debut, PrimaDéli has a limited edition Mao Shan Wang snowskin mooncake (S$16.95 each or S$67.80 per box) which comes with a satisfying filling of Mao Shan Wang and lotus paste for durian lovers. Furthermore there is also a 15% OFF with minimum purchase of 1 box of 4 pieces (regular size) or 9 pieces (mini size).

To order you could visit their outlets or website @  http://www.primadeli.com
 

SWENSEN'S ICE CREAM MOONCAKE

Photo credited to Swensen's

Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with cool Swensen’s ice cream mooncakes that comes in six authentic flavors.  This year, let these sweet affair at both Swensen's and Earle Swensen's filled you with mouth-watering Swensen’s signature smooth and full dairy ice creams which encased in a unique pastry skin. Read more over at this post HERE.

CRYSTAL JADE MOONCAKE

This year Mid-Autumn Festival, Crystal Jade offers a limited edition Premium Gold Treasure Box (S$88.00 / 4 pieces) which features four individual boxes with lids of silk, each adored with with words "Fei Cui (翡翠)" which means Crystal Jade in Chinese. Read more at this post HERE.

Crystal Jade Celebrate 2012 Mid-Autumn Festival with Limited Edition Treasure Box

This year Mid-Autumn Festival, Crystal Jade offers a limited edition Premium Gold Treasure Box (S$88.00 / 4 pieces) which features four individual boxes with lids of silk, each adored with with words "Fei Cui (翡翠)" which means Crystal Jade in Chinese.

The set comprises of:- Gold Leaf White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Red Lotus Paste with Double Yolk, Gold Leaf Plain White Lotus Paste, and Gold Leaf Mixed Nuts and Ham.

Mixed Nuts and Ham is always one of the flavour that I always look forward to. And this one from Crystal Jade has a stronger ham taste compared to the other few that I have tried which is more on the orange peel scented.

For a modern and healthier choice, perhaps you could consider this Kindred Bliss (S$22.00 / 4 pieces) with a selection of four yoghurt and pudding flavoured mooncakes such as Mango (yellow), Mixed Berries (purple), Apple (green) and Original (white).

Original Yoghurt Pudding Mooncake with Nata De Coco.

Photo Credit:- Crystal Jade

For your information, Crystal Jade's selection of 23 mooncake varieties will be available from 27 August till 30 September 2012 at most Crystal Jade Outlets. There is also a 15% OFF exclusively for DBS/POSB Credit And Debit Cardmembers.

Orders or enquiry can be made via Crystal Jade Mooncake Hotline at 6512 0808, Monday - Friday (9am - 6pm).

Crystal Jade Jiang Nan @ Vivo City

Recently Crystal Jade Jiang Nan (翡翠江南) has returned as a casual eatery in VivoCity (facing Tung Lok Signatures - 同乐经典) at Level 1, #01-52 featuring simple Shanghai, Sichuan, Wu Xi and Guangdong dishes such as homemade noodles, xiao long bao and etc.

And since Aunt's Birthday is approaching in mid-June, I suggest to have an early celebration for her over at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan as well to try out their new menu.

APPETIZERS

餐前小吃

For appetizers Mum and Aunty both suggested to order this "Deep-fried White Bait "Wu Xi" Style (无锡小鱼儿)" where the crispy white baits are tossed with fried garlic, salt and pepper together with a layer of caramelized sugar coating. Indeed this is a wonderful snack to start off while waiting for the main dish to be served.
Price: S$9.80/plate(small)

For something adventure, I decided to try their "Marinated Pig’s Ear with Cucumber (湘江红油顺风)" which is a common appetizer in Zhejiang. These slices of crunchy pig’s ears are spiced with chilli oil, together with fresh cucumbers and sesame oil which helps to further enhance its flavour and texture.
Price: S$8.50/plate (small)

Just a note this "Steamed Beancurd with Egg Yolk, French Bean, Carrot, Black Fungus Served in a Cup (五彩拌豆腐)" is kind of a cold appetizer which is tasteless on it's own. So in order to flavour this dish, you have to adjust the taste using the provided condiments such as chilli oil, shallot oil, extra virgin olive oil and black vinegar.

As you can see from the above, it is such a vibrant appetizer with tofu, egg yolk, carrots and etc added to achieve the colour, fibre and nutrition. Although I have tried to add a bit here and there of the provided condiments but we still find this appetizer not very suitable for my liking but mum said it taste great together with the Deep-fried White Bait.
Price: S$8.00/cup

MAIN DISH

主菜

All along, the traditional Xiao Long Bao from Crystal Jade taste quiet decent with it's juicy filling of minced pork and soft dumpling skin so without hesitate I decided to order their new "Crystal Jade Multi-flavoured Xiao Long Bao (翡翠水晶八式小笼包)" for Aunt's Birthday to create some atmosphere.

Each tray comes with Crystal Jade’s Original Xiao Long Bao, Prawn Xiao Long Bao, Vegetable And Dried Beancurd Xiao Long Bao, Spicy Beef and Spicy Chicken Xiao Long Bao for an authentic Sichuan experience or western flavour such as Foie Gras, Cheese and Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao. To start with try those with a lighter taste(original) before moving on to the stronger flavour such as spicy beef and remember to eat them immediately or else the outer skin will be harden.
Price: S$14.50/serving tray

Another "must try" dish is their "La Mian with Spicy Chicken, Preserved Egg And Cucumber in “Sichuan” Style (重庆口水鸡拉面)" where the springy handmade noodle is served together with cold spicy chicken which makes it a refreshing dish for a change.

Although the "ma la" spicy sauce was a bit too strong(spicy) rather than numbing(ma la) to our taste but overall it still blends well with the cold noodles and tender chicken that leaves us crave for more helpings.
Price: S$11.80/plate(small)

Since their "Not Fried Rice (不是炒饭)" is sold out by the time we arrived (around 1.00pm), we have to sort for another alternative. So from the service staff recommendation, we ordered the "Fried Five Grain Rice With Anchovies" which served in a Korean style stone pot.

The 4 of us simple love this fried rice which is full of nutritious and vibrant colours from the ingredients used such as brown rice, preserved pickles, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, sweetcorn kernel and etc served together with some crispy anchovies on top. 
Price: S$13.00/serving

BEVERAGE AND DESSERT

饮料与甜品

We are amazed by the presentation of this "Hong Kong Style Cold Milk Tea" as it is served in a tall glass flask together with some dry ice flowing from the center of the flask. The overall taste of the milk tea is quiet smooth and fragrant but it could be better if it slightly colder.
Price: S$4.50/serving

To end the lunch, we ordered 3 different types of dessert such as "Pumpkin Cake with Red Bean Paste And Salted Egg Yolk (南瓜饼)" (i made something similar before, HERE) and "Japanese Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Fruit And Cream (白雪红梅)". So if you can't decide on which one to choice, you can order what I did with the combination plate of 2 items each.
Price: S$5.40/plate

They have a few choices on their shaved ice dessert but Aunt prefer this "Green Tea Snow Ice" with toppings such as colourful jelly, kidney beans and etc.
Price: S$4.50/serving

At the end of our meal, we are given a complimentary voucher of "8 pieces of Original Xiao Long Bao" for next return visit. (voucher is given with purchase from any basket of Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao). Shall return again to try their "Not Fried Rice (不是炒饭)" since we didn't get to try it this round plus to enjoy our complimentary Xiao Long Bao.

CRYSTAL JADE JIANG NAN

1 Harbour Front Walk
#01-52 VivoCity
Reservation: +65 6221 1830

Opening Hours:-
Monday to Friday: 11.30am - 10.30pm
Saturday, Sundays and Public Holidays: 11.00am - 10.30pm

Crystal Jade Dumpling Festival 2012

For this Dumpling Festival(端午节), Crystal Jade offers a range of traditional rice dumplings together with their new "Brown Rice Dumpling(红糙米八宝肉粽)" and "Cool Dessert Dumplings(冰冻甜品粽)" which are chilled puddings in the shape of dumplings.

Brown Rice Dumpling(红糙米八宝肉粽)is a hearty, savoury combination of steamed red brown rice, glutinous rice, chestnut, lotus seeds, peanuts, black eyed peas, pork and salted egg yolk. And this is definitely something worth trying for those who love brown rice as well as "beans and nuts".
Price: S$5.20 per dumpling

Rice Dumpling With Pork And Spicy Shrimp Paste(香辣虾米肉粽)is another sweet and savoury combination of pork, chestnut, dried shrimp paste, green bean(split green bean), black-eyed pea and glutinous rice which similar to the Cantonese style green bean dumpling.

Personally I would prefer this compared to the above because of the added green bean which makes it sweet and savoury taste.
Price: S$4.50 per dumpling

For something sweet and meatless, you can go for either this Red Bean Paste Dumpling(红豆沙咸水粽) or the Cooling Dessert Dumpling. This is a very simple traditional steamed “Kee Zhang” that is wrapped with generous amount of  smooth and fragrant red bean fillings.
Price: S$4.00 per dumpling

The NEW Crystal Jade Cooling Dessert Dumpling(冰冻甜品粽) is available in 3 different flavour such as:-

~ Petite Cheese And Peach Cool Dumpling(一口芝士蜜桃青凉粽)
Pudding made with cream cheese and canned peaches for those who like a hint of saltiness in their sweet.

~ Petite Black Glutinous Rice And Sago Cool Dumpling(一口黑糯米青凉粽)
Black glutinous rice which is said to be high in fire and antioxidants is cooked to tender stickiness with fragrant coconut milk.

~ Petite Sweetcorn Cool Dumpling(一口粟米青凉粽)
Delicious sweet corn mixed with evaporated milk based on the local dessert taste

Price: S$2.70 for 3 pieces; or S$5.00 for 6pieces


All dumplings are available from 04 - 23 June 2012 at Crystal Jade My Bread outlets. And savoury dumplings are also available at selected Crystal Jade restaurant. For your information, this year Dumpling Festival falls on Saturday, 23 June 2012.