My first year in China, I learned that people would line up for hours to buy a Haagen-Dazs mooncake. It sounded crazy.
Later, it made more sense when I realized that mooncakes have a complex buying-and-giving culture attached to them — having the right mooncakes can make a celebration special, or impress a certain recipient.
As a result, creative minds are always coming up with revolutionary new mooncakes, the newest edge to a 3,000 year old holiday.
Each year around this time, my feed gets filled with mooncake content. Well this time you’re all suffering with me. Enjoy these mooncakes, if not with your mouths, with your eyes!
1. Dragon Blossom Snowskin Mooncake
Sheesh, what the heck is this?
This outrageous thing comes from the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, and yeah it’s pretty damn classy; it’s made with dragonfruit, pineapple, and macadamia nuts.
2. Baker’s Cottage Pandan Lotus Mooncake
Jimmy Ly is the mind behind Madame Vo, one of the most celebrated Vietnamese restaurants in the US today.
He’s also the creator of this mooncake, which deviates from the standard to incorporate the smooth flavor of pandan.
3. Rum Raisin and Smoked Cognac Mooncake
This mooncake comes from The Ice Cream Bar, and it might also get you drunk!
If anyone gets drunk off this mooncake, please message me to confirm. If not, the liquor-infused ice cream will at least give it some bite.
4. Golden Moments Durian Mooncake
Controversial. Durian is loved by some, hated by others.
I have not yet cracked the code to fully enjoy the durian experience. But those who have will certainly enjoy the gooey, fleshy texture of this poop mooncake.
5. Blue Moon Mooncake
Another creation from the Hilton Kuala Lumpur, intended as a blend of Eastern and Western influences.
This one uses Amaretto Lotus Paste and Blueberry Cheese Feuillantine to achieve its balanced flavor.
6. Wing Wah Mooncake
Okay, this one isn’t an innovation — it’s a classic.
Nonetheless, the Wing Wah mooncake, which uses lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk, is famous for a reason, and deserves a place in every list
7. Mala Chicken Floss Mooncake
What is chicken floss?
Meat floss is a product consumed in countries across Asia. It’s a shredded, dried meat, usually with a fluffy, cotton-like texture.
Pork floss is by far the most popular, but the Birds of a Feather Sichuan restaurant in Brooklyn uses chicken floss to achieve its beautiful, protein-rich mooncake.
8. Baby Yoda Mooncake
Man, mixed feelings about this one. Does this even count as a mooncake?
With its eerily smooth, pale green texture, this baby yoda mooncake comes as part of Home Favourite‘s Mandalorian-themed gift box — but it looks as though it could taste of white chocolate and Pez.
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There you have it, folks — some unique mooncakes to aspire to on this Mid-Autumn Festival.
中秋节快乐！