Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Guide to Hanoi’s Top 4 Traditional Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncakes

The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with the delicious traditional mooncakes of Hanoi? Join us as we showcase four of the most renowned traditional mooncake brands in the region, right here in this article!

Administrator

10 July, 2024

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Mid-Autumn Festival is a special occasion that brings family and friends together after months of hard work. To enhance the festive atmosphere, sharing banh trung thu (mooncakes) truly embodies the spirit of this harvest moon celebration. Join us as we explore four famous traditional mooncake shops in Hanoi in the article below!

1Bao Phuong Mooncakes

Bao Phuong Mooncakes

Food Quality: 5.0/5 (Google Rating)

Address: 183 Thuy Khue, Thuy Khue, Tay Ho, Hanoi

Price Range: 25,000 – 80,000 VND

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Usually crowded at 6:00 PM)

Phone Number: 02438230797

Facebook: Banh Trung Thu Bao Phuong

Delivery: None

Menu Highlights: Assorted dried pork and sausage mooncake, assorted sausage and jam mooncake, assorted sausage and salted egg mooncake, mung bean and watermelon seed mooncake, mung bean and salted egg mooncake, mung bean and scented lotus seed mooncake, meat mooncake.

Signature Dish: Assorted dried pork and sausage mooncake (Approx. 55,000 VND/piece)

Pros: Delicious mooncakes, not overly sweet

Cons: Crowded during Mid-Autumn Festival

If you’re a fan of traditional mooncakes, you can’t miss Bao Phuong Bakery at 183 Thuy Khue. While they sell mooncakes year-round, as Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the bakery buzzes with customers lining up to buy their treats.

The mooncakes at Bao Phuong don’t feature intricate designs; they are mostly square or round with familiar patterns. However, what sets them apart is the rich flavors and aromas that their mooncake crusts offer.

Bao Phuong Mooncakes boast rich flavors and aromas.

2Ninh Huong Mooncakes

Ninh Huong Mooncakes

Food Quality: 4.4/5 (Google Rating)

Address: 22 Hang Dieu, Cua Dong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Price Range: 30,000 – 55,000 VND

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Usually crowded at 4:00 PM)

Phone Number: 02438251148

Facebook: Ninh Huong Ha Noi

Delivery: Yes (Foody)

Menu Highlights: Uncovered lotus seed candy, lotus-scented tea, jasmine-scented tea, special Thai Nguyen tea, baked and sticky mooncakes, cassava starch, Vong village green rice flakes, longan with seeds,…

Signature Dish: Lotus-scented tea

Pros: Delicious mooncakes, not too sweet, clear price listing

Cons: Crowded during Mid-Autumn Festival

Ninh Huong Bakery, located at 22 Hang Dieu, is a prominent spot to find delightful mooncakes for your loved ones. They only sell mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but their mouthwatering flavors and sweet fillings keep customers eagerly awaiting their annual treats.

Ninh Huong Mooncakes offer mouthwatering flavors and sweet fillings.

3Ba Dan Mooncakes

Ba Dan Mooncakes

Food Quality: N/A

Address: 126 Ngo 554 Truong Chinh Street, Hanoi

Price Range: 30,000 – 95,000 VND

Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Phone Number: 0961240383

Facebook: Banh Trung Thu Ba Dan

Delivery: Yes (Foody)

Menu Highlights: Assorted or mung bean mooncake without egg, assorted or mung bean mooncake with 1 egg, assorted or mung bean mooncake with 2 eggs, vegetarian sticky mooncake

Signature Dish: Assorted or mung bean mooncake with 1 egg (Approx. 75,000 VND)

Pros: Traditional-flavored mooncakes, reasonable prices

Cons: Crowded during festivals

Ba Dan Mooncakes is a long-standing traditional mooncake brand. According to stories, Ba Dan initially made mooncakes for her family and as gifts for relatives. However, due to the exceptional taste of her mooncakes, word spread, and she eventually started selling them. Over the years, her mooncakes gained widespread recognition, becoming the famous brand they are today.

Ba Dan Mooncakes is a long-standing traditional mooncake brand.

4Phuong Soat Mooncakes

Phuong Soat Mooncakes

Food Quality: 3.2/5 (Google Rating)

Address: 10 P. Vong Ha, Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Price Range: 50,000 – 300,000 VND

Opening Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Usually crowded at 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM)

Phone Number: 02439322375 and 0912294748

Facebook: Cua Hang Banh Phuong Soat

Delivery: Yes (Foody)

Menu Highlights: Premium assorted mooncake, assorted mooncake with chicken ham and roasted chicken, assorted mooncake with chicken ham and 2 eggs, traditional assorted mooncake, large carp mooncake,…

Signature Dish: Premium assorted mooncake (Approx. 120,000 VND)

Pros: Delicious mooncakes, diverse shapes and flavors

Cons: Pricier compared to other shops

Phuong Soat Bakery is located on the second floor of an old house in a small alley. They are famous not only for their traditional mooncakes but also for their unique creations, such as carp- and turtle-shaped mooncakes. They offer a variety of shapes and flavors to cater to their customers’ preferences. Additionally, visitors can witness the intricate process of handcrafted mooncake-making at the shop.

Phuong Soat Mooncakes offer a variety of shapes and flavors.

The above information highlights four renowned traditional mooncake shops in Hanoi. Make sure to visit these shops and bring home delicious mooncakes for your family and friends during this special festival.

Frequently asked questions

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional holiday celebrated by Vietnamese people, as well as many other Asian countries. It is a time for families to come together and give thanks for the year’s harvest while praying for prosperity and luck in the months ahead. The festival is also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, as it is centered around the appreciation of the full moon, which symbolizes unity, completeness, and abundance.

Mooncakes are traditional pastries that are essential to the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. These cakes are round or square and feature intricate imprints on their tops. They are usually made with a tender pastry crust and filled with a dense, sweet paste often made from lotus seeds, beans, or nuts. Mooncakes are considered a delicacy and are exchanged between friends, family, and business associates as gifts during the festival. They are believed to bring good luck and are an important part of the cultural heritage of Vietnam.

1. Lotus Seed Mooncake (Bánh Trung Thu Hạt Sen): This classic mooncake is a favorite among Hanoians. It has a delicate fragrance and a sweet, nutty flavor from the lotus seeds.

2. Green Bean Mooncake (Bánh Trung Thu Đậu Xanh): Green bean mooncakes have a vibrant green filling made from mung beans. They are less sweet than lotus seed mooncakes and have a slightly earthy flavor.

3. Mixed Nuts Mooncake (Bánh Trung Thu Ngũ Nhân): This variety features a combination of nuts, including peanuts, walnuts, almonds, and sesame seeds, creating a crunchy and flavorful experience.

4. Fried Pork Fat Mooncake (Bánh Trung Thu Chả Ấm): A unique specialty of Hanoi, this mooncake features a layer of fried pork fat, giving it a rich and savory taste. It is usually enjoyed as a savory snack during the festival.

You can find traditional mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival at various bakeries, specialty stores, and markets in Hanoi. Some popular places to buy mooncakes include Kinh Đô Bakery, Hanoi Cake Shop, and the Mooncake Market held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. You can also find mooncakes at local supermarkets and online retailers, but it’s always a special experience to visit the traditional markets and shops during this festive season.

When choosing mooncakes, look for reputable brands or traditional bakeries that use high-quality ingredients. Check the expiration date and ensure the packaging is intact. Also, consider your personal preference for the type of filling and crust. For storage, mooncakes can be kept at room temperature for a few days, but for longer periods, it’s best to refrigerate or freeze them. Just bring them to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.