The Ultimate Guide to the Best Mooncake Varieties for This Mid-Autumn Festival

Moon cakes are a traditional delicacy enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival, originating from China and known as “Mooncakes” or “Yue Bing”. The round shape of these cakes symbolizes the full moon and conveys wishes for completeness, happiness, and prosperity. Traditional decorations on the cakes include floral patterns and Chinese characters conveying wishes for peace and family harmony.

Today, moon cakes come in a wide variety of flavors and styles, catering to different tastes and preferences. Join us as we explore the diverse world of moon cakes in this article!

1. Baked Moon Cakes

Traditional Baked Moon Cakes with Assorted Fillings

When it comes to traditional moon cakes, the assorted fillings variety is a must-mention. Basic ingredients include candied melon, dried tangerine peel, candied winter melon, maltose, lotus seeds, sesame, sugar syrup, sesame oil, rice wine, and soft cake flour.

Modern variations often substitute ingredients like cashews, dried tangerine peel, and melon seeds with ingredients like walnut kernels, shredded chicken, and blueberries. Premium versions may even include luxurious ingredients such as abalone and fish maw to cater to the diverse tastes of consumers.

However, the traditional method of preparing the fillings remains unchanged. The fillings are cooked, rounded, and then wrapped in a soft cake dough, molded, and baked.

Traditional moon cakes with assorted fillings offer a harmonious blend of flavors.

Moon Cakes with Green Bean Paste Filling

Moon cakes with green bean paste filling offer a delightful sweetness that is widely popular. The filling is simple, consisting of green beans, sugar, flour, and salted duck eggs. However, for vegan options, the eggs are omitted.

The green beans are boiled, ground into a fine paste, and then cooked with sugar for 45-60 minutes. This process ensures the filling has just the right amount of sweetness and retains its moisture. These moon cakes pair exceptionally well with hot tea.

Moon cakes with green bean paste filling offer a basic sweetness that is widely enjoyed.

Moon Cakes with Salted Duck Egg Yolk Filling

Moon cakes with salted duck egg yolk are one of the most popular varieties today. The rich, fatty flavor of the yolks pairs beautifully with a range of fillings, including assorted, green bean, taro, or green tea, depending on personal preference.

These round, golden cakes with their intense aroma of salted duck eggs are sure to make your family’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebration even more special.

Moon cakes with salted duck egg yolk are a popular choice for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Moon Cakes with Other Unique Fillings

Moon Cakes with Lotus Seed Filling

Moon cakes with lotus seed filling offer a delicate sweetness and a subtle fragrance. The filling combines lotus seeds and green beans in a 1:1 ratio, along with cornstarch, tapioca starch, or soft cake flour.

While most lotus seed moon cakes remove the bitter core of the lotus seeds, some manufacturers retain a small portion of it, creating a unique, slightly bitter flavor.

Moon cakes with lotus seed filling offer a unique flavor profile.

Check out these easy-to-make lotus seed moon cake recipes at home.

Green Tea Moon Cakes

Green tea moon cakes are a relatively new variety, featuring Japanese matcha powder as a key ingredient. The filling combines salted duck eggs with almonds or walnuts and matcha powder. Some variations also use black tea or jasmine tea powder.

These moon cakes come in two types: those with matcha powder in both the filling and the dough, and those with matcha only in the filling. This variety is perfect for those who love the flavors of tea and matcha.

Green tea moon cakes offer a unique blend of matcha and traditional moon cake flavors.

Tiramisu Moon Cakes

Tiramisu moon cakes are a unique fusion of Asian and European cuisines. They are gaining popularity for their novelty, elegance, and refined flavor.

The filling is simple yet delicious, made with green beans, sugar, cream cheese, and cocoa or coffee powder. The distinctive black exterior of these moon cakes makes a striking impression.

Tiramisu moon cakes combine the best of Asian and European flavors.

2 Soft and Chewy Moon Cakes

Soft and chewy moon cakes have a delicate, chewy texture and a subtle fragrance of pomelo blossoms. The green bean paste filling has a beautiful yellow color and a balanced sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm the palate.

This variety is a consistent favorite among families during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Soft and chewy moon cakes are a beloved classic.

3 Other Varieties of Moon Cakes

Vegan Moon Cakes

Vegan moon cakes are perfect for those who follow a vegan diet, have dietary restrictions, or simply want a lighter option during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These cakes are typically made with easily accessible ingredients like purple sweet potatoes or other vegetables, ensuring a delightful treat.

Vegan moon cakes offer a delicious alternative for those with dietary restrictions.

Moon Cakes for Dieters

While traditional moon cakes are beloved by many, they are typically high in sugar, making them unsuitable for those with diabetes or those on a diet. However, with a modified recipe that reduces the amount of sugar, even those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these treats while maintaining their health.

Moon cakes can be adapted to suit the needs of those with dietary restrictions.

Animal-Shaped Moon Cakes

Animal-shaped moon cakes add a touch of playfulness and joy to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Some popular shapes include:

• Fish-shaped moon cakes
• Shark-shaped moon cakes
• Crab-shaped moon cakes
• Rabbit-shaped moon cakes
• Dolphin-shaped moon cakes

Animal-shaped moon cakes bring a playful twist to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Japanese-Style Moon Cakes with Thousand Layers

In Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated with traditional treats like baked and soft moon cakes. However, the Japanese-style moon cake with its thousands of layers has recently gained popularity for its vibrant colors and delicious flavors.

These moon cakes get their name from the numerous layers of dough stacked together, though not quite reaching a thousand. This variety originated in Teochew, China, and is known as “Teochew mooncake.”

Japanese-style moon cakes with thousand layers offer a colorful and tasty treat.

Taiwanese Moon Cakes

In addition to the traditional Vietnamese baked moon cakes, the Mid-Autumn Festival now welcomes a fusion of cultural influences. Taiwanese moon cakes, with their distinct layers, have captured the interest of many in Vietnam.

Taiwanese moon cakes offer a unique twist on the traditional treat.

Hong Kong-Style Moon Cakes with Lava Filling

A recent trend in moon cakes is the lava-filled variety from Hong Kong. These cakes must be heated in the microwave before consumption to achieve the ideal texture and flavor.

The filling comes in various flavors, including green bean, salted duck egg, coffee, and chocolate. Fresh moon cake fillings are incredibly diverse and can include ingredients like abalone, assorted nuts, chicken, coconut, almonds, green beans, lotus seeds, salted duck eggs, durian, or even cherry.

Hong Kong-style moon cakes with lava filling offer a unique, trendy treat.

Korean Moon Cakes (Songpyeon)

Korea has its own unique take on moon cakes, known as Songpyeon. These cakes differ significantly from their Vietnamese counterparts in both shape and preparation. Songpyeon are shaped like a crescent moon or a half-moon, unlike the traditional square or round cakes found in other Asian countries.

They are made from rice flour and filled with a variety of ingredients, including sesame seeds, honey, and red bean paste. Pine needles are an essential ingredient in Songpyeon, imparting a distinctive flavor and aroma.

Korean moon cakes (Songpyeon) offer a unique cultural twist to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

You can find a wide range of moon cakes, including well-known brands such as Dong Khanh, Kinh Do, and Hanoi Confectionery, at our website.

The above-mentioned moon cake varieties are widely loved and celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival. We hope that this guide has helped you understand the different types of moon cakes and their unique flavors, making it easier for you to choose the perfect treat for yourself and your loved ones.