Your Complete Guide To The Modern And Traditional Types Of Mooncakes You Can Find In Singapore For A Spectacular Mid-Autumn Festival Experience

When you think of the annual Mid Autumn Festival (or the Mooncake Festival), the first thing that comes to mind is mooncakes! In fact, 月饼 (yuèbǐng) literally means mooncakes in Chinese.

These traditional pastries are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. Their round shapes symbolise families reuniting for dinners, playing with lanterns, and eating mooncakes under the full moon. 

The Story Of The Moon Goddess Chang'E, One Of The Most Well-Known Origin Story Of The Mid-Autumn Festival

As it is with other cultures, many tell the story of the Moon Goddess, Chang'E, to children so they'll never forget the origin of mooncakes while appreciating these traditional pastries. If you haven't heard the story before; the story of the Moon Goddess Chang'E begins with the tale of how there used to be ten suns in the sky, causing the plants to die on Earth.

This prompted Hou Yi, a legendary archer, to aim his bow and arrow towards nine suns out of the ten, shooting them down from the sky. As a result, he was rewarded with two portions of the elixir of immortality. Since Hou Yi was was unwilling to part ways with his wife, Chang'E, he handed both elixirs to her for safekeeping instead.

But while Hou Yi was out hunting, his apprentice broke into his home and tried to seize the elixirs from Chang'E. She drank it immediately to prevent him from taking it from her, causing her to ascend to the heavens. After Hou Yi learned of what happened, he noticed a figure that seemed very similar to Chang'E on the bright moon. From that day on, he offered her favourite cakes and fruits before a full moon to convey how much he missed her. 

Traditional mooncakes are usually baked pastries unique to different regions in China. They are typically distinguished by their unique flavours, appearance, and texture. On the other hand, contemporary mooncakes are usually unbaked pastries that are best enjoyed chilled.

So, what type of mooncakes are there? Let us dive into each of them so you get a better idea of how they taste. You might even find a new favourite during this upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival!

Your Complete Guide To The 17 Types Of Mooncakes In Singapore, From Traditional Mooncakes To Modern Variations

1. Cantonese-Style Mooncake (The Classic Mooncakes We All Know - Lotus Mooncakes etc.)

Cantonese mooncakes are one of the most common types of mooncakes in Singapore. They are easily recognized by the decorative embossed patterns on the golden-brown surface. 

Traditional Cantonese mooncake fillings range from lotus seed paste to red bean paste, mung bean paste, lotus paste with melon seeds, and black sesame paste. Some larger traditional mooncakes include a salted egg yolk or two in the middle. 

As the process of producing lotus paste is quite tedious, a Cantonese mooncake with pure lotus paste filling tends to come with quite a hefty price tag. The overall process is a lengthy one that involves boiling lotus seeds in a pot until they are soft enough to mash, blend it right after for a finer texture, and lastly, to cook the mixture with oil in a large pan until it emulsifies completely into a paste.

Having said that, Cantonese-style mooncakes these days come in more unique flavours away from the traditional lotus paste such as coconut paste and jujube paste.

Aside from these sweet pastes, some traditional Cantonese mooncakes are available in the form of savoury mooncakes, such as roast pork and Chinese sausage. If you've never tried pork mooncake, you're missing out on this unique twist to the usually sweet taste you'd expect of most mooncakes.

2. Hong Kong-Style Mooncake

Hong Kong-style mooncakes are a nice blend of savoury and sweet. Their fillings consist of egg yolks and white lotus paste. While it takes quite an elaborate process to make the fillings, the mooncakes come out to be very smooth while paired with the thin, even crust.

3. Teochew Mooncake, also known as Chaoshan Mooncake

If you enjoy a soft but crispy crust, the Teochew mooncake is the perfect choice. A Teochew mooncake, also known as a Chaoshan mooncake, is a pastry with alternating layers of colourful, flaky crusts. This flaky pastry appears to have infinite layers, earning its nickname as the thousand-layer mooncake.

Teochew mooncakes are baked with fillings such as red bean paste, mung bean paste, sweetened yam paste, and salted egg yolk. There's a seafood version as well if you are looking for a savoury twist. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury, the Teochew mooncake will be a delightful treat for your family reunion.

4. Hokkien Mooncake

Hokkien mooncakes are white pastries with Chinese characters stamped on the surface in red. They are usually filled with tangerine peel, candied winter melon, and sugar. Sesame seeds are sometimes coated on the base and sides of the mooncake for a distinct aroma. If lucky, you may even come across a savoury Hokkien mooncake that has a minced meat filling.

The Hokkien mooncake is given to students preparing for their exams as a good luck charm in China. This tradition started in China's dynastic era when these mooncakes were distributed to those taking the imperial examinations.

5. Shanghai Mooncake

A Shanghai mooncake is a shortcrust pastry, typically filled with a date or red bean paste. Unlike the Cantonese-style mooncakes, Shanghai mooncakes are more crisp and crumbly.

The pastry is made by rubbing butter into the flour to create a crumbly texture. When paired with salted egg yolk and lotus paste, this combination is a match made in heaven. If you prefer having a meat mooncake, the Shanghai mooncake has a savoury stuffing made from fresh pork.

6. Suzhou-Style Mooncake

If a savoury mooncake is more up your alley, you must try the Suzhou mooncake. It has a crisp, flaky crust encasing a meat filling such as shallots, ham, pork, or shrimp. Occasionally, these mooncakes do come in sweet fillings, ranging from bean paste to nuts and rose petals.

While Suzhou mooncake skins were traditionally prepared with lard, it's more common to use vegetable oil or butter for a milder flavour. Suzhou mooncakes require two doughs - oil and water dough, to create a distinct layered appearance. These mooncakes usually have sprinkled black sesame seeds or a red stamp on the surface.

7. Anhui-Style Mooncake

Anhui-style mooncakes are thin-crusted pastries that are usually smaller than the other kinds of mooncakes. 

These mooncakes are known for their unique fillings, whether salty or sweet. Some bakers mix white sugar, fresh pork oil, and marinated vegetables to create a sweet and savoury filling. There's the signature prune filling as well, which is made of pickled prunes and sugar.

8. Quzhou-Style Mooncake

Sesame is one of the key ingredients when it comes to baking the Quzhou-style mooncake. It is incorporated in the filling or used to sprinkle on the surface of this sweet and crispy pastry. Some bakers even paint auspicious images on larger mooncakes with coloured sesame.

9. Beijing-Style Mooncake

Beijing-style mooncake is well-known for its cooking method, passed down from the ancient royal palace. Not only does the crispy pastry look exquisite, but its filling is just as fascinating. The stuffing usually consists of rock sugar, nuts, and sweet-scented osmanthus.

10. Fengzhen Mooncake

For those who prefer sweet snacks, the Fengzhen mooncake is for you. This is one of the mooncake types that does not have any fillings. Instead, the dough is made from red sugar syrup, flour, and fried linseed oil before being baked with linseed oil and sesame on the surface. 

While most mooncakes taste best baked on the same day, these delicious mooncakes from Inner Mongolia taste better after they've turned a darker colour, about two or three days after baking.

11. Shaanxi-Style Mooncake

Shaanxi-style mooncakes are locally known as Crystal mooncakes in China and are perfect for those with a sweet tooth. The filling comprises nuts, sugar, vegetable oil, roses, tangerine peels, and preserved fruits. This mooncake has a thicker crust than what you'd expect from regular mooncakes.

12. Yunnan-Style Mooncake

Yunnan-style mooncakes are savoury mooncakes with a golden crisp exterior. The most popular filling would be a combination of honey, sugar, ham, and lard. Xuanwei ham is typically used to make a Yunnan-style mooncake, as Yunnan's climate is ideal for curing hams.

If you're not a fan of ham, you must try the Yunnan-style flower mooncake. It is a delicate pastry that incorporates fresh roses or edible flowers, carrying a somewhat sweet taste with a hint of sourness.

13. Snow Skin Mooncake

The snow skin mooncake is a type of no-bake mooncake made from cooked glutinous rice flour. Snow skin mooncakes have delicate skin that has patterns stamped on its surface, similar to a Cantonese-style mooncake. It has a slight chewiness with a smooth texture. Unlike traditional mooncakes, snow skin mooncakes are typically stored in the fridge and best served cold.

One really cool thing about the snow skin mooncake is you can add any colourings or flavourings to the dough to create the mooncake of your dreams. Chances are you've even heard of Ondeh Ondeh and durian snowskin mooncakes! Snow skin mooncakes in Singapore are usually available in various flavours, such as lotus paste, salted duck egg yolk, purple yam, fruit sago, milk tea, and more. 

14. Fruit Mooncake

A fruit mooncake consists of a sweet filling made from fresh fruits such as orange, pineapple, strawberry, honeydew, and peach. This variation of mooncakes is perfect for those with a sweet tooth or who prefer a healthier option of the traditional mooncake at the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. But that said, fruit mooncakes tend to be an uncommon find that are usually offered by home-bakers.

15. Ice Cream Mooncake

Yes, you read that right! There are mooncakes made from ice cream, making them perfect for the tropical weather in Singapore. Ice cream mooncake ingredients are combined and poured into a traditional mooncake mould to resemble the classic mooncakes. The outer layer is usually made from chocolate or the roasted glutinous rice flour used to make snow skin mooncakes. 

As ice creams come in various flavours, it wouldn't be difficult to find ice cream mooncakes that appeal to you. Some even add orange-coloured ice cream to the middle of these mooncakes to make them seem like salted egg yolks or salted duck egg yolks you'd expect from traditional mooncakes.

16. Jelly Mooncake

Jelly mooncakes are a variant of contemporary mooncakes and are probably one of the least challenging versions to prepare. While they resemble the shape of traditional mooncakes, these jellies are refreshing to enjoy on a hot day, making them a crowd-pleaser. 

The entire jelly mooncake is made from agar-agar powder and various flavours. You can even add colouring to make them look pretty. Some even add fruit pieces to the jelly mooncakes for added depth and flavour.

Fun Fact: Did you know that a Jelly Mooncake is also called a "Crystal Mooncake" because of its translucent appearance?

17. Hopia

Hopia is known for its thin, flaky skin and is relatively flatter compared to the other mooncakes. It is usually filled with purple yam, azuki bean paste, or mung bean paste. 

This mooncake is available all year round in Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also less expensive compared to the traditional mooncakes in Singapore, making it a popular everyday snack and a souvenir.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Many Kinds Of Mooncakes Are There?

While we've shared 17 types of mooncakes in this article, many types of mooncakes are not available in Singapore.  

But what types of mooncakes are there here? Well, we will usually see Cantonese-style mooncakes and snowskin mooncakes. Ice cream mooncakes are slowly gaining traction and are available in many flavours.

2. What Is The Most Popular Mooncake?

There are many popular mooncake flavours, but none are considered the best mooncake. The best mooncakes are what you consider your favourites! That being said, some of the most popular mooncake flavours include:

• Lotus mooncake

• Red bean mooncake

• Green bean mooncake

• Salted egg yolk mooncake

• Five kernel mooncake

3. What Is The Difference Between Shanghai And Teochew Mooncakes?

Shanghai mooncakes are buttery and crumbly shortcrust pastries and usually include sweet fillings such as red bean paste, taro paste, or lotus seed paste. An egg yolk may even be included to balance the sweet flavours. 

Teochew mooncakes, also known as thousand-layer mooncakes, feature alternating layers and are known for their soft interior and crispy crust. Not only are these mooncakes available with sweet fillings, but they also offer savoury fillings such as seafood and egg yolks.

4. How Long Can Mooncakes Last?

The duration for how long mooncakes can last differs for all types of mooncakes. Some commercial mooncakes may last two weeks, and others for up to a few months. It depends on the storage method, mooncake packaging, filling, and the brand itself. 

5. What Are The Different Types Of Lotus Mooncakes?

The traditional lotus mooncake usually uses red lotus paste and has a more intense flavour than white lotus paste. It also has a denser texture and may include a salted egg yolk to balance out the sweetness of the red lotus paste. 

White lotus mooncake uses white lotus paste that has a lighter flavour than red lotus paste. The white lotus paste is also considered smoother and more expensive due to the processing involved.

6. Are Mooncake Pastes High In Calories? (e.g., Mung Bean Paste, Red Bean Paste, Lotus Seed Paste, etc.)

Different kinds of mooncakes come in all kinds of mooncake flavours. In general, most mooncake pastes are rather high in calories due to the substantial amounts of sugar and oil involved in the cooking process, whether they're for the lotus mooncake, red bean mooncake, mung bean mooncake, or more. 

The good news is if you're a health-conscious person or would simply prefer to consume less sugar, you can opt to have fruit or jelly mooncakes.

7. How Do I Reuse Mooncake Boxes?

Mooncake boxes are known for their intricately designed packaging, making them perfect gifts for the Mid Autumn Festival without needing to buy additional wrapping. Sometimes, you receive so many of these, and you wonder what you could do to reuse these mooncake boxes. 

Many people reuse mooncake boxes as storage options for their office supplies, photos, jewellery, and craft supplies. Some even use them as home décor to add an extra touch of elegance to their space.

8. How Are Mooncakes Made?

The steps to bake a traditional mooncake consist of preparing the dough and some filling. The dough is typically made from plain flour, golden syrup, lye water, and vegetable oil before setting aside to let it rest. Once ready, flatten the dough and wrap it around your favourite fillings. Place the mooncake dough into a round mould to imprint the design. Once released from the mould, your mooncake will be ready to be baked in the oven.

9. What Do Mooncakes Taste Like?

Every mooncake offers a unique experience, especially with the abundant types of mooncakes out there. Think different textures and flavours, from savoury to sweet fillings, dense cake-like skin and flaky crusts, even jellied bodies and frozen ice cream or chocolate mooncake shells. The list is seemingly endless!

But in a more general sense, since Cantonese-style mooncakes are one of, if not the most widespread type of mooncake, many locals and those who celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival typically use it as a taste benchmark.

A Cantonese-style mooncake has a rich buttery flavour with a slight chewiness to it thanks to its dense paste-like filling. Depending on the filling, it may have a smooth and creamy consistency or even crunchy and chewy (like mixed fruits and nuts mooncakes).

As for the snow skin mooncake, it has a chewy exterior layer with a smooth and sweet filling on the inside that makes one think of the Japanese daifuku.

10. What Do Mooncakes Symbolise?

In Chinese culture, a round shape represents the moon, symbolising reunion, coinciding with the full moon during Mid Autumn Festival. Thus, families gather around and share mooncakes as part of the tradition.