Best Moon Cakes in GTA ? It's that time of year again...

[BokChoi]

Hi CHers,

I would like to call upon you all for some assistance in locating the most awe-inspiring moon cake in the GTA. Does anyone have any all-time favourites, or some secret finds? I try to minimize my consumption of these tasty treats, for fear of the ever expanding waistline, but I do try to have at least one each year (so I want to know which ones are worth noshing on). The rest are for family and friends.

I would also like suggestions on ‘modern’ takes on the traditional treat, such as green tea fillings (of which I have never tried), etc. Please also provide prices if you can.

TIA

Cheers and Happy Eating!

[aser]

I grew up eating 榮華 white lotus one or two yolks, but now that I live alone, it's hard to finish a whole box. Eating 4 of these babies will turn me into a fatty, plus it's rather expensive to pay $38 for a box of 4. Yup, 榮華 ain't cheap, that's for sure.

Can anybody recommend places selling classic white lotus 1 or 2 yolk mooncakes that are comparable to 榮華? Maybe I'll give Kim Moon a try....

[Teep]

T&T sells single Maxim and Hang Heung 美心﹐恆香mooncakes, which I convinced my dad to buy this year, instead of a whole box, which he insisted to do last year. We end up freezing most of it and just finished the last one in June this year.

[tksh]

Freezing the remainder moon cakes and slowly chipping away at them throughout the year until June.. that's true chinese style right there.

[pokerdan]

Try buy them after mid-autumn fest and they are selling cheap. Kim Moon ...never close.

[jeannieh20]

Oh my goodie goodness! I just came home and plopped my butt down and had 1/4 of a white lotus (no yolk) and am in HEAVEN! drool.... too bad for my a$$ and hips!! oh well I guess I'll be walking to work for the next year to work off this lard! mmmm.... now i have to watch my husband eat his 3 yolk moon cake.... :)

[BokChoi]

jeannieh20, I just got back from T&T and noticed that they sell "low-calorie" / "low fat" mooncakes (shocking). They use Xylitol and the nutritional information states that 1/4 mooncake is 199 calories, 8g of fat (or so). Not bad, if I do say so myself. However, since I only ingest these suckers once a year, I've decided to treat myself to the full-fat versions. I've never been the type to sacrifice taste for the sake of ....health. Wonder if anyone has ever tried them...?

Mooncakes are 15% off right now at T&T. Probably cheaper after the festival.

Cheers!

[jeannieh20]

ugh no i can't and won't do the low fat stuff, who knows what kind of chemicals end up in you body after eating it! I'll stick to my au natural moon cake with REAL fat (lard as opposed to shortening)... like you say it's only once a year I think I can deal.

surprisingly it was not too expensive, we bought 2 white lotus only and 2 2 yokes - the total was only $27 for everything, and since Kim Moon is in walking distance for me this year I don't mind. the amount of money spent on gas would make up the difference for the extra 15%... and since kim moon makes them year round i don't mind the extra for now...

enjoy your cakes!

[BokChoi]

I'm with you on that one. I could not imagine ingesting anything 'man made' in terms of sweeteners or fat. But the ingredients were all natural (from what was listed, less the shortening, but that is in a lot of things nowadays so it's almost a given) - even the xylitol - a sugar substitute derived from fruits/veggies. I guess it would be good for diabetics.

Now if you could only remove cholesterol from those egg yolks naturally...

Cheers!

[tjr]

Xylitol is generally a "natural" sugar substitute; then again, glucose-fructose is made from natural ingredients, and honey is a naturally occurring form of glucose-fructose.

I wouldn't worry too much about eating a few moon cakes a year; it's not going to hurt unless your diet is off-kilter anyways!

[BokChoi]

OK got around to trying a mooncake from T&T (from a friend) - "heng shawn" (phonetic translation). Not impressed. Tasted very artificial and bland compared to the Kim Moon version. Just an FYI.

cheers!

[Teep]

We tried the Maxim one and was disappointed too, the yolks were like leather!

[BokChoi]

Teep, thanks for the warning.

I did not even bother with the yolk on the one I was trying to eat. Once you have fresh ones, you cannot go back to the ones that were made months ago overseas. Maybe I just have not found a good one yet at T&T. I have realized that nothing beats lard.

[jeannieh20]

mmm.... LARD! (in deep homer voice)

I haven't even bothered to try others now that I had Kim Moon's.

[BokChoi]

jeannieh20, make sure you don't try their coconut mooncake with single egg. Just as an update to these earlier posts, I ate the coconut version (with other miscellaneous dried fruits inside) and I did not enjoy it at all. I ended up tossing out 3/4 of the cake as it reminded me of a Chinese version of the infamous Fruit Cake. The coconut flavour was quite apparent, but the texture was a bit 'off' for my tastes. The traditional white lotus version was much, much better.

Photo of coconut version: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

Cheers!

[Guzzler]

Bumping for 2009 ... where to order in Markham/Scarborough from local bakery/restaurant?

[BokChoi]

I haven't tried Aromaz for a while, but they're pretty decent overall for baked goods in the Scarborough area. I wouldn't claim them to be the best, but I do enjoy them. Might be worth trying out?

Some of their other seasonal goodies:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

I'm sure others will have further suggestions. Good luck!

[BokChoi]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

[autumnlilacs]

Are there any suggestions as to where I can find the "snowy skin" mooncakes? I'm going to be visiting Toronto from New Jersey (which imo is a culinary wasteland) and I would love to try it since I can't seem to find it anywhere near here!

[BokChoi]

"Snowy skin"? To be honest, I do not think I have ever seen these types of mooncakes. Perhaps you could describe the 'snow' - Is it some sort of flaked coconut?

[Teep]

I think that is "iced skin" 冰皮月餅, which is more like a mochi than a mooncake. Dunno, T&T? I think I saw "ice cream mooncakes" there.

[BokChoi]

Interesting. Never knew they existed as a mooncake. But you are right, I have seen them as mochi before.

[mmom]

I just saw at the Warden/Steeles T&T St. Honore Snowy Mooncake: box of 8 (mini) $22.88 and box of 8 (large) $33.88. T&T also makes its own brand of "icee mooncake" (availabe in the refrigerated showcase in the bakery section, next to the large cakes) which are $1.88 each. They come in different colour dough with different fillings, but you must be able to read Chinese to know which filling it is, as it's handwritten at the bottom of the packaged mooncake on the barcode label. I bought a green tea flavoured one and a longan flavoured one. I recall they also have capaccino, turnip, and berries (if I understand the roughly written chinese correctly...)

[BokChoi]

Thanks mmom. Are they good though? Have you tried any of the flavours?

[skylineR33]

Regarding Maxim's "iced skin" moon cake, it is not as rich, not as sweet and less oil as the traditional one. It is made with green bean paste. The skin is made with glutinous rice flour I believe. It is served cold. Maybe it is something for you if you prefer something not as heavy.

Here is a thread on it with some pic of the iced skin mooncake :

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/441736

[BokChoi]

Thanks for much for the information, skylineR33. And for remembering my preferences in taste!

[Chocaholic]

Hello.... mooncake fans,

This year I did not buy my mooncakes from Kim Moon because they use lard. That is what I've heard.

Someone who likes mooncakes recommended the following:

The Hung Heung brand and Wing Wah brand which are both sold T&T which is made in hong kong. I had a few pieces which did not feel as heavy as the kim moon ones. I had bought the white lotus paste with double yolk, the tin box for 4 was $27, and I bought 2 of the 5 nuts which was $18.99 for 2 only.

[Teep]

Lard is the classic ingredient. Kim Moon is considered "old school" so it is possible they still use lard. The more famous Hong Kong brands have switched away from it. (But if they use vegetable shortening it could still be chock full of trans fats.)

[jeannieh20]

I agree with Teep, I prefer the usage of lard (real fat) as opposed to shortening (man made fat). Shortening will shorten your life - sorry for the pun. Plus I find there is more flavor in lard than shortening anyhow.... since this is a once a year treat I would more than happy to take the lard version!

[mmom]

I haven't had any other brand iced skin mooncake so I can't compare the T&T ones to them. I do like the lighter flavour of this variety than the traditional pastry with lotus seed paste. I tried the green tea flavoured one, cold (I think one is supposed to store these iced skin mk's in the freezer), and it didn't taste oily at all and just the right amount of sweetness for it to be an indulgence. The longan flavoured MK was, on the other hand, too sweet (I would say even sweeter than the traditional MK with lotus seed paste), so I didn't enjoy it as much. At $1.88 (reg price $2.88), however, it's a good price to sample the various flavours they come in. There are about 6 flavours last night when I went.

[BokChoi]

Great. You are right - at $1.88 I would be more inclined to sample different flavours as it is not too large a commitment. I will try some of them hopefully before the price changes. Now I have to figure out how to get to Kim Moon Bakery during my lunch hour....

Cheers!

[Xellosw2099]

I tried those May Sum 冰皮月餅 with the chocolate coffee favor in chinatown, it is ok as a dessert, but as a moon cake, not that great. I went to Assi Plaza a few weeks ago and I find they got something call Green Tea Moon cake and so I bought a box. It is not May Sum but it is one of those other Hong Kong brand. It is pretty decent actually, the lotus seed paste is actually green-color and there is some hint of green tea favor in it.

[BokChoi]

Interesting - so it is a lotus seed paste based filling, with green tea flavouring in it, rather than a green tea filling. So this is typical when they say "green tea flavoured"? Or does it differ depending on the brand? Was it good as a mooncake?
Thanks for the recommendation

[tt711]

Anyone know where you can purchased bird's nest mooncake?

[Teep]

Was dashing thru Cherry St T&T and snapped these pics of their "Snowy mooncakes" by St. Honore

[Teep]

Duh, it helps to attach the photos :)

[BokChoi]

Thanks Teep. I had no idea what Snowy mooncakes were until this thread started - learn something new every day. And now I know where to find it - in the freezer section. Did you try any?

I picked up two pieces of mooncake at Kim Moon yesterday (after getting lost for 1/2 hour during my lunch break as I tried to rely on my memory - I could have SWORN the place looked bigger before. And the signage - I had to rely on reading Chinese characters to find it, for some reason, I could not find the English name. It was right next to Queen's Patisserie). Tried the white lotus last night. mmm ... brings back fond memories. Nice, rich and sweet. Hit the spot.

Also got a coconut flavoured one. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm excited to.

Single Mooncakes in a box: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/2840947475/

Mooncakes out of their box: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-snowpea/2840947551/

Lotus Mooncake filling: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

I love the intricacy of the mold they used and how each flavour is etched into the cake itself (along with the name of the bakery). Never paid much attention before, but from now on, I will.

Cheers and thanks for the rec everyone.

Now onto T&T...

[always_eating]

I bought the White Lotus with 1 Egg Yolk and the Coconut with 1 Egg Yolk too from Kim Moon on the weekend. They have both been eaten and were yummy! I also bought a Mixed Nuts moon cake from Tung Hing. It wasn't as good. Clearly I am on a moon cake binge, which is strange because normally I don't eat that many. It's usually my Mom who buys them.

I'm going to check out the ones at T&T this week and that's it or else I'm going to be rolling, just like a full moon. I also looked at the moon cakes at Lai Wah Heen but didn't buy any. I thought 8 in a box was too much but maybe not, given my eating habits. There are also the boxes with different tea matches.

[Teep]

Sure thing BokChoi. This particular freezer was in the mooncake section just inside the entrance of the Cherry St T&T.

No I didn't try any, maybe I'll get some if they go on sale after this weekend! If you do, please tell!

Etching the name and the flavour in the molds is actually quite a common practice.

[BokChoi]

I never took time to look at them before - I guess the phototaking has forced me to actually examine the cake before gorging myself on it. I know there was always a desing on them, but I was always too hungry to actually "stop and read the letters", so to speak.

I think I too will wait for the packaged goods to go on sale before I get anymore. Kim Moon's appeared fresh, so I wanted to snap some up. It was a sunny day - so it was a good excuse to go for a jog during lunch to pre-burn off the lard I was about to consume.

Thanks for the report as well, always_eating. Tea pairings for mooncake - well I'll be! That is quite elaborate.

Cheers!

[red dragon]

Kim Moon was my family's favorite.

Nowadays, we buy from Dragon Dynasty Restaurant. They don't have all the fancy varieties that are available (like at T&T), but I do like the mini ones they have. I've tried the fancy ones with green tea, nuts, etc, but personally prefer the plain ones, without the egg yolk (did I say that here)?? Everyone loves the egg yolks, but I just like the white lotus paste (no yolk).

[jeannieh20]

I agree with you red dragon, I normally enjoy the lotus paste only. Meanwhile my husband always insists on getting the 4 yolks! that way if he cuts it into quarters, there's always a yolk in each one! I hate the fact that he'll eat the whole entire box and not put on any weight!!! However his cholesterol shoots way up as punishment for no weight gain!

[red dragon]

LOL, that's funny about the 4 yolks, never thought about that! So, there is a balance to everything huh? That's what my husband always says about life in general. I look at food and gain weight; go figure!

Hope you're watching your husband's moon cake intake!

Have a great weekend.

[VitaSoy]

Are you looking for moon-cake made in TO only? If so, I don't know of any. But if you are looking for imports, my all time favorite is "May Sum" mooncake. The yolks are heartier (it looks greasier) than other import mooncakes.

My dad is coming over from HK next week and wants to bring me a box of mooncake. Does anyone know if mooncake is allowed at custom?

[Teep]

In English, "May Sum" is Maxim.

As long as he's not bringing the cakes with ham in it, (e.g. 金華火腿月) it should be OK.

[VitaSoy]

Thanks for the English name, Teep. And thanks for the advice on bringing in mooncake through custom.

[Wandering Foodie]

Yeah, I've been trying to locate two of my childhood favourites in Ontario but no such luck yet:
- Red bean paste with watermelon seeds.
- Durian paste.
The ones I've found so far are close but they include a whole bunch of other extras in there like eggs that I'm not particularly fond of.

[KevinB]

My (Chinese) wife swears by Kim Moon Bakery on Dundas St. W. I'll ask her for prices tonight, and get back to you.

[BokChoi]

Thanks KevinB. Haven't had one of those in ages. Good to hear they are still good.

[jeannieh20]

I second the Kim Moon suggestion - as I've mentioned before in other threads, they're an institution not to be messed with. If you don't want to buy them by the box full, you can get them individually. We might head that way this weekend so we'll also check out the pricing.

As far as I remember though Kim Moon keeps to the traditional style of moon cakes, and they make them year round!

[LTL]

I agree - munching on one right now actually! White lotus paste with two egg yolks is my favourite. A box of those will cost you $27, but there are many other varieties, all of which are less expensive.

[suzday]

Hey KevinB, just wanted to say thanks for the Kim Moon rec: I'm new to Toronto, but finding this place was like finding PARADISE! We got 4 cakes for just $25.00 even: lotus with three yolk, white lotus with two yolk, red bean with 1 yolk, and green bean with 1 yolk. Absolutely fantastic!

[suzday]

Oh and i should report also that if you go right now, you are promised to have VERY fresh cakes because I couldn't believe the rate they were churning them out at: I was only in the bakery for maybe 10 minutes, and a worker came three times with fresh trays to replenish the display cases!

[vorpal]

Ha! Four different flavours in one box? That would be like a disaster for me: I wouldn't be able to resist the urge the eat them all to myself in one day.