Famous kueh lapis & festive treats
Bengawan Solo (Kueh Lapis)
A well-known bakery counter specialising in kueh lapis and traditional Peranakan cakes, perfect for takeaway gifts and t...
Mid-Autumn Festival 2025: Best Mooncakes to Gift
A practical Singapore guide to the best mooncakes to gift for Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 — styles, where to buy across Orchard, Tiong Bahru and the heartlands, and ordering tips for families and corporates.
A mooncake is more than a sweet — in Singapore it’s a small ritual of thanks and connection.
Preorder early: the limited-run flavours disappear faster than lantern batteries.
Why Mid-Autumn still matters in Singapore
Mid-Autumn is one of the most visible festivals on Singapore’s calendar — lanterns appear in HDB void decks, Chinatown bazaars light up, and gift boxes stack up in Orchard Street windows. For many families and companies, mooncakes are the festival’s social currency: a little box that says thank you, Selamat Hari Raya-style goodwill, or simply happy family reunion.
Even in our fast-paced city, gifting mooncakes remains a ritual: parents send boxes to children studying overseas, neighbours exchange tins in the heartlands, and corporations order corporate hampers for clients in the CBD. The variety on offer now — from traditional baked lotus to snowskin, durian, and artisanal flavours — means you can match the mooncake to the recipient and the occasion.
Mooncake types: which to gift and who they’re for
Traditional baked mooncakes (lotus paste, red bean, single/double yolk) remain the safe, crowd-pleasing choice for older relatives and corporate clients who expect the classic taste and presentation.
Snowskin mooncakes — chilled, soft and often fruit-forward — suit younger recipients, friends, or as a modern twist for afternoon-tea style gifting. Durian mooncakes and premium ‘lava’ yolk-centre mooncakes are local favourites if you know the recipient loves bold flavours.
There are also low-sugar, vegan and halal-certified options now available from several bakeries, making it easier to gift inclusively across diverse friend groups and colleagues.
- For grandparents: classic baked lotus (single or double yolk).
- For colleagues & clients: hotel boxes or elegantly packaged bakery tins.
- For friends & younger crowd: snowskin, fruit flavours or pandan.
- For durian lovers: 100% durian paste or durian yolk mooncakes.
Where to buy in Singapore: neighbourhoods, bakeries and hotel picks
Orchard and the CBD host the luxury hotel offerings (think Orchard Road hotels and five-star pâtisseries) that still command attention for corporate gifting and premium packaging. Bukit Timah and Tiong Bahru have smaller artisanal bakeries where you can buy limited-run flavours and sample before you commit.
Heartland kopitiams, neighborhood bakeries and supermarket chains carry popular local brands — handy when you need last-minute boxes. For halal or Muslim-friendly options, check bakery certification and look for brands that explicitly advertise halal mooncake ranges.
If you want nostalgia, head to long-standing names and independent bakeries in places like Katong and the east; if presentation matters, hotel mooncake sets from Orchard or Marina Bay properties give you that luxury unboxing moment.
- Shop early at bakeries in Tiong Bahru and Katong for artisanal small-batch flavours.
- For corporate gifting, request sample boxes from hotels in Orchard and the CBD.
- Check halal certification if you’re gifting across faiths.
- Local chains and polar/retail bakeries are convenient for bulk orders.
How to order, budget and store mooncakes (practical tips)
Pre-order windows usually open from July/August; peak demand runs through to mid-September. Popular flavours and limited editions can sell out early — if you’re buying for a big office or family reunion, place corporate orders 3–4 weeks in advance.
Budget-wise, expect a wide range: single bakery boxes can start at under S$10 per mooncake for basic baked types, while luxury hotel sets and artisanal limited editions can cost S$60–150+ per box. Consider mixing price points — pair an affordable tin for staff with a premium box for key clients.
Storage depends on type: baked mooncakes keep at room temperature for several days if unopened, while snowskin and durian require refrigeration or chilling; always follow the producer’s label.
- Preorder timeline: 3–4 weeks for bulk/corporate orders.
- Ask for sample tasting for large orders before committing.
- Check expiry and storage instructions: snowskin = chill, baked = cool/dry.
- Request customised corporate packaging early (logos, inserts).
Serving, pairing and small-hosting ideas
A mooncake is richer than it looks — when hosting, serve small slices paired with light teas: jasmine, oolong or pu-erh cut through the sweetness, while a chilled plum drink complements snowskin textures. For durian mooncakes, a robust oolong or kopi (for adventurous pairings) can stand up to the flavour.
Turn gifting into an experience: create mini ‘moon tea’ sets for visitors (tea sachet + small mooncake slice), or pack a mixed-tin with both traditional and snowskin to please different tastes. For office gifting, include a short note about flavour allergens and storage so recipients know what to expect.
- Pair baked lotus with jasmine or pu-erh tea.
- Serve snowskin chilled with light oolong.
- Label durian boxes clearly for the uninitiated.
- Slice into eighths for sharing at casual gatherings.
