28
2011
Mooncake Secrets at West Lake Garden
It was a beautiful evening and I found myself at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa to dig into some mooncake secrets. The Mid-Autumn festival really comes early for me this year :P
The customary celebration of abundance and togetherness makes an annual comeback at Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa’s West Lake Garden Chinese Restaurant this Mid-Autumn Festival. This is the time when adults reflect so fondly to those nostalgic memories of comparing each other’s colourful paper lanterns, while the young contemporaries are kept amazed with the folk tale about the overthrow of the Mongolian rulers of China in the Yuan Dynasty that was facilitated by messages smuggled in mooncakes.
West Lake Garden is delighted in keeping with traditions; hence the story of their exquisite Shuang Wei mooncakes, reviving the tradition of sending secret messages. Comprising 10 flavours made from a recipe that is carefully-guarded, Shuang Wei mooncakes reflect an unspoken sense of pride and prestige as well as a strong bond and loyalty that exists between two parties.
Available from 12 July to 12 September 2011, Chinese Master Chef Chan Choo Kean and his culinary team are pleased to introduce an exciting series of Shuang Wei mooncakes.
If you are like me who stays away from indulging in mooncakes due to them being too sweet, fret not as all the mooncakes available from West Lake Garden are made with health in mind. They are low sugar and non of them have egg yolks in it :D
The mooncakes comprise of 6 golden baked and 4 snow skin. Let’s start off with the golden baked mooncakes.
The NEW Golden Baked Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Salted Dried Shrimp (RM23.00 per piece). This is cleverly done. Savoury yet subtly sweet, it goes down well through my Nyonya throat. This variety is literally in a class of its own. Certain to be a winner among those who enjoy a spicy kick, the sweetness and smooth texture of the lotus seed paste is cleverly partnered with that of the dried shrimp’s distinct taste which is subtly pungent.
Things sure are starting on the right note :D
Another NEW flavour making its debut this year is the Golden Baked Low Sugar White Lotus with Black Sesame and Custard Paste (RM23.00 per piece) I was fooled to think that this is of the Snow Skin variety as the skin is seriously smooth and not at all oily. Baked to golden perfection, the mooncake is a fine concoction of unique tastes, accentuated by the fragrance of black sesame that graciously complements the pleasantness of lotus seed and silky smooth custard.
The Golden Baked Low Sugar Jade Custard Paste (RM22.00 per piece) is simply amazing. I thought it’s just same ol’ same ol’ yet Chef Chan always has secrets under his sleeve. He creates low-in sugar mooncakes without compromising their delicate taste and traditional ingredients. One bite of it and out came burstful flavours and a very fragrant aroma of the pandan.
Yet another traditional variety, the Golden Baked Low Sugar White Lotus Paste (RM21.00 per piece) and the Golden Baked Low Sugar Red Bean Paste (RM20.00 per piece) remain the perennial favourites for the conventional-at-hearts.
For the health-conscious, the Golden Baked Assorted Organic Nuts (RM23.00 per piece) is a must-try. Filled with wholesome variety of nuts on the inside, it gives you the pleasure of slowly munching on your mooncake delivering a sure-sense of satisfaction in the end. I love the fact that it is not oily for normally this variety will give you the very heavy feeling after consuming it but this one did not :D
Now let’s move on to the Snow Skin mooncakes. MY favourite! :) I’m very excited to share with you THIS:
Snow Skin Chocolate Whisky Paste (RM23.00 per piece). This unique flavoured mooncake is definitely a winner! It will bedazzle modern tastebuds. The velvety texture of the exterior encircles the sweet caramel notes of the chocolate-whisky combination, to make it truly devouring. It definitely adds a touch of elegance having this for your mooncake party!
Next is the NEW Green Tea Snow Skin with Royal Milk Tea and Mocha Paste (RM21.00 per piece). It strikes a perfect balance between the clean and fragrant taste of green tea as well as milk tea, with a hint of mocha flavour. If you follow my blog, you’ll remember that I learnt to make mooncakes not too long ago? Well, this is the exact flavour that I did!
The NEW Low Sugar White Lotus and Red Date Paste (RM21.00 per piece). The original filling of white lotus seed paste is tasty, dense and sweet, pairing well with the subtle sweet aroma of red dates; leaving a lingering sweet sensation on your palate. It is easily Ethan’s favourite!
Ethan nom-nom-nomming away :D
Finally, the NEW Snow Skin Low Sugar Sesame with Pistachio Paste (RM23.00 per piece). A snow skin layer encloses the thick, tar-black puree of pure roasted black sesame; adding a nutty and delicate zing to the rich, superior taste
of pistachio.
If you think I’d burst my seams after all that, imagine this – we had all of the above AFTER having dinner! What was served for dinner you may ask? Let’s see…
Chilies? Lol… tsk tsk.
This is not to be eaten :P
Braised Scallop with Crab Meat in Sweet Corn Broth drizzled with Truffle Oil, perfect to warm up our tummies on that cold, lovely evening.
Crispy Ginger Steamed Cod Fish. Da Submerryn’s a fish lover and by that I meant I love EATING fish and cod fish is up there amongst my favourite!
Crispy Noodles with Tiger Prawn. Simply delicious. It’s interesting to break the crispy noodles and slowly allowing it to soak-in the gravy. Once soften it is full of flavour, it’s simply delightful!
West Lake Garden Chinese Restaurant
Lunch: Open daily 12.00pm – 2.30pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
10.00am – 2.30pm (Sundays & Public Holidays)
Dinner: 6.30pm to 10.30pm (Mondays to Sundays).
Pork-free.
For reservations, call (6-03) 7495 1888.
To place mooncake orders, please call West Lake Garden Chinese Restaurant at +6 03 7495 1421 or visit http://mooncakes.sunwayhotels.com
Priced between RM21+ to RM23+ per standard piece, the Shuang Wei mooncakes, made with less sugar, free of artificial colouring and preservatives, are available for take-away from 11.00am to 9.30pm daily at West Lake Garden Chinese Restaurant from 12 July to 12 September 2011.
Prices are subject to prevailing Government Tax (take-away only) plus 10% Service Charge (dine-in).
As a corporate gift, select from West Lake Garden’s Secret Treasures gift set or Timeless Classics gift set at a mere RM98 nett for four selected flavours of mooncakes respectively. For large quantity orders of 100 boxes and above, logo customisation on the mooncake box is allowed. Orders for corporate package must be placed from NOW until 12 August 2011.
I don't think I have ever seen or tasted so many mooncakes in my life all at one go! Thumbs up…XD!!
wonderful mooncakes you have there! XD
Wah! So nice the mooncakes but I don't think it's worth buying. Can sponsor me ah? LOL!!
You have my mailing address?
Yeah, you have mine too, right? hahahaa.. me and STP are hungry tummies!
The Snow skin range looks so tempting to me. And the dinner as well especially the cod fish.
now i feel like having mooncakes :P
so tempted to try.. ^_^
wow, not bad at all woh, got mooncake and got other dishes to savor, and not to mention a box of mooncake to be brought home?? haha.. hey, i always like to try all those innovative mooncake flavors, but then with dried shrimps?? hmmm, a bit hesitant lah..
Burp…I am full now having mentally savouring all the mooncakes here.
yess so many mooncakes post!! i havent had any mooncake yet. :(
The sambal moncake, surprisingly very good, love it!
my cousin have her wedding dinner over this restaurant lol . . .
low sugar and everything low . . . taste nice ar? :P
wah so many moon cakes to try. Personally I like the XO mixed nuts flavour.
Just taste 8 pieces of different flavours mooncake, then already became 1 whole mooncake …..first in my life at one go!
I loved the Snowskins!
Wow….those mooncakes were beautifully decorated o. :)