Lunar New Year is not the only occasion for family reunions. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore has specially designed a 6-course Mid-Autumn Dinner Feast ($88 per person) that encompasses thoughtful elements inspired by Chinese folklores and traditions. (Let’s talk about mooncakes later…)
Shredded Chicken with Preserved Fruit in Honey Mustard Dressing
Kicking off the meal is the appetising starter – the Trio of Mid-Autumn Combination – that includes petite portions of Steamed Sea Prawn Roll with Capsicum and Mushroom, Shredded Chicken with Preserved Fruit in Honey Mustard Dressing, and Tea-smoked Bean Curd Carrot Roll.
The Steamed Sea Prawn Roll with Capsicum and Mushroom is served atop a “cloud” of puffy egg white, while the Shredded Chicken with Preserved Fruit in Honey Mustard Dressing in tones of yellow represent the “moon”. Elements on the plate are artfully arranged to illustrate the romantic Mid-Autumn Festival legend of Chang E flying to the moon.
Boiled Sea Grouper Soup with Black Fungus and Chinese Wine served with Steamed Quail Egg
Mid-Autumn Festival is highly associated with the moon (the moon is especially bright and round on this special day). The story continues in the soup course, with the quail egg representing the “moon” in this dish. Its round shape also symbolises reunion. While the soup brings celestial flavours to the palate, the sea grouper is cooked briefly to preserve its fresh succulent texture.
Fragrant Crispy Duck stuffed with Yam Paste
The Fragrant Crispy Duck stuffed with Yam Paste is my favourite course, and I’m not even a huge fan of duck meat. The conclusion is: anything crispy and fragrant with a tender or succulent element can never go wrong. Here you get a layer of succulent duck meat, smooth yam paste, and an outer delightfully crisp crust.
Stewed Whole Abalone with Dried Scallop and Homemade Edamame Bean Curd
While many would be thrilled with the abalone, what impresses me was the homemade bean curd infused with edamame. One can only imagine how tedious it is to make the bean curd. I would totally order it in bulk if I could!
Fragrant Wok-fried Five Grain Rice with Crab Meat
I was told that during the olden days, people used crabs as offerings to the god to pray for good harvest. Hence, crabmeat is not left out in this luxurious 6-course meal.
Classic Trio Desserts
Summing up the meal is a trio of desserts: shaved almond ice with osmanthus jelly, chilled rabbit-shaped egg white cake, and petit traditional oven-baked and snowskin mooncakes.
What I love about this dessert: the utterly mesmerising almond “ice cream”, the adorable rabbit-shaped thing made of egg white that was too cute to be eaten, and the tiny slice of the hotel’s popular The Fullerton Golden Custard Mini Mooncake ($69 for a box of 8).
Moving on to the irresistible selection of mooncakes: there is a significantly strong emphasis on quality rather than quantity. In short, consumers do not have a vast array of variety, but they are bound to be pleased with what’s in store.
Snowskin mooncakes come in two colours: off-white and pastel green. Don’t these colours remind you of jade? By no coincidence, these are the two iconic colours of Jade Restaurant. The two flavours are White Lotus Seed Paste with Single Yolk Snow Skin Mooncake (from $58 for a box of 4). and Pandan with Gula Melaka Snow Skin Mooncake (from $55 for a box of 4).
The Fullerton Snow Skin Treasures ($56/$69) packaging that fits 4 pieces mooncakes individually is simply gorgeous. For a grander affair, the hotel’s signature The Fullerton 15 Treasures Premium Gift Set ($189) features a large baked mooncake with eight egg yolks with white lotus seed paste, signifying the fullness of the moon at its peak on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Encircling the luxurious gift box are 14 miniature baked mooncakes in alternating shapes of a celestial hare, butterfly and citron fruit, symbolising vivacity, prosperity and bliss. Tell this to the ones you’re gifting to and they’ll be so pleased!
Mooncakes are available from 25 July to 8 September 2014 at The Fullerton Cake Boutique located at the lobby level of The Fullerton hotel. To order, call or email .
The 6-course Mid-Autumn Reunion Dinner Feast is available from 25 August to 8 September 2014, priced at $88 per person. For reservations, call or email .