Mooncakes are rich with meaning, tied to centuries of tradition, and play a central role in one of the biggest festivals celebrated across China, Vietnam, and other Asian communities. But if you’ve never tried one (or if you’ve bitten into one without knowing what to expect), they can seem a little mysterious.
That’s why we’ve put together this beginner’s guide on how to make mooncake. Whether you’re curious about their history, the different types of fillings, or how to properly enjoy them, this guide will give you the perfect introduction to mooncakes—and maybe even inspire you to try making them yourself.
1. What Are Mooncakes?
At their core, mooncakes are round pastries traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (usually September or October). The round shape symbolizes the moon and represents family unity and togetherness.
But mooncakes aren’t just dessert—they’re a cultural icon. Families exchange them as gifts, businesses present them to clients, and friends share them over tea. Each bite is meant to celebrate harmony, good fortune, and the joy of gathering with loved ones.
A typical mooncake has a thin, golden-brown pastry skin on the outside, filled with rich ingredients like lotus seed paste, red bean, or even salted egg yolks (which represent the full moon). While modern twists have added chocolate, ice cream, and matcha fillings, the core idea remains the same: mooncakes are about connection and tradition.
3. Types of Mooncakes
Not all mooncakes are the same—in fact, there are so many varieties that trying them can feel like a delicious adventure! Each region and culture has its own spin, from the filling inside to the pastry style outside. Here are some of the most popular ones you’ll come across:
Cantonese Mooncakes – Perhaps the most iconic style. They’re golden-brown with thin pastry and rich fillings like lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolks. These are the mooncakes you’ll often see beautifully stamped with floral or character designs.
Snow Skin Mooncakes – A modern favorite, especially in Hong Kong. Instead of being baked, they have a soft, chewy skin made with glutinous rice flour—almost like mochi! They come in fun flavors like mango, green tea, or even ice cream.
Teochew Mooncakes – Known for their flaky, layered pastry that looks like a puff pastry shell. They’re often filled with yam paste or taro, giving them a nutty sweetness.
Vietnamese Mooncakes (Bánh Trung Thu) – These come in two main styles: bánh nướng (baked with a rich, glossy skin) and bánh dẻo (soft and chewy with a rice flour skin). Fillings can include mung bean, coconut, and mixed nuts—sometimes even savory twists.
Exploring the different types is part of the fun, and it shows how this one tradition has evolved in creative ways across cultures.
4. How to Enjoy Mooncakes
Mooncakes aren’t just meant to be eaten quickly—they’re enjoyed in a special way that makes them part of the celebration. Here are a few tips to savor them like a pro:
Slice, Don’t Bite: Mooncakes are rich and dense, so they’re usually cut into small wedges and shared among family or friends. It’s a symbolic way to share blessings.
Pair with Tea: Because the fillings can be sweet (and sometimes a little heavy), mooncakes go beautifully with hot tea. Jasmine, oolong, or green tea are perfect companions that balance the flavors.
Enjoy Them Slowly: A mooncake isn’t just a snack—it’s an experience. People often enjoy them while sitting with loved ones under the full moon, chatting and appreciating the moment.
Try Different Flavors: If you’re new to mooncakes, don’t be afraid to sample different varieties. You may discover you prefer snow skin over baked, or fall in love with the salty-sweet combo of egg yolk and lotus paste.
Eating mooncakes is as much about connection as it is about taste. It’s about slowing down, appreciating the tradition, and sharing something special with the people around you.
5. How to Make Mooncakes at Home
One of the best ways to truly appreciate mooncakes is to try making them yourself. At first, it might seem a little intimidating—after all, they look so intricate and polished—but the process is actually fun and rewarding, especially if you enjoy baking or hands-on cooking.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how mooncakes are made:
Prepare the Filling – Common fillings include lotus seed paste, mung bean paste, or red bean paste. You can make these from scratch or buy ready-made versions to save time. For a festive touch, many people add a salted egg yolk in the center.
Make the Dough – Traditional baked mooncakes use a dough made with flour, golden syrup, and oil. For snow skin mooncakes, the “skin” is made with glutinous rice flour that creates that soft, chewy texture.
Assemble – The filling is wrapped in a thin layer of dough, then rolled into a ball. A mooncake mold is used to press it into its iconic round shape, complete with patterns or characters stamped on top.
Bake or Chill – Traditional baked mooncakes are brushed with egg wash for that shiny golden finish, then baked until fragrant. Snow skin mooncakes are kept chilled and enjoyed fresh.
Making mooncakes at home isn’t just about the end result—it’s about the joy of learning the craft, experimenting with flavors, and, most importantly, sharing them with others. Even if your first batch isn’t picture-perfect, the experience of creating something so meaningful is unforgettable. Plus, when you cut into your homemade mooncake and see that perfect cross-section, the sense of achievement is pretty sweet!
6. Where to Try and Learn More
If you’re curious but not ready to make mooncakes on your own, don’t worry—you don’t have to travel to Asia to enjoy authentic ones. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, bakeries and specialty shops in Melbourne and across Australia often stock freshly made mooncakes in both traditional and modern styles. It’s a great chance to sample different varieties before trying your hand at making them.
Even better, you can learn directly from experts. Cooking schools like Otao Kitchen offer special Mooncake Making Classes where you’ll get hands-on guidance, try different recipes, and even learn the cultural stories behind the tradition. It’s not just a class—it’s a festive, fun experience you can share with family, friends, or even colleagues looking for something unique.
Wrapping Up
Learning how to make mooncake is so much more than a sweet treat—they’re a beautiful tradition filled with meaning, history, and community spirit. Whether you’re enjoying them for the first time, exploring all the varieties, or rolling up your sleeves to make your own, mooncakes bring people together in a way that few foods can.
If you’re ready to go beyond just tasting and actually learn how to create these iconic pastries, join us at Otao Kitchen’s Mooncake Making Class in Melbourne. You’ll discover the secrets of shaping, filling, and decorating mooncakes, while also connecting with the festival’s rich cultural roots.
✨ Whether you’re a foodie, a baking enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique way to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, this class is the perfect way to start your mooncake journey.
