In
anticipation of the coming Mid-Autumn Festival, Wan Li the Chinese Restaurant
at Renaissance Johor Baru is preparing a range of traditional handcrafted
mooncakes and trendy snow skin mooncakes to celebrate the season.
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| Chef De Partie, Lim Pei Shi, presents Wan Li mooncakes |
And in
the weeks prior to the festival, the Chinese have a tradition of presenting
each other with quality mooncakes as an expression of affection and auspicious
wishes.
While
we are familiar with the Spring Festival when families reunite to celebrate the
Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival is yet another reason for families to
gather for a grand feast and to savour mooncakes with sips of quality Chinese
tea.
This
tradition of eating mooncakes is often enjoyed in their own garden as the
children have fun exploring the moonlit darkness by the light of their
lanterns.
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| A platter of Wan Li mooncakes on display |
When
the family reunites and spends quality time together under the full moon, the
Chinese believe that this reunion reflects the beauty of family unity and joy.
With
mooncakes and lanterns that feature prominently in this festival, the
Mid-Autumn Festival is also often called the Mooncake Festival and the Lantern
Festival.
Led
by Chef De Partie, Lim Pei Shi, the pastry team at Wan Li Chinese Restaurant are
preparing traditional baked mooncakes and snow skin mooncakes filled with
various fresh, quality, natural ingredients and flavours, without
preservatives.
 |
| A choice of four baked mooncakes presented in a gift box |
I meet
Chef Pei Shi as she was introducing the range of mooncakes on display and made
a note of the new flavours offered this year when she pointed to the Orange
Truffle and Blueberry Truffle snow skin mooncakes.
These
new flavours join the popular snow skin mooncakes by Wan Li like Dark Chocolate
Crunchy Pearl, Coffee Truffle, Taro Paste Truffle, Green Tea Matcha Truffle,
Passion Fruit Truffle, Peppermint Chocolate Truffle, Strawberry Frizzy Truffle
and Lemon Paste Truffle.
And
for durian lovers, snow skin mooncake filled with Fresh Durian are also
available!
 |
| A live demonstration on how a salted egg yolk is packed into the pastry and mould |
Connoisseurs
of snow skin mooncakes that are served chilled, have learnt how to appreciate
the fragrant taste and smooth texture of each variety of these delicate pastel
coloured mooncakes.
Meanwhile,
traditional baked mooncakes remain an all-time favourite delicacy for fans of
mooncakes to nibble and savour with sips of Chinese tea.
The
square-shaped baked mooncakes stuffed with Assorted Fruits & Nuts reminded
me of my dad because it was his favourite but I prefer the taste of mooncake
filled with fine quality, Pure Lotus Paste with a sprinkle of toasted melon
seeds or kuaci.
It
was interesting to learn that – salted egg yolk – an ingredient that is round
in shape in the filling of baked mooncakes, represents the full moon.
More
importantly, its savoury-powdery taste is the perfect foil for the sweetness in
the recipe.
At
Wan Li, there are Lotus Paste and Green Tea Paste mooncakes packed with Single
or Double yolks.
 |
| My pick of baked mooncakes filled with Pure Lotus Paste |
Other
popular choices of traditional baked mooncakes are Red Bean and Jade Custard,
the jade green derived from the natural flavour of fragrant pandan
leaves.
These
quality mooncakes are a joy to receive and a pride to present in beautiful gift
boxes. All mooncakes are made fresh daily at Wan Li and are available from now
till October 1.
Wan
Li mooncakes presented within a gift box in a set of eight snow skin mooncakes
is priced at RM98 nett, in a set of four baked mooncakes is priced at RM98 and
snow skin mooncakes stuffed with Fresh Durian at RM168 nett in a box of eight.
 |
| Wan Li baked mooncakes filled with Red Bean Paste |
Enjoy
attractive promotional deals for the purchase of mooncakes in a single receipt:
15% discount for early-bird buys from now till August 31, 15% discount for
purchases above 25 boxes and 25% discount for purchases of above 100 boxes.
Club
Renaissance JB members are entitled to one complimentary box of mooncakes for
every purchase of eight boxes.
Standard
Chartered Bank card holders are also entitled to 15% discount on purchases.
Wan
Li Chinese Restaurant (Halal) is on the lobby level of Renaissance Johor Baru,
at No. 2 Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Baru, Johor.
For
advance orders, please call, Tel: +607 – 381 3388 or send email to:
henry.lee@renaissancehotels.com
Enquiries
and orders may also be sent by WhatsApp to Tel: +6018 – 7800787.
