OVER THE MOON CELEBRATION WITH HONG KONG MEI-XIN MOONCAKES

When it comes to mooncakes, Hong Kong Mei-Xin (HKMX) has been a forerunner in the business since 1987. Personally, I never realise how different the brand’s Mid-Autumn selection is until I sampled some HKMX mooncakes several years ago.

When it comes to the timeless mooncake with lotus paste filling, I daresay the White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncakes with 2 Egg Yolks (RM173 per box of 4) from HKMX is incomparable. Packed in a gold metal tin box embossed with the silhouette of Chang Er against a full moon, this particular set of HKMX Mooncakes has been my preferred choice when it comes to personal gifting during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The creamy-nuttiness of its lotus seed paste is more pronounced at first bite. Combined with the muted savouriness of salted egg yolks, a wedge of HKMX mooncake will invariably whet the appetite for a second helping.

Coming in a close second is HKMX Lava Egg Yolk with White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake (RM179 per box of 8 pcs). This year, HKMX has unveiled a new rectangular box in maroon with gilt etchings on the lid. Smaller in size but big in flavour, the mooncake’s molten egg yolk core gives this trad treat a novel albeit appealing factor.

 

Of course, most HKMX fans will undoubtedly clamour for its award-winning Lava Custard Mooncakes (RM179 per box of 8 pcs). Todate, no other brand can rival this signature speciality of HKMX. You have to taste one personally to understand its distinctiveness.  

 

 

Ever mindful of its health-conscious customers, HKMX also has Low (Reduced) Sugar White Lotus Seed Paste with Pine Nuts Mooncakes (RM182 per box of 6 pcs). The subtle sweetness melds with the nice nuttiness of pine nuts to ensure health buffs can have their mooncake and eat it too.

Hong Kong Mei-Xin mooncakes are sold at Jaya Grocer, Ben’s Independent Grocer, Isetan KLCC, Urban Fresh, and AEON outlets. For information, call Nguan Seng (1980) Sdn Bhd, hp no: 016-335 6884.

SAY 'CHEESE' AT CRAB FACTORY

Coffee, tom yum, goma (black sesame), matcha (green tea), charcoal, yuzu…inventive flavours come and go like wildfire in the F&B scene. Lately, salted egg yolk and cheese are all the rage as the public can't get enough of the savoury flavours.

Since we had friends and family who weren't clued in on the saucy trend, what better way to induct them than bringing them over to Crab Factory, literally letting them paint the town table red with the resto’s Happy Meals. Depending on the size of your dining party, the value for money package meal deals let you chow down on crabs and seafood starting with Crab Lover Shiok at RM149.70++ per set, enough to feed 2-3 persons.

 

This set consists of 2 pieces of XL Meat Crab, King White Prawns, Squid, Mussels, Hamaguri Clams, Corn, Broccoli, Fried Mantao and Shallot Rice with a choice of sauces: Signature Southern Bang, Jamba Jamba, Garlic Butter, Creamy Lemak or Salted Egg. Both the Southern Bang and Jamba Jamba come in different spicy levels: mild, medium or O’l Crab-Death Valley (add RM5).

We chose to go with the Crab Lover Party (RM299.50++ for 4-5 pax) which comprises 2 pieces of XL Meat Crabs, King White Prawns, Squid, Mini Lobsters, Hamaguri Clams, Freshwater Prawns, Mussels, Corn, Broccoli, Fried Mantao, Fried Chicken Wings and Shallot Rice with medium hot Southern Bang Sauce.

Just to satisfy our curiosity, we also asked for Crab Factory’s new Cheese Sauce (RM6.90++) to be poured onto the seafood. It proved to be a good choice as we discovered the rich creamy cheesy sauce was finger-licking divine with the feisty hot sauce.

We relished the second saucy option of Salted Egg Sauce with 1 piece of XXL King Crab with corn, potato and fried mantao (RM298++). Surprisingly, the salted egg yolk accent was kinda muted but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing since it won’t outshine the pricey crab. 

Try the Creamy Lemak Sauce if you prefer non-spicy sauces. It should appeal to local palates as the sauce is reminiscent of Malay-style 'masak lemak' minus the fiery hotness. Besides Meat Crabs (from RM123++ upwards), the resto has French Brown Crab (RM21++) too.

 

Other notable imported seafood worth sampling include Jumbo Japanese Sweet Prawns (500g, RM99++) and Mini Lobster (RM85++) with your choice of sauces and bag buddies, side dishes like Squid Tentacles, Chicken Wings, Waffles, Potato Wedges, etc.

For reservations at CRAB FACTORY SS2, call tel: 03-7865 5850. Address: 21, Jalan SS2/64, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Visit http://www.crabfactory.com.my for more info.

NEW OUTLET: CRAB FACTORY JB, Little Paris, Mount Austin, G14, Jalan Jaya Putra 1/1, Bandar Jaya Putra, Johor Bahru, Johor. Tel: 07-351 4062.