Where to Buy Teochew Mooncakes in Singapore: Five Star Dim Sum’s Mid-Autumn Special

When Mid-Autumn Festival comes around, most people immediately think of baked mooncakes filled with lotus paste and salted egg yolks. Yet tucked away in a quiet corner of Sims Drive, Five Star Dim Sum is one of the rare few in Singapore still keeping the tradition of Teochew-style mooncakes alive.

Unlike the typical baked version, these mooncakes are wrapped in layers of delicate puff pastry and deep-fried to golden perfection, producing a crisp and flaky shell that crumbles at the lightest bite. They are more laborious to prepare, which explains why so few restaurants are willing to attempt them today.

“Teochew mooncake tastes good. When we handmade our Teochew mooncake, it is definitely better than using machine-made ones,” shared Ah Hong, the head chef at Five Star Dim Sum.

A Hidden Gem at Sims Drive

Five Star Dim Sum is no stranger to me, and it always strikes me as one of Singapore’s best-kept secrets. Hidden away on the seventh floor of an industrial building, it is the kind of place you only discover if someone tells you about it. Stepping out of the lift and into a bustling dim sum and zi char restaurant feels almost surreal. It reminds me of my grandpa’s restaurant days — unassuming spaces filled with the warmth of food and people. And during this Mid-Autumn season, the restaurant’s central kitchen turns into a hive of activity as Chef Ah Hong and his team prepare both Teochew and traditional baked mooncakes.

How Teochew Mooncakes Are Made

We were lucky to catch Chef Hong in action, working in a small air-conditioned room dedicated to pastry-making. He explained that the signature flaky crust comes from working with two types of dough. One is a simple “water dough” made with flour and water, while the other is an “oil dough” that uses flour combined with oil.

The process begins by wrapping the oil dough inside the water dough, then rolling, folding, and flattening them repeatedly. This layering creates the many fine striations you see once the pastry is fried. Slice through the prepared dough and you’ll notice circular rings inside — the very pattern that transforms into those delicate, crispy layers when baked.

Making Teochew mooncakes is no easy feat. The challenge lies in finding the perfect balance between the two doughs so they stay together without breaking apart. Every chef has his own ratio, a guarded “golden formula” that makes each bakery’s mooncakes unique.

Flavours at Five Star Dim Sum

The signature Teochew style crispy walnut taro paste mooncake has a smooth and earthy yam filling, sweetened just enough to be comforting without overwhelming the palate. For something a little more indulgent, the version with a single yolk introduces that familiar savoury-sweet contrast, with the salted egg’s grainy depth playing beautifully against the creamy taro paste.

But the one that wins hearts is undoubtedly the taro paste with lava egg custard. Bite into it and molten custard spills into the yam filling, creamy and indulgent without being cloying. For something different, the Japanese purple sweet potato paste with lava custard offers a lighter profile. The sweet potato filling is naturally sweet and pairs well with the molten custard, making it a gentler alternative to taro while still utterly satisfying.

For those who prefer smaller indulgences, Five Star also makes mini Teochew mooncakes that look like little golden moons, nine to a box, perfect for gifting.

And of course, traditionalists will be pleased with their range of baked mooncakes. There is the white lotus paste mooncake, the single yolk version, and the double yolk rendition for those who enjoy a richer, more savoury balance with their sweet lotus paste.

Final Thoughts

Five Star Dim Sum may be tucked away in an unlikely location, but perhaps that is what makes it so special. Their mooncakes are made with patience and a respect for tradition, offering a taste of nostalgia that feels increasingly rare today.

This Mid-Autumn, whether you are craving something different or simply yearning for the familiar taste of home, Five Star’s Teochew mooncakes are worth seeking out. Best of all, you can now enjoy 20% off all orders. Simply WhatsApp 8155 2004 to place your order and bring home a box of handmade joy. The availability of mooncakes may be limited, so be sure to order early!

This post is brought to you by Five Star Dim Sum.