Mooncakes are often imprinted with intricate designs and Chinese characters, symbolizing reunion and prosperity. Traditionally, these pastries are filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, and salted duck egg yolks, offering a rich, dense texture. However, mooncakes come in a variety of styles, including Cantonese classics, Taiwanese versions filled with taro or pineapple, and Vietnamese bánh trung thu made with sweetened mung bean, coconut, or even durian. Southern California’s bakeries showcase a wide array of mooncakes. For those seeking a modern twist, you’ll find fillings like chocolate, ice cream, or snow skin-wrapped mooncakes, which appeal to younger generations and adventurous palates. Here are the best spots to find mooncakes in Los Angeles.
Aliya Lavaland
Location: 141 N. Atlantic Boulevard, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Aliya Lavaland brings a Thai-Chinese fusion twist to the classic mooncake. Known for their signature lava mooncakes, these pastries feature mung beans and a salted egg yolk center. Another standout is the taro lava mooncake made with coconut milk and taro. If you prefer a non-lava version, they offer flaky-crusted mini mooncakes, and during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they roll out tangerine-shaped mooncakes symbolizing good luck.
Anita Bakery
Location: 66 E. Montecito Avenue, Sierra Madre, CA 91024
Anita Bakery caters to the health-conscious with two styles of mooncakes: custard and lava custard, both made with salted egg yolks. These Cantonese-style mooncakes are perfect for those seeking a balanced sweet and salty flavor. Anita Chow’s mooncakes are made to order, ensuring fresh, delectable treats for the holiday.
The Buttery
Location: 9430 Warner Avenue, Suite D, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Vietnamese mooncakes at The Buttery in Fountain Valley stand out for their complexity. The filling is a unique blend of 20 ingredients, including lime leaves, smoked meats, lotus seeds, and a syrup aged for six months. With flavor options like bird’s nest, abalone, and roasted chicken mixed nuts, these savory mooncakes are sure to surprise and delight.
Dōmi
Location: 672 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Dōmi brings a contemporary take on the traditional dessert with their shortbread crust variations, offering flavors like black sesame, red bean, and jujube. Their moon cookies, a twist on traditional mooncakes with no filling, provide an equally festive and delicious option. Available for pickup in the Arts District or at local farmers markets, Dōmi’s treats are perfect for a modern celebration.
Domie’s Bakery
Location: 7609 Garvey Avenue, Rosemead, CA 91770
For those looking for variety, Domie’s Bakery is a mooncake haven, offering over 45 types of mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. With fillings ranging from traditional white lotus seeds and mixed nuts to taro paste and orange peel with red bean, Domie’s delivers an old-school Cantonese experience.
Kee Wah Bakery
Locations: Various locations throughout San Gabriel Valley
Kee Wah Bakery brings Hong Kong’s mooncake traditions to SoCal, offering classic fillings like mung bean and white lotus paste alongside contemporary flavors like green tea, chocolate, and caramel sea salt coffee custard. Their beautifully designed packaging, featuring pandas or emperors, makes Kee Wah mooncakes an ideal gift.
Kim Hung Bakery
Location: 959 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
A Chinatown staple, Kim Hung Bakery offers a wide range of mooncake styles, including Cantonese, Vietnamese, and the flaky-crusted Chiu Chow variety. Fillings range from lotus and winter melon to durian and mung bean, making this spot a go-to for traditionalists and adventurous eaters alike.
Lady M
Locations: Arcadia, Los Angeles, and Irvine
For a luxurious take on mooncakes, look no further than Lady M. Their limited-edition mooncakes are inspired by the bakery’s famous mille crepe cakes, featuring flavors like Earl Grey, passionfruit, and matcha-chocolate custard. The pastries come in beautifully designed gift sets complete with a lantern and Jade Rabbit projection.
Phoenix Bakery
Location: 969 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Known for its legendary strawberry cakes, Phoenix Bakery also excels in Cantonese-style mooncakes. Whether you prefer red bean, lotus paste, or egg yolks, this 86-year-old bakery has something for everyone. They even offer mini mooncakes for those who want a smaller, more portable treat.
Royal Bakery
Location: 8450 Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA 91770
Royal Bakery specializes in Vietnamese-style mooncakes, offering both baked and snow-skin varieties. These hearty treats feature fillings like mashed mung bean, taro, and mixed nuts, and are best enjoyed with a cup of hot tea.
Sunmerry
Locations: Various locations throughout Los Angeles
Taiwanese bakery Sunmerry presents a modern twist with its limited-edition mooncakes. Their flavor lineup includes chocolate, ube milk, milk tea, and mocha coffee from their lava series, as well as Cantonese options with red bean and salted egg yolk. Perfectly packaged, Sunmerry makes for a delightful gift or treat.
Sunny Dumplings
Locations: Rowland Heights, Walnut, and Lake Forest
Sunny Dumplings specializes in Shanghainese mooncakes, known for their golden, flaky crusts. Filled with savory pork, these mooncakes offer a flavorful alternative to the sweeter varieties commonly found. Perfect for those who enjoy a savory pastry, they are available at multiple locations across Southern California.