SQ319

Mooncakes could be a separate thread altogether.

As taste is subjective, suggest you go down to the Takashimaya Mooncake Fair at Ngee Ann City. Come on an empty stomach, try everything and choose what you like most.

To relate this back to the main topic, the good durian mooncakes, imo, are Regent Hotel, Four Seasons (Durian, not the hotel), Home's Favourites. I don't particularly fancy Goodwood Park, though it's very popular. Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium has surprisingly good durian mooncakes, though they don't market it much.

(It's a huge image, so I left out the image tags)
http://www.takashimaya-sin.com/files...d%20Autumn.PNG

KACommuter

That's pricey. Probably Mountain Cat King rather than D24 as that's the most expensive variety.

But it's unlikely to be particularly great. All durian aficionados know that they're best when they drop off the tree after ripening. By definition, that sort of durian doesn't keep. Bit like the peaches and strawberries sold here - the look nice, but have been plucked to ripen in transit and taste nothing like fruit plucked ripe.

The best durians are the wild ones harvested by the aborigines in Malaysia and sold in small towns. They're small, typically with just 2 to 4 fruit. Second best are mountain durians from old trees, which are slightly bigger with 6-8 fruit. The flavour is concentrated like nothing on earth (probably equivalent to gas warfare levels for some of the OPs here). Can't buy them in Singapore.

gobluetwo

Just tried a durian mooncake, a box of which was given as a gift. It's really the aftertaste that gets me. The smell itself is definitely pungent, but not overwhelming. The taste is somewhat reminiscent of korean fermented soybean paste (doenjang), although a bit stronger and more pungent (imo). I wouldn't call it pleasant, although I could definitely see it being an acquired taste and understand why people like it. Flavor profile definitely does not mesh well with the western palate.

dewidewi

Mooncakes could definitely be in a separate thread.... mmmm... ^

Does the St. Regis or RC Millennia also feature those of the durian variety?

I'm kind of on the fence about durians, it really depends on what I'm in the mood for, or in what form I'm eating it.

Stinky Tofu on the other hand, would be a love for me!

SQ319

Mooncakes are seasonal... and Mid Autumn ended exactly 2 months ago incidentally... I hope the durian mooncake you tried was properly kept (usually frozen for snowskin durian) and had not gone bad.

SQ319

AFAIK, both RC and St Regis did not do durian mooncakes this year.

But then again, the flavours which the hotels/restaurants/shops do every year tend to change (except if it's a staple for the company, eg. Goodwood Park and their durian everything (puffs, cake, mousse, mooncake etc etc)).

You probably can't get any decent mooncakes now, so wait till next year August/September. The hotels/restaurants/shops are now preparing for CNY next year.

lcpteck

I'm so glad this thread has flourished. Wonder when will be the next time I eat durian. Haven't had some in a while (I think about a year).

BuildingMyBento

There's a durian specialty store in T3, closer to the Skytrain than check-in.

How abominable...

DJ Bitterbarn

Question for the experts:

I haven't updated our itinerary to the most recent version, but one of the new additions to it is a stop at Gim Moh (on the way back from the botanic gardens) specifically to try some Durian.... because Durian. And I guess January's the second season?

Anyone have any opinions about Ah Seng Durian (as I've seen some good stuff written)? Or, if we're only looking to try some, what's the best way to go about this? Is there the chance we could just get a prt of one, or would it be better to just find some at a supermarket and pay the higher prices?

Taiwaned

When we lived in Taiwan, all my schoolmates, workmates, friends all told my wife and I that when we start to enjoy eating Durian is when you are sure that you really fit it. We can consider ourselves "local".

We tried, many times. Fresh just of the tree, ice cream, milk shake, frozen (which was at least edible) cookie form, dried - you name the type, I tried it. Sometimes it just wouldn't even go down the throat. I would start gagging just getting a whiff of the stuff.

The creamy type looks a lot like puss coming out of a infected wound. And it leaves a taste in my mouth a lot like throw-up after you ate too much cotton candy.

It truly smells like my workout socks after a couple of weeks molting in my gym bag in 30 degree summer.

Put me in the hate camp.

jiejie

Yep, what Taiwaned said. I grew up in Thailand and couldn't go native with durian even then, despite not having a problem with crunchy-fried grasshoppers and the like. Adulthood has not changed my mind on durian.

jameschan2811

Now we have durian haters and durian lovers. Most of my friends are durian lovers and there are only a few durian haters.

lcpteck

Hmm, haven't had one in a while (couple of years). I think it's time to get some!

tentseller

Time for a SIN Durian DO?

lcpteck

^