Celebrating 80 Years of Authentic Cantonese Flavors and Thailand’s First Durian-Filled Mooncakes
For over 80 years, Gokjai Jao Lao, a Cantonese Chinese restaurant, has been delighting customers with its famous Gokjai Mooncakes. As a family-run business with deep Cantonese roots, the restaurant offers mooncakes that are so delicious that people return year after year for their annual treat.
Gokjai was also the first in Thailand to introduce the now-iconic durian-filled mooncake. Decades ago, they pioneered this flavor, which quickly became a favorite, especially among durian lovers. Today, durian mooncakes are a staple in many stores, but Gokjai remains the original.
Gokjai’s mooncakes are known for their thin crust and generously packed fillings—just like the hearty Cantonese dishes the restaurant serves. The recipe has stayed the same for over 80 years, and even their zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are made in a distinct Cantonese style, different from the more common Teochew variety.
This year, Gokjai continues to offer its popular mooncakes with a plant-based filling, a trend they began last year. They’ve also reduced sugar in their recipes, thanks to the efforts of Khun Mae, the current owner, who is passionate about sourcing healthier ingredients. So, even health-conscious customers can now enjoy mooncakes without the guilt.
Despite these new additions, traditional favorites remain bestsellers. You’ll find fillings like Monthong durian, black sesame, classic five-nut (Ngow Ying), plant-based five-nut, lotus seed, jujube, and less-sweet durian with walnuts. Newer offerings include green tea, lotus seed with walnuts, lotus seed with macadamia, and a special white bean single-yolk mooncake for vegans.
This year, Gokjai has also revamped its packaging. Their mooncakes now come in beautifully designed red and pink boxes with handles, reducing the need for extra bags. They also offer reusable tin boxes and a variety of premium gift sets, including:
- Prosperity Set: 8 large mooncakes with yolks (8 inches, 1 kg)
- Elegant Set: Limited edition, featuring durian, five-nut, and lotus seed flavors in a premium gift box (pre-orders recommended)
- Fortune Set: 8 pieces, 80g each
- Auspicious Blessings Set: 4 pieces, 170g each
- Healthy Duo Set: 4 pieces, 170g each
- Durian Chess Mooncakes: 8 pieces, 45g each
- Mixed Chess Mooncakes: 8 pieces, 45g each, with durian, black sesame, and lotus seed fillings
- Plain Chess Mooncakes: Mini mooncakes with no filling, perfect with hot tea
Prices for Gokjai’s large mooncakes start at 134 THB for single-yolk Monthong durian, 122 THB for five-nut with ham (no egg), 118 THB for lotus seed (no egg), and 145 THB for the plant-based white bean with single yolk, among others.
They also offer traditional Chinese cookies, kanom nah taek, made with vegetable oil or lard instead of butter, giving them a lightly crumbly texture and a fragrant aroma.
For those who love Chinese pastries, Gokjai also offers ma lai gou (steamed sponge cake), coconut pie, and salted egg yolk pastries.
A fan favorite is the original five-nut mooncake, filled with walnuts, Chinese almonds, cashews, watermelon seeds, and white sesame. The classic recipe includes candied winter melon and small chunks of Yunnan ham, along with the fragrant zest of Chinese orange peel and kaffir lime leaves. The vegan version replaces the ham with plant-based ingredients, while white bean paste adds a healthy twist. White beans help regulate blood sugar and improve carbohydrate metabolism, making them a great choice for health-conscious customers.
To celebrate their 80th anniversary, Gokjai is offering a special promotion: buy four mooncakes and receive a free mooncake as a thank-you gift. This offer is available on Facebook (FB: Gokjai) and LINE (@gokjai). For more information, call 02 437 7926, 02 437 6472, or visit www.gokjai.com.
Ticy City invites you to shop for Gokjai Mooncakes at leading department stores, including Siam Paragon, ICONSIAM, EmQuartier, Central Chidlom, Ladprao, Pinklao, Eastville, and Bangna.
You can also visit the Gokjai restaurant at its Charoen Rat location in Khlong San, opposite ICONSIAM. Take a left at the 7-11 at the first bus stop, or take the BTS Gold Line to Charoen Nakhon station, Exit 1.
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