Mid-Autumn Festival is just a couple of weeks away (Oct. 6 this year) so you know what that means: mooncakes galore!

This homecoming holiday is about gathering with loved ones to gaze at the full moon, light lanterns, and (you guessed it) enjoy mooncakes together. Not only are these pastries delicious, they're full of meaning. The round shape symbolizes the moon, completeness, unity, fulfillment, and perfection. To emphasize the roundness and stand for the phases of the moon, sometimes one or more salted duck egg yolks are wedged in.

As for where you can get mooncakes, you can get a variety in-store at Pearl River Mart Foods in Chelsea Market and a limited selection online at pearlriver.com.

In-store and local delivery

Hong Kong MX Gift Tins — For traditional mooncakes, consider gift tins from longtime mooncake purveyor Hong Kong MX. Available are a four-pack of white lotus seed paste mooncakes with two egg yolks ($66) or a two-pack with one white lotus seed paste mooncake with one egg yolk and one reduced sugar lotus seed paste mooncake with one egg yolk ($25).

Ăn Xôi Assorted 4-Pack — From Vietnamese food popup Ăn Xôi comes these bánh trung thu or mooncakes. Heavily influenced by Vietnamese cuisine and flavors, their assorted four-pack includes Chicken X.O., Apple Cinnamon, Strawberry Matcha, and Orange ($55). Watch us give them a try!

In-store and online

Available both in-store and online are two four-pack gift boxes ($70) from Kitsby, an NYC-based bakery.

All Star Mooncakes — Brings together Kitsby's most popular flavors: White Lotus and Salted Egg, Black Sesame, Black Tea and Salted Egg, and Green Tea and Azuki Beans.

Modern Teahouse — Inspired by their love for fine teas, Kitsby has created a brand new mooncake collection which beautifully blends fragrant teas into delicious mooncakes: Rose Lychee, Green Tea Lava, Osmanthus Longjing Tea, and Earl Grey.

For some extra fun, each set also includes:

• A blind box with a surprise bunny figurine — An integral part of of Mid-Autumn's folklore, the Jade Rabbit is said to live on the moon with Chang'E, the moon goddess
• A paper lantern — Another symbol of Mid-Autumn, lanterns are said to embody the moon, unity, and completeness
• One bag of loose leaf tea — The ultimate mooncake accompaniment

The Kitsby mooncakes are available now online and in-store at Pearl River Mart Foods.

Happy mooncake feasting!

[Lead image credit: Dan Ahn]