Chinese New Year is just around the corner and the festive cheer is in the air. While everyone is looking forward to the goodies, food, and catching up with family and friends, parents have a lot on their plate. We know that there are so many things to check off on your list as you prepare for Chinese New Year. If you’re scrambling for last-minute ideas, from booking a family-friendly reunion dinner place to shopping for new clothes, goodies and decoration, we feel you. That’s why we’ve put together a Chinese New Year complete guide so you can stress less and HUAT more while you ring in an ‘Ox’picious Chinese New Year!
Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner Restaurants
When it comes to kids and dining, you don’t want surprises or to go for the trial and error approach. You want to do your research and ensure that there are food palatable for the young ones, and that the chosen restaurant is suitable for children. First up on our guide for Chinese New Year, we have two kid friendly restaurants that are tried, tested and perfect for reunion dinner!
Spring Court (Chinatown)
It doesn’t get more festive and authentic than having your CNY reunion dinner in a restaurant right in the heart of Chinatown! Speaking of authenticity, Spring Court is one of Singapore’s oldest family-run heritage restaurant founded in 1929! You can choose from a wide selection of delectable Chinese New Year and Reunion Dinner set menus. These include signature dishes that both adults and children will love. Roasted chicken stuffed with minced prawns, traditional popiah, deep fried yam ring, stir fried hor fun with omelette and prawns – there’s really something for everyone, even the pickiest eater.
The venue is a 4-storey shophouse that has numerous VIP rooms so you can ensure that you have a private dining experience.
Spring Court is conveniently located next to Chinatown MRT and if you’re driving, all-day valet parking is also available. You can take a walk along Chinatown and let the kids enjoy the festive lighting and decorations within Chinatown as an added bonus! And if you are using a Citibank card, you can look forward to a $50 return eVoucher!
Address: 52- 56 Upper Cross St, Singapore 058348
Feng Shui Inn (Resorts World Sentosa)
If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, look no further. Immerse yourself in the luxury of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) while feasting on exceptional Cantonese cuisine. Usher in a year of abundance with the regal Chinese masterpieces offered at this fine-dining restaurant.
The dim sum and perfectly charred barbequed meat are highly recommended for the little ones while the more health conscious adults can opt for the restaurant’s famous nourishing double-boiled soups. You will also be spoilt for choice with the wide selection of fine Chinese tea that the restaurant boasts.
Good news! As part of the SingapoRediscovers campaign, you can now enjoy a 30% discount off reunion dining or festive takeaways at Feng Shui Inn so long as you make prior reservation online. Simply use the promo code: RWSMC30. Do note that terms and conditions apply.
Address: Resorts World Sentosa, 26 Sentosa Gateway, #B1M 125 to 127, via Crockfords Tower Level G2, Singapore 098139
Chinese New Year Decorations & Homeware
A big part of preparing for Chinese New Year is sprucing up the home with auspicious CNY decorations and getting into the whole festive vibes. The next recommendations on our Chinese New Year guide are where you can find a treasure trove of festive new year decorations!
SKP (Seow Kim Polythelene Co Pte Ltd)
SKP is truly your one-stop solution to all packaging and party needs at affordable prices. Founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1994, this has grown to become the largest supplier of disposable food packaging and party supplies in Singapore. They are also the perfect place to shop for Chinese New Year decorations and other paraphernalia at affordable prices!
With 48 outlets across the island, you’re bound to find one near you. We recommend visiting the outlets at Chinatown Complex to soak in the festive vibes this Chinese New Year! Kids will be kept occupied by the toys and craft items that SKP offers. In addition, you can also drop by the nearby retailers such as Kim Hock Sing to shop for kids clothes as well as toys while in Chinatown.
Address (3 outlets within Chinatown Complex):
- Sago Lane, #01-111 Blk 4, Singapore 050004
- Upper Cross St, #01-60 Blk 531, Singapore 050531
- Telok Ayer St, Masjid Al-Abrar, Singapore 068638
Chinatown Street Market
There’s no better way to soak in the festive vibes than being in Chinatown. There are over 200 shops selling just about everything from homeware, handicrafts, toys, crafts, trinkets to CNY decoration ornaments and calligraphy scrolls. You will find yourself surrounded by endless bargains and rare finds!
The best part about walking through Chinatown Street Market is that it’s a learning journey for the little ones. Adults may feel nostalgic as the place is adorned with lanterns and other landmarks that have stood the test of time. The vibrant festive CNY decorations on display are are sure to captivate both the young and old.
Don’t forget the street food and snacks at the designated Food Street on Smith Street! This stretch of eateries provides families a place to enjoy some well-loved Singaporean hawker food. Dishes here range from char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles in dark soya sauce) and orh luak (fried oyster omelette) to roast duck and South Indian curries. Some food options that kids can enjoy include satay and BBQ chicken wings. Visit Chinatown during off-peak periods such as weekday afternoons, to avoid the crowd.
Address: Pagoda St, Trengganu St, Sago Lane, Smith St and Temple Street in Chinatown.
Opens Mon-Sun, 9.30am to 8pm
Chinese New Year Goodies
If there’s one thing you absolutely must not leave out when preparing for Chinese New Year, it’s the goodies! Let’s face it – not all of us have the time and skill to make them so let’s just leave it to the experts. In the next part of our Chinese New Year guide we show you where you can get the best CNY goodies!
KELE
KELE has been selling handcrafted festive CNY goodies since 1983 and is famous for pineapple tarts, roll cakes, cookies, love letters, spring rolls and much more. The new tangerine pineapple balls are bound to be a hit with the kids!
One of the deals under the SingapoRediscovers campaign is that you can get 33% off 3 premium roll cakes that are made with premium Japanese flour and a generous filling of cream that kids will surely love! Purchase the voucher to enjoy this promotion, valid until the 30th June 2021.
For added convenience, you can also visit their online store to shop for your Chinese New Year goodies.
Address:
- Vivocity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #B2-K10, Singapore 098585
-
Chinatown, 2 Smith Street, Singapore 058917
Tong Heng
Tong Heng is a heritage confectionery store famous for their traditional green bean pastries, wife biscuits, egg tarts and more. For Chinese New Year, we recommend getting a tin of Golden Egg Cookies, Walnut Cookies and Almond Cookies. While you’re at the store, give your little ones some indulgence - Tong Heng’s egg tarts - a sweet treat that will leave them asking for more!
You can choose to visit their outlets at Chinatown and Jurong Point Mall or their online store.
Address:
- Chinatown, 285 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058833
- Jurong Point Mall, 1 Jurong West Central 2, #B1-10, Singapore 648886
Chinese New Year Clothes
For most parents, the best part about preparing for Chinese New Year is finding the perfect, matching CNY outfits with their kids. If you’re looking for something festive yet fit to wear for other occasions, up next in our Chinese New Year guide, we have the perfect suggestions for you.
Utopia Apparels
This is a local fashion brand that celebrates the Asian heritage with a modern twist. Utopia’s collection evokes a fresh sense of nostalgia and is bound to make your kids look stylish and smart in their new outfit! As a bespoke brand, every design is manufactured in limited numbers so you can be assured that it won’t look like a replica of what everyone else is wearing. There are matching options for mum and dad too!
Check out their online store for a wide range of unique CNY appropriate clothing!
Address:
- Main Office & Outlet, 47 Haji Lane, Singapore 189240
- East Outlet, Parkway Parade, #02-63, Singapore 449269
- Central Outlet, Chinatown Point, #02-51, Singapore 059413
In Good Company
This local fashion brand offers timeless wardrobe essentials and classic silhouettes that are made to last beyond seasonal trends. There’s something for everyone, including matching Chinese New Year outfits for parents and kids, under the ‘Mini Me’ section (for ages 3-8 and available only at Jewel Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands stores) so you can twin with your little ones! More importantly, the materials are comfortable, easy- to-maintain with fuss-free care.
Address:
- ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B1-06, Singapore 238801
- TANGS at Tangs Plaza, Level 2, 310 Orchard Road, Singapore 238864
- Jewel Changi Airport, 78 Airport Boulevard, #01-214/215/216, Singapore 819666
- The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-65, Singapore 018956
Our Second Nature
Their inspiration comes from the sum of all the things they like - slow walks in the park, the smell of fresh linen, a nostalgic song on the radio and pretty much all the small things that make life ours - our trademarks, our quirks, our second nature. Thus the name!
Our Second Nature is a local clothing brand that focuses on comfortable, everyday wear. They believe that clothes are personal and transformative and this is what their designs are about. You can shop for CNY outfits for everyone in the family and matching collections are available under the ‘Our Mini Nature’ collection.
Shop online or better yet, visit their store and sip on a cup of coffee while the kids enjoy sweet treats such as cakes and pastries!
Address: Holland Village, 43 Jalan Merah Saga, #01-66, Singapore 278115
There you go, mums and dads, your Chinese New Year complete guide to help you usher in the new year! You can also have an added peace of mind when out and about during the festive season, as more than 20,000 individual premises have been certified SG Clean. Also, you really don’t have to break your bank preparing for Chinese New Year. Visit the SingapoRediscovers website to find out the full list of deals and promotions that awaits you! We hope that you get everything that you need and have an ‘Ox’picious New Year!