Are you looking forward to the upcoming Chinese New Year? And have your Mandarin Collar outfits and gifts ready for yourself and your loved ones. You’ll need some special and traditional Chinese New Year foods to round it out. But don’t be worried! Here are some places to buy Chinese New Year food and goodies you can enjoy at the last minute.
Looking for traditional and high-quality foods to eat after visiting places during the Singapore Chinese New Year’s Eve countdown? Here is the list of where to buy Chinese New Year food.
Top 5 places to buy new year foods and restaurants to try
1) Hotpot
Chinese-style hotpot in Singapore is called “steamboat,” which is very similar to the versions served in China.
A hotpot is a large pot of steaming broth in which each diner cooks his or her portion of the meal by dipping meats, fish, or vegetables into the broth. The soup/broth has various flavours, including chicken stock, seafood, beef, and Sichuan Mala (Spicy) Concoctions.
The dish is unsuitable for Singapore’s tropical climate. However, this is no longer an issue with the low cost of modern air conditioning. Aside from the spring festival, many Singaporean restaurants serve steamboats or hotpots all year. Some restaurants now offer individual sets for solo diners.
Where to buy: Paradise Group’s “Beauty in the Pot”
Celebrate the auspicious Year of the Dragon with an exclusive Abundance Set, followed by Beauty in The Pot. The set features Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng, a delectable assortment of steamboat favourites, and a complimentary electric pot for a delightful home dining experience.
Priced at $358 for 5 persons, revel in the comfort of your home with a choice of two broths – Beauty Collagen Broth, Spicy Nourishing Broth (Pork Bone Soup Base), or Vitamin C Tomato Sweet Corn Broth. Indulge in premium ingredients such as Ebiko Prawn Paste, Alaskan Crab Stick, and various types of meat, totalling more than 20 carefully curated elements.
Don’t miss the chance to preorder this limited edition set for collection between Jan 22 and Feb 25, 2024, and make your reunion steamboat gatherings effortlessly special. For Reunion Takeaway Hotpot Set collections, kindly contact the designated outlet three working days in advance and present the original voucher during pickup, as duplicates or photocopies will not be accepted.
Head Office: 107 Defu Lane 10, #05-01 Paradise Group IHQ Singapore 539224
Tel:+65 6487 6489
Business Hours: Mondays to Fridays 9am to 6pm
2) Longevity Noodles (寿面, Shou Mian)
Singaporean Chinese eat noodles on many festive occasions, not just during the spring festival season. This is due to the longish shape of noodles, which in Chinese culture represents long-term survival.
During the New Year, many Chinese restaurants serve special noodle dishes designed for large groups. Typically, such dishes will contain a large number of festive ingredients, such as la chang
Where to buy: Uncle Leong
Pickup Location: 1 Joo Koon Circle, #03-26, Fairprice Hub, 629117, Singapore
Pickup Time: 11:00 AM To 11:15 AM
3) Nian Gao: Growth
Growth is very important in the Chinese New Year celebrations. During the Lunar New Year, the familiar image of the Sweet Rice Cake, or Nian Gao, is a welcome sight. Nian Gao, which translates as “higher by the year,” represents progress and growth.
While some regions make savoury Nian Gao, the sweetened version is more popular in Singapore. Every Chinese New Year, chefs all over the city create their own versions of the treat using auspicious ingredients like tangerine, red bean, and black sugar.
Where to buy: Shangri-La Boutique
Image from Shangri-La Boutique
Image from Shangri-La Boutique
Delivery
Delivery service is available from 12 January to 24 February 2024. No delivery service between 9 and 12 February 2024. Complimentary delivery for orders of S$450 nett and above. For orders below S$450 nett, a delivery charge of S$19 nett per location is applicable. Please allow 3 working days for the processing of orders.
Collection
From 12 January to 18 February 2024, orders can be picked up at the Festive Counter located at the hotel’s lobby, between 10am and 8pm. From 19 to 24 February 2024, orders can be picked up at Shang Palace between 11am and 8pm.
Where else to try: The Fullerton Hotel, Park Royal Collection Marina Bay Singapore
4) Barbequed Seasoned Pork Jerky
Rou gan, or bwa kwa, is Singapore’s Chinese New Year tradition. Some Singaporean Chinese regard it as a must-purchase Chinese New Year festive goodie.
Originally square barbequed slices of seasoned pork with the texture and smoky flavour of jerky, rou gan is now made with chicken and various spicy variations.
What’s interesting, however, is that these addictive snacks are sold all year and heavily promoted as quintessential Singaporean travel souvenirs. Apart from an old Fujian practice of preserving meat for the New Year, they have no cultural connection to the spring festival.
Where to buy: Kim Tee
Image from Kim Tee
Their all-time bestseller, the Signature Bakkwa, is crafted with meticulous care. Utilizing minced pork from the shoulder cut, the artisans go the extra mile by meticulously removing excess fats before mincing, ensuring a lean and meaty composition. Despite eschewing meat tenderizers and maintaining low-fat content, the Signature Bakkwa stands out with its uniquely thin profile. Charcoal-cooked with precision in duration and temperature, it attains a delightfully tender texture suitable for all ages, from children to the elderly.
What sets their backs apart is the commitment to 100% handmade production, relying on fresh pork throughout the process. Furthermore, they take pride in the absence of preservatives, tenderizers, or artificial colourings, embodying a dedication to natural, quality ingredients.
(Flagship Store) Kim Tee @ Serangoon Garden
Location: 22 Maju Avenue, Singapore 556695
Phone: (+65) 6655 6665 / 9138 6665
Operation hour: Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm; Sun/PH: 10am-6pm
CNY Extended Hours
26 Jan – 8 Feb: 9am-9pm
9 Feb (CNY Eve): 9am-12noon, or till sold out, whichever earlier
CNY Closure: TBA
Kim Tee @ Old Airport Road
Location: 51 Old Airport Road (Old Airport Rd Food Centre), #01-112, Singapore 390051
Phone: (+65) 9028 4606 / 8661 5006
Kim Tee @ Toa Payoh
Location: 210 Toa Payoh Lorong 8, #01-69, Singapore 310210
Phone: (+65) 9738 8458 / 9815 8870
5) Chinese Zodiac Confectionery
These adorable snacks are also consumed or distributed without much symbolism. In other words, they are simply enjoyed because of their connection to the New Year.
If you’ve ever been to a Chinese New Year celebration, you’ll know that the Chinese zodiac plays a big role in the decorations and performances. The “incoming animal” is always given centre stage.
Confectionery shops in Singapore devote January to creating unique buns, cakes, and desserts based on the incoming zodiac animal.
Where to buy: Venchi
In honour of the auspicious Year of the Dragon, a limited-edition gift collection has been thoughtfully curated to bring joy to your loved ones. Within this collection, a beautifully crafted dragon representing good fortune patiently awaits the new year. Venchi’s delectable chocolates, a source of delight, accompany this symbol of prosperity. Vibrant motifs and floral patterns symbolize the onset of flourishing new beginnings. This collection is more than just chocolates; it encapsulates the spirit of sharing time, creating lasting memories, and welcoming the Year of the Dragon with joy, love, and a touch of chocolate sweetness.