Pineapple tarts, traditional love letters, little squares of meaty delights and the cookies that melt in the mouth... We've been snacking our way around Singapore for the best 2024 Chinese New Year goodies!
You’ve got your cheongsams and Mandarin collar outfits sorted for the kids, you’ve put the red packets aside and booked a Chinese New Year reunion dinner, or ordered takeaways from your favourite restaurants. But you know what else you’re going to need? CNY goodies! Because even with all the other stuff ticked off, if you haven’t got the cupboards packed to breaking point with pineapple tarts and bak kwa, well, it’s not really Chinese New Year at all. So here’s where to get those Chinese New Year snacks and goodies right here in Singapore. The best part? You can even snag some delicious early bird discounts on your snack-licious orders! Hurrah!
Where to buy Chinese New Year snacks in Singapore
1. Mdm Ling Bakery
The popular cookies and snacks from Mdm Ling Bakery are back! From the top-selling premium Anchor butter cookies and molten chocolate cookies to the new Nostalgic Nyonya coconut cookies and hojicha butter cookies, this is definitely one of the go-to places to order Chinese New Year snacks. You can also pick any six cookie flavours and get them in a fun-sized bundle – because why choose only one when you can have more?
Where: Online
2. Pineapple Tarts Singapore
Are you a huge pineapple tart fan? Then you should definitely try the ones from Pineapple Tarts Singapore. Named after the popular Chinese New Year goodie itself, this bakery bakes some of the best ones in Singapore. This bakery doesn’t just use the freshest and choicest ingredients, but bakes its pineapple tarts as per order. This ensures that you taste the tarts at their best – freshly baked and as soon as they’ve been brought out of the oven! Whether you prefer the jam on top or within the pastry, Pineapple Tarts Singapore has both types. It also has unique flavours like mala, cheese, and charcoal truffle. Plus, this bakery doesn’t just produce pineapple tarts; it offers a variety of all-time favourites like kueh lapis, love letters, prawn rolls, and more.
Where: Pre-order online or in-store at 22 New Industrial Road, Primax, #03-15, Singapore 536208
3. Wang Lai Bakery
Wang Lai Bakery is no stranger to avid Chinatown goers. Established in 1968, this bakery has been producing popular Chinese New Year snacks using a family recipe passed down for four generations. Each snack uses only premium ingredients (mostly made from scratch) and is lovingly handcrafted. Despite that, Wang Lai Bakery is committed to keeping its snacks affordable so that more people can experience the joy of Chinese New Year. From the quintessential pineapple tarts to the nougat-like snow cubes, you’ll be spoilt for choice at this bakery. As the snacks are all handmade and require large amounts of effort, Wang Lai Bakery limits its orders every year to preserve its products’ quality. So be sure to place your order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment! Delivery is free for orders above $100.
Where: Pre-order online or in-store at 20 Sin Ming Lane, Midview City, #03-58, Singapore 573968
4. Aimer La Patisserie
Flowers are blooming at Aimer La Patisserie this Chinese New Year – edible ones, that is! Chef and owner Kristina Li has prepared a batch of handcrafted floral cookies collection to celebrate the spring season. There are five types of lovely floral cookies to spoil your guests (or yourself) with: rose-scented red bean paste, jasmine flower paste, red bean paste, black glutinous rice paste, and sweet potato paste. You can grab these in Aimer’s Spring Blooms collection, which also comes with some of its signature goodies: almond crisps, pineapple cakes, sablé Breton sun cakes, and pound cakes petit gâteaux.
Where: Online or in-store at Aperia Mall
5. Straits Bakery
The Peranakan restaurant and bakery has a fantastic lineup of snack-worthy cookies that definitely deserve a spot on your shopping list. Brace yourself for a range of exotic flavours – imagine chilli crab, fish head curry cookies, and nasi lemak cookies for those craving savoury bites. Craving something sweet? How about osmanthus & honey lemon, roselle, and more? But wait, there’s more excitement! They’re also introducing what might be the first-ever buah keluak cookies, crafted from the ‘black gold’ of Peranakan cuisine itself. Wondering about the taste? Picture something savoury with an almost truffle-like flavour. It’s definitely a treat that will impress your guests!
Where: Pre-order online
6. Ding Bakery
Ding Bakery’s award-winning bakes rank high on many CNY goodies lists, for good reason! They’ve got thousands of glowing reviews under their belt, all thanks to the premium taste and freshness of their snacks (everything’s baked right before delivery). Find everything from traditional pineapple tarts to quirky modern flavours – this year’s range includes new releases like premium tapioca chips, mackerel crackers, Matcha and Belgian Chocolate Cookies, and even ondeh-ondeh balls.
Where: Order online
7. SunnyHills
If you haven’t already tried these delectable little pineapple cakes from Taiwanese brand SunnyHills, you’re missing out. These crumbly pineapple cakes and apple cakes sweet treats are so tasty that you might just find yourself reaching for more. This time, the bakery is also bringing in Taiwan’s number one egg roll – HiWalk. Not only are these egg rolls thicker than traditional ones (more crunch!), but they’re also filled with a variety of flavours: peanut, black sesame, and even dark chocolate!
Where: Pre-order online or in-store at Takashimaya S.C. and Jewel Changi Airport
8. Da Paolo Gastronomia
Da Paolo Gastronomia welcomes the Year of the Dragon with delights that put an Italian touch on familiar Chinese New Year flavours. Nian gao croissant rolls are making a return, along with new snacks: bak kwa pineapple Dragon bread, mandarin tiramisu, mandarin meringue tart, and almond crisps tin. You definitely won’t want to miss the mandarin tiramisu, which puts a zesty twist on the modern trattoria’s famous tiramisu. We also love the slightly spicy dragon bread and refreshing mandarin meringue tart! The cherry on top? You receive free delivery for orders above $250. It’s recommended to place your orders at least two days in advance by 12 pm.
Where: Pre-order online or order in stores islandwide
9. 603 Tau Sar Piah
For the past 20 years, 603 Tau Sar Piah has been a household name known for its flaky mung bean paste pastry. You can expect the same luscious tau sar piahs this coming Chinese New Year, along with its rendition of chewy and hearty yam cake. Gifting is also made easier with its Lunar New Year gift box, which includes four goodies ranging from the classic pineapple balls to all-time favourite chocolate chip cookies. Last but not least, we’re sure everyone will love 603 Tau Sar Piah’s kueh lapis cake, available in prune and cranberry flavours.
Where: Pre-order online or in-store at 603 Balestier Road, Singapore 329904
10. The Marmalade Pantry
Usher in the new year with The Marmalade Pantry’s delightful offerings. The Signature Collection comes with classic festive flavours such as black sesame almond cookies, salted egg yolk almond cookies, walnut cookies, shallot cheese cookies and traditional petite chicken bak kwa. We love this lean meat offering in petite size, too, perfect for some guilt-free indulgence!
Where: Available now till 28 Feb 2024; Pre-order online. Self-collect orders from The Marmalade Pantry (Downtown Outlet), 100 Peck Seah St, #01-01 Oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore 079333
11. La Levain
Looking to go all out on cookies this Chinese New Year? Consider checking out La Levain’s irresistible selection of handcrafted cookies by Chef Wythe, finalist for Baker of the Year at the World Gourmet Awards. The greatest perk? These cookies are made using premium ingredients like South African macadamias and Sicilian pistachios. What makes them stand out even more are the incredible flavours available, including osmanthus pineapple balls and chocolate hazelnut praline cookies. They’re definitely worth indulging in!
Where: Available online and in-store, 23 Hamilton Road, Singapore 209193
12. AMI Patisserie
Chef Makoto Arami from AMI Patisserie has whipped up two amazing pastries symbolising luck and abundance for this year’s festivities. First, there’s the kumquat & kokuto pineapple pie, a flaky puff pastry filled with premium ingredients, including Okinawan kokuto black sugar and zesty Ehime kumquat segments for a citrusy kick. Then, there’s the Setoka orange tarte, blending Setoka orange zest and pulp with almond cream in a filo pastry. Both pastries are bursting with delicious flavours you don’t want to miss out on!
Where: Available online and 27 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228222; Kumquat & kokuto pineapple pie – available for pre-orders from 16 January 2024 onwards and self-collection from 23 to 25 January 2024; Setoka orange tarte – preorder from 28 January 2024 for collection from 1 February 2024
13. Yàn
For traditionalists, you can’t go wrong with Cantonese restaurant Yàn‘s offerings. On top of the must-have pineapple tarts, you can find sweet treats, including crispy caramelised walnuts and prosperity nian gao (sweet Chinese rice cake). Another great option for gifting (or for your own snacking) is the restaurant’s signature in-house XO spicy sauce, which goes well with almost every dish.
Where: Available from 29 January 2024 to 24 February 2024. Pre-order online and at Yàn in the National Gallery Singapore
14. Janice Wong
From hand-painted chocolate koi fish to delicious cookies, we can never resist goodies from homegrown pastry chef Janice Wong. Order familial favourites like pineapple balls and some chocolatey goodness like pecan orange chocolate koi fish, or go for the assorted cookie tin if you simply can’t decide. The options are endless! Happy snacking!
Where: Pre-order online, in stores islandwide
15. Bee Cheng Hiang
Home-grown favourite Bee Cheng Hiang is definitely one of the most popular choices for sweet little squares of meaty deliciousness and is practically a household name when it comes to bak kwa. No queues at stores this year with online ordering, yay!
Where: Online and in stores islandwide
16. Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Looking for something fancy? Check out Four Seasons Hotel Singapore’s range of Lunar New Year takeaway goodies! We love the dainty orh nee (yam paste) shortcake and the all-time favourite pineapple tarts. For those looking for some nostalgic taste, try the carrot cake with Chinese sausage or coconut nian gao.
Where: Self-collection and island-wide delivery till 8 February 2024; Pre-order online and in-store at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.
17. Old Seng Choong
For traditional bakes and cakes, pop into Old Seng Choong to purchase your festive Chinese New Year snacks. If you’re looking for something sweet, opt for the mandarin orange pineapple tarts, a fruity twist of the beloved Lunar New Year treat. All about savoury? There are options aplenty, especially the indulgent truffle bak kwa!
Where: Online and in-store at The Shoppes at Marina Bay, 2 Bayfront Avenue #01-72, Singapore 018972; or Paragon Shopping Centre, 290 Orchard Rd #B1-14, Singapore 238859; or Changi Airport Terminal 2 & 4 (Transit)
18. BreadTalk
Craving some bread delights? Get ready for a scrumptious adventure with BreadTalk’s array of seriously adorable cookies and beloved Chinese New Year snacks. This year, you and your little ones can dive into the delightful nian gao fortune pillow, a signature treat filled with a sticky mix of yam, pineapple, and rice cake. Yum! But wait, there’s more! BreadTalk is also serving up its ‘Soaring into a Year of Prosperity’ collection, showcasing cute golden dragon fish and lobster treasure buns. It’s a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds!
Where: Available at all BreadTalk outlets island-wide until 24 February 2024
19. Bengawan Solo
Bengawan Solo is known for its variety of traditional snacks, not only offered during Chinese New Year but all year round. Festive treats include classic pineapple tarts, through to love letters. Vegetarian options are available for selected cookies as well!
Where: Online and in stores islandwide
20. Pan Pacific Singapore
In addition to delightful reunion feasts, Pan Pacific Singapore has you covered for essential Chinese New Year snacks. Elevate your celebrations this year with Hai Tien Lo’s Prosperity Hamper, boasting an array of treats, including abundant chocolate pralines, caramel walnuts, sesame seeds, and delightful pineapple rounds for your snacking delight. Additionally, anticipate other festive delicacies such as premium-grade abalone, ginseng, and more!
Where: Available from 18 January to 24 February 2024 or pre-order now. Online or in-store at 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595
21. Ree and Mummy
Sink your teeth into creamy cheesecake with sweet pineapple filling on a buttery base. We can’t think of a sweeter way to ring in the Year of the Dragon. That’s not all; Ree and Mummy are offering a CNY Prosperity Box for this year’s festivities containing eight golden pieces of mini cheesecake; think of it as the pineapple tart but on steroids! Each aromatic cheesy morsel is utterly moreish.
Where: Pre-order online
22. Thye Moh Chan
Get ready to indulge in delectable traditional Teochew pastries from the esteemed heritage brand Thye Moh Chan. Celebrating its 81st year, the bakery is bringing back some of its signature treats – hooray! Picture a feast of snack-worthy delights, including bak kwa tau sar piah, crispy phoenix egg roll, mini ondeh-ondeh, mini pineapple pastry, nutty cashew nut cookie, and much more! Here’s to starting the festivities on a deliciously delightful note!
Where: In stores at Jewel Changi, Chinatown Point, Paragon, and NEX.
23. Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery
Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery might not be your first thought for restocking your snack stash, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover their delectable nibbles for this Chinese New Year. Think playful tarts and cookies like lychee oolong tea cookies, jade pandan pineapple tarts, and more. The options are irresistible—take your pick and treat yourself (and the fam)!
Where: Pre-order online
Happy CNY snacking, folks!
