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 Chinese New Year 2023...
You’ve got your cheongsams and Mandarin collar outfits sorted for the kids, you’ve done the red packet gift money, 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? Snacks! 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 last-minute Chinese New Year snacks and goodies right here in Singapore…
WHERE TO BUY CHINESE NEW YEAR SNACKS IN SINGAPORE
1. Ding Bakery
No Chinese New Year is complete without pineapple tarts – and we know just the best place to get them! Ding Bakery has some of the yummiest pineapple tarts in town, ranging from the traditional open-faced Nyonya version, to its ultra popular Melt-in-the-Mouth Pineapple Balls, and even unique flavours like matcha, pandan, salted egg – just to name a few. And for those with a penchant for the buttery pineapple tart pastry, you’ll be happy to know that Ding Bakery offers Pineapple Balls without filling too! Aside from these, you can also purchase classic Chinese New Year snacks like Hae Bee Hiam (sambal prawn crackers), Love Letters, and Melt-in-the-Mouth Kueh Bangkit from Ding Bakery. Best get ordering!
Where: Online
2. Da Paolo Gastronomia
Welcome the Year of the Rabbit with Da Paolo Gastronomia‘s White Rabbit Bread – a fluffy, marbled citrus-flavoured sourdough milk bread with a hint of carrot, coated in a candy glaze made from one of our fave childhood snack, White Rabbit candy. There’s also the tangy Cranberry Orange Butter Cake, as well as the locally-inspired Gula Melaka Butter Cake that’s topped with toasted coconut flakes. Green tea fans won’t want to miss its Matcha Amaretti (soft Italian almond cookies) too!
Where: Pre-order online; or purchase in stores islandwide
3. The Marmalade Pantry
This Chinese New Year, try out The Marmalade Pantry‘s new creation, the buttery and floral Osmanthus Cranberry Cookies. Fans will also not be disappointed as the bistro brings back classic favourites like Golden Pineapple Tarts, Sambal Shrimp Rolls, and Traditional Petite Chicken Bak Kwa. A big plus? The stylish reusable packaging that these yummies come in! Great for gifting too!
Where: Pre-order online and at restaurants islandwide
4. Goodwood Park Hotel
We cannot get over how cute the Bountiful Bunnies Nian Gao from Goodwood Park Hotel are! These sweet treats are made from sweet Chinese rice cake that are filled with black sesame, shaped to look like cute lil’ bunnies to commemorate the Year of the Rabbit. Besides this, the hotel is also introducing a decadent Mao Shan Wang Durian Kueh Lapis, Golden Pineapple Basque Tarts, and Lucky Fortune Orange cake that looks too good to be eaten!
Where: Pre-order online; or in-store at Goodwood Park Hotel; and Min Jiang @ Dempsey.
5. 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: Pre-order online and at Yàn in National Gallery Singapore
6. Janice Wong
From hand-painted Chocolate Koi Fish to delicious cookies, we can never resist goodies from homegrown pastry chef Janice Wong. Order familial favourite kueh bangkit, chocolate coated pineapple tarts, or go for the assorted cookie tin if you simply can’t decide. The distinguished chef also has limited edition Rabbit Chocolate Sculptures (loaded with chocolate-coated nuts) that are too cute to eat, but we’re sure the kids will gobble them up!
Where: Pre-order online, in stores islandwide, or via Grabmart.
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, you might just find yourself reaching for more. Kids will also love the playfully-shaped Banana Waffle Cookies. For a taste of something a little bit more local, try the D24 durian roll. Durian: definitely a love it or hate it situation.
Where: Pre-order online
8. 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
9. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
On top of the delicious Chinese New Year staples like kueh bangkit and its in-house bak kwa, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is dishing out sweet treats like their adorable Mandarin, Firecracker, and Jasmine Yuzu Brew desserts (that look exactly like the real deal), as well as the indulgent Fortune Treasure Bowl Cake. The latter is especially created with familiar Chinese New Year flavours, like dried longan, red dates, wolfberry, orange, and pineapple – just to name a few. There’s also the signature Lion Dance Eight Treasures Cookies and Yam Paste Nian Gao tarts too!
Where: Pre-order online, or in-store at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.
10. 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 Kumquat Oolong Mousse Cake 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. And if you’re a green tea fan – the Matcha Pastry with Red Bean Paste is perfect for snacking!
Where: Pre-order online and in-store at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.
11. Rempapa x Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery
Sourbombes (a mashup of sourdough and Italian Bomboloni) may not sound like a Chinese New Year snack, but we guarantee you’ll be asking for more of these during the festive period. Rempapa and Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery collaborated to present modern Bombolonis in heritage Eurasian flavours. There’s the sweet and savoury Pang Susi (minced meat bun), spicy Prawn Bostador (green chilli sambal prawns), and creamy Mango Pomelo. All these come together with four types of kueh from Rempapa as well in an A-bun-dance Box!
Where: Pre-order online
12. 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 Lychee Rose Pineapple Tarts, a flowery 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 171 Kampong Ampat, KA Foodlink #05-04, Singapore 368330; The Shoppes at Marina Bay, 2 Bayfront Avenue #01-72, Singapore 018972; or The Central @ Clarke Quay, 6 Eu Tong Sen St #01-48, Singapore 059817.
13. BreadTalk
Love bread? You’re in for a ‘hoppy’ time with BreadTalk‘s selection of seriously cute cookies and all-time favourite Chinese New Year snacks. Along with the traditional Mini Pineapple Pastry, BreadTalk also has treats like the fried carrot cake-inspired Hoppy Carrot, spicy Mala Pot, and cute Lucky Bunny bun. Not forgetting the equally adorable Prosperity Bunny cake, zesty Yuzu Roll, and perennial favourites like Yammy Treasures and Blissfully Prune. Our kids are always huge fans!
Where: Online and in stores islandwide
14. 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
15. Pan Pacific Singapore
As well as some truly delicious reunion feasts, Pan Pacific Singapore also has it covered when it comes to much-needed CNY snacks. Stock up on various kueh lapis, a variety of pineapple pastries, and almond cookies! We say the zodiac-themed macarons and Chinese New Year-themed pralines are a must-have too! We could go on…
Where: Online or in-store at 7 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039595
16. Shangri-La Singapore
You’ll never look at nian gao the same way again when you’ve tried the handmade ones from Shangri-La Singapore. The hotel serves the traditional new year cake in five different flavours, featuring the luxurious radish cake with dried scallop, dried shrimp, and preserved meat; and their popular three layers nian gao made from purple sweet potato, brown sugar, and coconut milk. Shangri-La Singapore has also put a twist on the ever popular Chinese New Year pineapple pastry, creating their very own charcoal yuzu-flavoured pineapple tart.
Where: Online and in-store at 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350
17. Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Spoil friends and family with Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel’s signature Golden Nian Gao Tarts, with popular flavours such as yam, purple sweet potato, as well as the new cempedak custard flavour! The hotel’s koi fish-shaped nian gao, mango pudding, and osmanthus water chestnut cake will also be making a return.
Where: Online and in-store at 320 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238865
18. Straits Bakery
This newly launched Peranakan Restaurant and Bakery is dishing out what’s probably the first ever Buah Keluak Cookies, made from the ‘black gold’ of Peranakan cuisine itself. How will it taste like? Think savoury and an almost truffle-like flavour. Definitely something that will wow your guests! If you’re into cakes, try out Straits Bakery‘s Sweet and Savoury Pound Cake collection, from the familiar Citrus Lemon flavours, to unique ones like Smoked Salmon and Broccoli, and even the Peranakan dessert-inspired Pisang Pengat flavour!
Where: Pre-order online
19. Ree and Mummy
We bet you can’t get over how cute Ree and Mummy‘s Mini Ong Lai Tart Pineapple Cheesecakes are! Sink your teeth into creamy cheesecake with sweet pineapple filling on top of a buttery base. We can’t think of a sweeter way to ring in the Year of the Rabbit.
Where: Pre-order online
20. Thye Moh Chan
You can expect to sample delicious traditional Teochew pastries from heritage brand Thye Moh Chan. The bakery is ringing in its 80th year with the return of its popular Bak Kwa Tau Sar Piah, festive Golden Joy pastries, all-time favourites like Love Letters, Walnut Cookies, and the Fortune Yam and Prosperity Pumpkin cakes. To top it all off, these treats come in pretty hampers for perfect Chinese New Year gifting!
Where: In stores at Jewel Changi, Chinatown Point, Paragon, and NEX.
21. Butter Bean
The Year of the Rabbit is off to a bright start with Butter Bean‘s lineup of festive cookies! Treat yourself and your friends to melt-in-the-mouth butter cookies, available in three flavours: the cheesy Pineapple Golden Cheese Tarts, rich Hazelnut Chocolate, and sweet Strawberry Crème Rose.
Where: In stores at Funan, VivoCity, and The Seletar Mall.
Happy CNY snacking, folks!
