Chinese New Year is the best time of the year to pig out, and being the year of the pig, we have all the more reason to do so. Snacking is a huge part of the celebrations and often we find ourselves emptying entire boxes of pineapple tarts, bak kwa, love letters and cookies faster than our arteries can handle.

Sure, these classic favourites hold a special place in our hearts but perhaps it is time to step away from tradition and go for something a little more unconventional this upcoming Chinese New Year.

We explored the streets of Chinatown and found a couple of oddities—some are creative, while some are just plain exotic. Feeling ballsy? Here are 6 unconventional snacks to get this CNY.

UNIQUELY FLAVOURED JELLIES

Roam the streets of Chinatown and you’d find several stalls selling these individually packed jellies—a great substitute for the usual sweets we often see lying around in baskets. Coming in unique flavours such as Cherry Blossom and Coffee, these treats will definitely be a hit among children and adults alike!

GREEN BEAN PASTE PASTRY

Lunar New Year Snacks should not just stop at pineapple tarts and almond cookies. The aforementioned snacks are definitely must-haves in a Chinese household during the festive period, but do also make it a point to try out other pastries such as Green Bean Paste Pastry! Some may shun the idea of it, but we’re sure that this might become a new-found favourite amongst many.

PEANUT PUFF

Also known as Kok Chai, peanut puffs are actually traditional Malaysian snacks that are essentially made with sweet ground peanut encased within a crisp, buttery shell. Shaped like mini curry puffs, these goodies symbolizes abundant wealth for the year ahead and are extremely popular in Malaysia. Try these out this coming New Year!

DURIAN KUEH LAPIS

Love the pungent smell of the King of Fruits and the buttery textures of the various layers of kueh lapis? Imagine the two combined! It may sound like just another a calorie-loaded snack, but this sinful yet decadent cake might just be worth it!

LOBSTER BAK KWA

Feeling like a king? Ditch the pork slices and opt for something more premium to treat both yourself and your guests. There are several stalls serving Lobster Bak Kwa, and while the slices bear a huge resemblance to the usual pork slices, the prices sure speak for the difference in ingredients. 500 grams of Lobster Bak Kwa can set you back by S$40.

EXOTIC FLAVOURED BAK KWA

Yes, our foodie nation is always bursting with creativity when it comes to food trends, but to come up with Crocodile Meat Bak Kwa and Coffee Fusion Meat Bak Kwa is truly #nextlevel.

For the adventurous who are constantly on a lookout for something unconventional to try (or to prank someone), these would be it. To say that these flavours are exotic is truly an understatement!

The Chinese Lunar New Year is an annual festival where many traditions culminate from exchanging of oranges to the receiving of red packets and more. Still, as far as the Chinese New Year goes, the iconic yu sheng toss remains at the helm of all things festive.

Yu Sheng, otherwise known as lo-hei or prosperity toss, is something that we’ve grown terribly fond of. A vibrant centrepiece dish comprising various elements, each boasting its own unique flavour and meaning behind it, the yu sheng is always the first order of business at any family gathering.

Yet, as we find ourselves going through the motion of this tradition year in year out, how many of us millennials can actually say that we truly understand this practice and its significance? To a season dedicated to good fortune, family reunion and feasting, here is our guide on lo hei, what it is and what it represents.

HOW THE MODERN INTERPRETATION CAME TO BE

Since its origins as a simple raw fish dish back in the 1930s, the recipe has undergone a series of transformations, and even until today, people are still finding innovative ways to present this dish. The dish was brought to Singapore in the late 19th century by the migration of Cantonese and Teochew migrants from China.

“Lo Hei”, in Cantonese literally translates to “tossing up good fortune”, and it refers to the ritual adopted in Singapore that involves a group of people gathered around a massive plate, tossing its contents violently while saying out auspicious phrases before eating it—it is popularly believed that the higher the toss, the better your prospects and fortune in the year ahead.

At the very beginning, the salad itself consisted merely of raw fish slices, some vegetables and seasoning to taste. It was only much later on in 1964, where a quartet of chefs—known affectionately as the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’—reinvented the dish and served it at the then, newly opened Lai Wah restaurant. The new salad saw an improvement in texture, colour, and flavour.

KEY INGREDIENTS & WHAT THEY REPRESENT

• Carrots – Represents good luck.
• Green Radish – Represents eternal youth.
• White Radish – Represents good job opportunities in the coming year.
• Raw Fish – symbolises abundance and prosperity.
• Pomelo – Represents luck.
• Crushed Peanuts – Is a sign that your home will be filled with many valuable possessions.
• Sesame Seeds – Represent the hope that your business will flourish.
• Golden Crackers – Symbolises wealth.
• Plum Sauce – A key component that binds the salad together, it represents stronger ties among family and friends.
• Pepper & Cinnamon Powder – signify the wish for wealth
• Oil – Often drizzled onto the salad in a circular motion rather than poured over. This is to symbolise that money will come from all directions.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Before the tossing begins, the dish needs to be prepared, usually by one individual who adds the ingredients one by one in a specific order, while the reciting wishes of luck and prosperity at the same time.

With the plate placed in the middle, friends and family members stand around the table to toss the ingredients whilst exchanging blessings and words of prosperity—although, more often than not, people tend to just shout them out.

9 INTEGRAL STEPS & WHAT TO SAY

Step: Yu Sheng platter is placed at the centre of the dining table.
What To Say: “Gong Xi Fa Cai” meaning, “Congratulations for your wealth”.

Step: Raw sliced fish is added.
What To Say: “Nian Nian You Yu” meaning, “Abundance throughout the year”.

Step: Pomelo or lime is added.
What To Say: “Da Ji Da Li” meaning, “good luck and great prosperity”.

Step: Spice sachets are sprinkled over.
What To Say: “Zhao Cai Jin Bao” meaning, “May you attract wealth and treasures”.

Step: Oil and plum sauce are poured over ingredients.
What To Say: “Yi Ben Wan Li” meaning “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital”

Step: Peanut crumbs are poured over.
What To Say: “Jin Yin Man Wu” meaning, “May your home be filled with lots of gold and silver.”

Step: Sesame seeds sprinkled over.
What To Say: “Sheng Yi Xing Long” meaning, “Wishing you prosperity for the business.”

Step: Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows are then added.
What To Say: “Man Di Huang Jin” literally translating to, “May the whole floor be filled with gold.”

Step: The toss commences.
What To Say: “Lo Hei” literally translating to tossing luck.

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/01/the-tradition-of-lo-hei/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/02/parkroyal-kitchener-road-cny-buffet/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/02/parkroyal-kitchener-road-cny-buffet/#comments Tue, 06 Feb 2018 07:30:16 +0000 ladyironchef http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=156199 Continue reading →]]>

Spice Brasserie at PARKROYAL On Kitchener Road celebrates the arrival of the Lunar New Year with an array of mouth-watering auspicious delights where you can expect Chinese New Year classics as well as Nyonya flavours all in one place.

Known for their crabs, Executive Chef Kelvin Chuah and his team have created an extensive line-up with a Peranakan twist that features the Lucky Fortune Set which will be served right at your table for dinner buffet on 15, 16 and 17 February 2018. This luxurious set includes Salmon Yu Sheng, Baked Sea Scallop With Mushroom Cheese, Braised Abalone with Duck Feet, Braised Sea Cucumber With Roasted Pork and Nanas Lemak Lobster as well as free flow soft drinks.

On top of the amazing spread, diners can also find Chinese New Year specials such as the Steamed Seabass Fillet with Nyonya Sauce, Stir-fried Seafood with Yam Basket, Steamed Lotus Rice with Yam and Chinese Sausages and Traditional Nian Gao with Peanut.

Simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations to enjoy 20% off Spice Brasserie’s mouth-watering lunch and dinner buffets.

You will be delighted to know that while most restaurants are unavailable during the Lunar New Year, Spice Brasserie will be operating as per normal.

SALMON YU SHENG

The kaleidoscope of colours in this Salmon Yu Sheng is a visual feast for diners. This traditional platter introduced an abundant amount of julienned carrots, radish, and cucumber drizzled with a sour plum sauce for a slightly tangy flavour and topped with thick slices of fresh Salmon.

Diners can toss your way to a prosperous new year before feasting on the extravagant buffet line-up at Spice Brasserie. Every table is entitled to a serving of Salmon Yu Sheng which is tailored to your party of family and friends.

BAKED SEA SCALLOP WITH MUSHROOM CHEESE

Served in scallop shells, these Baked Sea Scallops With Mushroom Cheese is the ultimate guilty pleasure.

Each scallop shell comes with a succulent scallop sprinkled with cheese and lightly torched before baking. As if it could not get any better, underneath each scallop lies a bed of fried vermicelli and mushrooms.

BRAISED ABALONE WITH DUCK FEET

During Chinese New Year, things are not the same without abalone on the menu. The Braised Abalone With Duck Feet features chewy abalone and duck feet on top of boiled xiao bai cai and covered in a thick braised sauce.

Without a doubt, most of us would give the duck feet a miss and head straight for the abalone. Do not be deceived by the unattractive claw for this Chinese delicacy is dripping with savoury braised sauce and the skin sports a hint of chewiness that will slide right of the bones.

BRAISED SEA CUCUMBER WITH ROASTED PORK

For the uninitiated, eating sea cucumber symbolises one looking forward to a better year ahead. On the first bite, you get an explosion of flavourful braised sauce from the gooey sea cucumber and the roasted pork boasted a slightly charred flavour. From the melt-in-your-mouth sea cucumber to the thick slices of roasted pork, this dish is a must-try.

NANAS LEMAK LOBSTER

An unusual dish to your traditional line-up of CNY delights, the Nanas Lemak Lobster adds a Peranakan twist where diners can tuck into Cuba lobsters cooked in light, slightly spicy sauce filled with aromatic spices. This dish was what we needed in between all the braised dishes to strike a nice balance of flavours.

STEAMED SEABASS FILLET WITH NYONYA SAUCE

If you are a fan of spicy food, the Steamed Seabass Fillet With Nyonya Sauce is the one for you. It may look mediocre, but the taste is phenomenal.

We loved this dish for its complex flavours and how the Nyonya sauce brings everything together. From the subtle sweetness of the Seabass to the appetising tamarind-based sauce, this dish was easily our favourite from the menu.

STIR-FRIED SEAFOOD WITH YAM BASKET

The yam basket derives its name from the Buddhist alms bowl which signifies an overflowing of fortune in Cantonese. Indeed, the Stir-Fried Seafood With Yam Basket at Spice Brasserie was overflowing with goodness.

You can expect the yam basket to be fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The added cashews gave a great crunch to the stir-fried seafood and we recommend eating everything together instead of separately as you can taste the wok hei from the seafood, nuttiness from the cashew and sweet flavour from the yam.

STEAMED LOTUS RICE WITH YAM AND CHINESE SAUSAGE

The classic Steamed Lotus Rice With Yam And Chinese Sausage needs no further introduction. Wrapped in a giant lotus leaf, the glutinous rice is brimming with Chinese delicacies such as shiitake mushrooms, yam, and Chinese sausages. Besides the different textures and flavours from the various ingredients, the rice is infused with the aromatic flavour of lotus leaf upon steaming the dish.

TRADITIONAL NIAN GAO WITH PEANUTS

Unlike your usual nian gao that comes plain or deep-fried in batter, this version resembles muah chee. Instead of slices or chunks, the nian gao is snipped into bite-sized pieces and coated with a generous amount of peanut shavings. We have to admit that this was quite an innovative spin on nian gao.

As if this incredible spread could not get any better, simply quote “ladyironchef” upon making your reservations to enjoy these mouth-watering Chinese New Year specials for 20% off at Spice Brasserie from 15 to 22 February 2018.

For dining reservations and enquiries, please call +65 6428 3160 or email spicebrasserie.prskt@parkroyalhotels.com.

Chinese New Year Buffet Lunch
18 to 22 February 2018
Adult S$58++, Child S$29++
16 and 17 February 2018
Adult S$68++, Child S$34++

Chinese New Year Buffet Dinner
18 to 22 February 2018
Adult S$68++, Child S$34++
16 and 17 February 2018
Adult S$88++, Child S$44++

Spice Brasserie
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3160
Daily: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

This post is brought to you by PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road.

Nothing is more important than a heartwarming reunion meal with your family and loved ones during Chinese New Year. This is the time of the year when we gather together with a grand reunion feast!

In celebration of the upcoming festive season, Millenia Walk is hosting a 10-course luncheon on 03 Feb 2018 and you can expect lots of festive vibes and a whole plethora of Chinese New Year goodies from the participating food and beverage establishments.

And we need to do one with our readers too! Yes, it is going to happen. Millenia Walk is inviting 10 Ladyironchef readers to take part in this reunion lunch. So join us on 03 Feb 2018 from 12pm to 3pm at the Great Hall as we toss to a prosperous year ahead with the yu sheng and indulge in festive specials such as Oyster & Hotate Katsu and Mazesoba Chasiu signature ramen together.

We will be picking 5 winners and everyone can bring along a +1, so read on to find out more about how you can win a spot at the table at the Millenia Walk Reunion Lunch with the Ladyironchef team!

Millenia Walk is once again hosting a Reunion Lunch featuring a tasting menu by the mall’s F&B establishments and there will be new F&B brands joining the Reunion Lunch for this year’s event. Here are some highlights at Millenia Walk’s 2018 Reunion Lunch.

Contemporary café Plentyfull is bringing Chinese New Year vibes to the table with their Plentyfull Blossom Yu Sheng with Yellowtail Hamachi. For the Chinese, yu sheng is an auspicious staple and the ‘lo hei’ action is a significant Chinese New Year tradition that has been ongoing for decades. Look forward to all the fun and mess as we toss to welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year together!

Tokyo Chopped Salad—the first chopped salad brand in Singapore—aims to impress with their unique Japanese-inspired dressings. All salads are chopped and they come with unique Japanese-inspired dressings which are all crafted by Teppei Yamashita, the chef and founder of Teppei Japanese restaurant and Michelin Bib Gourmand listed Man Man Unagi Restaurant.

Tantalise your taste buds with the Premium Beef Tataki Salad which is tossed with Shiitake Mushroom, Quinoa, Brown Rice and Romaine Lettuce.

Your lunch will continue with Saboten’s seasonal special of Oyster and Hotate Katsu which comprises two pieces of plump and juicy oysters from Hiroshima and two pieces of sweet succulent scallops that are imported from Hokkaido. These jewels from the ocean are first breaded and then deep fried to achieve that perfect golden crust on the outside.

Those who have a penchant for sashimi and seafood will delight themselves in Teppei Syokudo’s Kaisendon; there are six different types of fresh sashimi and seafood to feast on and it is finished off with the restaurant’s famous Teppei sauce. We don’t know about you but we can never say no to one of our all-time favourite Japanese donburi dishes!

On the other end of the taste spectrum, you also get to try Thai Affair’s full-flavoured grilled pork skewers. Named ‘Moo Ping’, the barbecued pork skewers are similar to what you will find on the streets of Bangkok. This popular Thai street food features thick pork slices that are threaded on a satay stick and grilled over charcoal fire.

Whether you are inclined towards a vegetarian lifestyle, love natural food, elemen offers a pleasant dining experience by serving wholesome food that is beneficial to your health without compromising the earth’s sustainability. During Millenia Walk Reunion Lunch, you can look forward to 5 Elements Soup and Charcoal Beancurd with Golden Oyster Mushroom.

Uma Uma is a casual izakaya restaurant and bar featuring Yakitori and Kushikatsu, with cocktails and drinks by Horse’s Mouth Bar and Hakata-styled Ramen from Uma Uma Ramen.They will be preparing Mazesoba Chasiu for the Reunion Lunch.

No meal is complete without some sweet treats and at Millenia Walk’s Reunion Lunch, you get TWO desserts! Diners get to enjoy traditional beancurd, grass jelly or ice jelly from Beano, which uses only non-genetically modified beans from Canada.

Fans of dark chocolate will no doubt have heard of The Dark Gallery and their iconic dark chocolate goodies. Just for this upcoming event, each guest is treated to a scoop of their newly launched 68% Ghana Single Origin Dark Chocolate Ice Cream. You are on your way to Chocolate Heaven.

During the Reunion Lunch, yo can also enjoy filter coffee from The Bean Shop by Cafebond.com. Using freshly roasted Cafebond Basic’s single origin coffee beans from Brazil, the folks from Cafebond.com will hand brew your coffee on the spot.

We will be picking 5 of you (and your plus ones) to join us for this Reunion Lunch at Millenia Walk. Take part in the contest on our Facebook page to win the chance to join us at Millenia Walk Reunion Lunch! See you at Millenia Walk on 03 Feb 2018!

Millenia Walk Reunion Lunch Event Details
Date: 03 Feb 2018
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Where: The Great Hall

Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039596
Nearest Station: Promenade

This post is brought to you by Millenia Walk.

When it comes to crab and seafood buffet, our minds naturally gravitate towards Chef Low and his team at Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road. Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s culturally-rich ethnic landscape, the chefs at Ginger never fail to impress us with their tantalising array of seafood offerings each time we visit.

This Lunar New Year, usher the Year of the Dog with Ginger’s value-for-money buffet that will feature Boston lobsters in its Prosperity Trio. That’s right, lobster fans will be thrilled to hear that this all-day-dining restaurant is introducing a new Prosperity Lo Hei that swaps out the traditional salmon slices with luscious chunks of Boston Lobsters.

Exclusively for the dinner buffet from 05 Feb to 02 Mar 2018, every table will enjoy one complimentary serving of the Prosperity Trio—customised to suit the number of your dinner guests. The Prosperity Trio, is a new and exciting creation by Ginger that essentially comprises lavish delights such as their Prosperity Lo Hei with Boston Lobsters, Braised Sea Treasures (Pen Cai) and Wok-Fried Lobsters in Superior Stock.

Also making their debut on the buffet line are the Golden Sea Bass with Sha Sha Sauce, Barbecued Pork Ribs in Capital Sauce and Baked River Prawns with Garlic Shoyu (available from 01 Feb to 02 Mar 2018).

Quote ‘ladyironchef x Ginger CNY’ to enjoy 25% off for both the lunch and dinner buffet. That means you only pay S$36++ per adult for the lunch buffet and S$58.50++ for the dinner buffet!

PROSPERITY LO HEI WITH BOSTON LOBSTERS

No Chinese New Year would be complete without a prosperity toss or Lo Hei. Seen at literally every reunion meal, this iconic salad dish of technicolour beauty symbolises starting the new year on a good note.

Traditionally, salmon slices are used but Ginger raises the bar this year with their Prosperity Lo Hei with Boston Lobsters that introduces luscious, plump lobster meat as well as a myriad of ingredients not commonly found in your typical yu sheng; think ingredients such as pomegranate, jellyfish, deep-fried and salmon skin.

Taking the idea of reunion dinners to a whole new level, each table will enjoy one complimentary serving of the Prosperity Trio during the dinner buffet that comprises this extravagant Lo Hei, as well as a serving of the Braised Sea Treasures and Wok-Fried Lobsters In Superior Stock—no minimum number of persons required!

BRAISED SEA TREASURES

Not many know about this, but back in the olden days, Pen Cai was a dish strictly meant for royalty—more specifically the emperor during the Song Dynasty. Now a mainstay in many Chinese restaurants, this braised treasure pot of goodness is something anyone can enjoy.

Boasting premium ingredients such as baby abalone, sea cucumber, fresh scallops, fish maw, dried oysters and wawa vegetables, Ginger’s Braised Sea Treasures is so luxurious, rich and will definitely impress everyone in the family.

WOK FRIED LOBSTERS IN SUPERIOR STOCK

The Wok Fried Lobsters in Superior Stock, (available only as part of the exclusive Prosperity Trio served during the dinner buffet), is a crustacean enthusiast’s dream come true. Fried with ginger and scallions, the plump lobsters achieve a clean and fragrant aroma that does not overpower the natural sweetness of the crustacean. Once fried to a golden shade, it is further intensified with a savoury stock.

Each piece of lobster that we had was tender and oozing with savoury flavours. On the outside, you get a mildly caramelised exterior with subtle hints of wok hei and on the inside, the flesh was still soft and sweet.

GOLDEN SEA BASS WITH SHA SHA SAUCE

Given the expertise of our friend, Executive Chef Low Hoe Kiat, in Asian cooking, Ginger will offer a wide variety of traditional delicacies to usher in the auspicious year. Debuting on the buffet line is the Golden Sea Bass with Sha Cha Sauce which is deep-fried whole.

The deep-fried fish boasts a crispy exterior and delicate meat that is brought to life with the addition of the savoury sha sha sauce—a traditional Teochew condiment comprising soybean oil, garlic, shallots, chilis, and dried shrimp.

BARBECUED PORK RIBS IN CAPITAL SAUCE

If there was any way to describe perfection in a bite, their Barbecued Pork Ribs in Capital Sauce would be it. Sticky, sweet and complete with a charred and smoky quality, this lean pork rib is hands down, a winner in our book.

BAKED RIVER PRAWNS WITH GARLIC SHOYU

One of the newer highlights of Ginger’s extensive buffet spread is Chef Low’s signature Baked River Prawns with Garlic Shoyu, a tantalising treat that boasts succulent textures in every bite. The garlic and shoyu combination play a profound role in this dish which complements the natural sweetness of the river prawns excellently.

BRAISED SEA CUCUMBER WITH TREASURES

Another new addition to the buffet line-up is the new Braised Sea Cucumber with Treasures that features sumptuous and chunky braised sea cucumber, pork belly and vegetables. Although we are not huge fans of sea cucumber, we must say that the ones here are braised beautifully.

Last but most certainly not least, is this stellar fried chicken dish that is bound to have you going back for seconds or even thirds. Lightly battered and fried whole, the chicken is insanely crispy with a flavour closely resembling that of our favourite Har Cheong Gai.

Don’t forget to quote ‘ladyironchef x Ginger CNY’ to enjoy 25% savings for both the dinner and lunch buffet. That means you only pay S$36++ per adult for the lunch buffet and S$58.50++ for the dinner buffet.

Terms and conditions:

**Offer is valid from 5 February to 2 March 2018.
**Offer is valid from Mondays to Sundays.
**Offer is not valid during Eve of and on Day of Public Holidays.
**Blackout dates on 15 February 2018, 16 February 2018 and 17 February 2018 apply.
**Prior reservation is highly recommended and subject to availability.
**Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions, offers or vouchers.
**Prices are subject to service charge and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
**Prosperity Trio is served exclusively during the dinner buffet.
**Prosperity Trio is customised to suit the number of guests per table and limited to one serving only.
**The hotel reserves the right to amend promotional details without prior notice.

Chinese New Year Lunch Buffet
5 February  to 2 March 2018
Mon to Fri: Adult S$48++, Child S$24++
15 February 2018 (Eve of CNY): Adult S$68++, Child S$34++
16 & 17 February 2018 (1st & 2nd day of CNY): Adult S$68++, Child S$34++

Chinese New Year Dinner Buffet
5 February  to 2 March 2018
Mon to Fri: Adult S$78++, Child S$39++
15 February 2018 (Eve of CNY): Adult S$98++, Child S$49++
16 & 17 February 2018 (1st & 2nd day of CNY): Adult S$78++, Child S$39++

Ginger
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Singapore 199591
For reservations: +65 6505 5710 or dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com
Daily: 6pm – 10.00pm
Nearest Stations: Bugis / Nicoll Highway

This post is brought to you by PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

One of the most highly anticipated festivals for the Chinese has to be the annual Chinese New Year. Based on the lunar calendar, the festival falls on the first day of the first month which is unlike the international New Year, and it differs every year.

Chinese New Year is the time when families get together, and for foreigners who make use of this holiday to travel back to their hometown for a family reunion. An important aspect of this festivity is also its traditions which have been kept for many generations.

If you have always been curious about the significance of spring cleaning and why are we told by our parents to stay up past midnight on the Eve of Chinese New Year, let us share with you 7 Chinese New Year Traditions And Their Significance.

Sorry to burst your bubble but everyone should know how much calories you are taking in every time you pop a pineapple tart into your mouth. Here’s a list of Calories in Popular Chinese New Year Snacks.

SPRING CLEANING

Before the Chinese New Year festivities begin, Chinese households usually make it a point to spring clean the entire house thoroughly. Besides making the house clean for guests to visit, it is also a way of “sweeping away bad luck”.

NEW YEAR’S EVE REUNION DINNER

Traditionally, reunion dinner falls on New Year’s Eve and it is considered to be one of the most important dinners for Chinese families. Family members who live apart after marriage make the most of this festival to spend time with their loved ones.

For families who are large in size, it can take weeks of planning as tables fill up fast at popular restaurants. Even those who are having their reunion dinner at home have to spare much effort in grocery shopping and preparation of the dishes.

Photo Credit: esteller

STAYING UP PAST MIDNIGHT

Parents usually urge their children to stay up until midnight after the reunion dinner to send away the old year and welcome the new. It is believed that the longer the children stay awake at night, the longer their parents will live in return.

FIREWORKS

While most people think that fireworks are just showstoppers for entertainment, there is actually meaning behind it. Fireworks were first introduced into the festival in China to drive away evil spirits.

It has been said that a mystical beast called Nian ate livestock on the eve of Chinese New Year. In order to chase it away, the people lit firecrackers in hopes that the machine gun-like sound from the firecrackers would scare it away.

EATING DUMPLINGS

Dumplings are a significance of good fortune and wealth as it resembles ingots, an ancient currency used by the Chinese during the old times. Hence, the more dumplings you eat, the more wealth you will accumulate for yourself!

Different stuffings in the dumplings have their own significance as well. The cabbage stuffing represents a well-off life for many years; having the mushroom stuffing supposedly increases your luck; beef stuffing is popular among stock investors as it symbolises strong economic growth and celery stuffing gives you wealth.

Photo Credit: China Tour

RED ENVELOPES

Red packets are a channel for sending good wishes and luck and it is given to bring happiness and blessing to those who are receiving it. It is considered rude to open your red packet in front of the giver.

CHINESE NEW YEAR SNACKS

Of course, Chinese New Year is not the same without its calories loaded snacks we all love and enjoy. Surely, you will find the same kind of snacks in almost all the households you visit and that is not of random occurrence.

Each snack has its own symbolic meaning which brings about well wishes for the upcoming year. If you are planning to host relatives and friends for this Chinese New Year, it is important to keep in mind the snacks you have to prepare!

Read more about the auspicious meaning behind Chinese New Year Goodies.

Is it your turn to host lunar dinner this Chinese New year or are you thinking of bringing an auspicious gift along when you go for your house visits? While we prep for all the upcoming parties, the common “problem” is—what should we cook/ buy?

Well, not everyone is made for the kitchen and we know how much hassle it is to whip up an entire dinner or even just a dish for pot-luck. This is when takeaways save us.

Enjoy a fuss-free lunar celebration with Chinese New Year takeaways from Grand Hyatt Singapore’s shop at mezza9 from now until 11 Feb 2017. Toss to a greater year with yu sheng takeaways (S$51.35 nett) and munch on a wide array of homemade cookies, tarts and other festive delights. These lunar goodies are so beautifully packaged, they would surely be befitting for all your house parties.

If you are looking to get the ultimate gift for Chinese New Year, you will never go wrong with Grand Hyatt Singapore’s premium 100 Blessings of Good Fortune (S$288 nett)—a 100-piece chocolate praline set that is now an icon of Grand Hyatt Singapore.

It is an elegant Chinese calligraphy set featuring a hundred Chinese word characters for fortune, with some of the writing styles dating as far back as the early Qing dynasty. This beautiful gift set comes with dark, milk and white Swiss chocolates encased with interesting flavours such as cognac, earl grey, mint, mocha, orange, and peanut butter.

From now until 11 Feb 201, you can also dine in at mezza9 and toss to prosperity and success with the ‘Double Happiness and Good Luck’ yu sheng (S$48++). We’ve had many yusheng variations in our lives, but the mezza9′s yusheng is one that we always go back to for its variety of sustainable fishes.

Indulgence doesn’t mean we need to compromise on our marine life, which is why mezza9′s yusheng comes with certified-sustainable Norwegian Atlantic Salmon and New Zealand yellowtail kingfish.

Shop at mezza9
Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Singapore 228211
Tel: +65 6416 7322
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post is brought to you by Grand Hyatt Singapore.

The annual celebration of Chinese New Year sees endless baked treats and other savoury delights being sold, served and consumed by Chinese communities in Singapore throughout the 15-day festive period.

Ever wondered why the exchange of Mandarin Oranges is so important, and why there would always be pineapple tarts in each home?

The repetition of Chinese New Year Goodies is no random occurrence, as each snack is essentially symbolic of a meaningful purpose. The next time someone in the family asks, “Why do we always have to eat xxx during Chinese New Year?”, you will find the answer(s) to him/her here in our beginner’s guide to the Auspicious Meaning Behind 8 Chinese New Year Goodies.

Read: Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Market 2016 – Here’s What To Expect.

#1 BAK KWA

Bak Kwa, for the uninitiated, is a barbecued pork jerky that is extremely popular amongst Chinese ethnic communities; especially so during Lunar New Year. The dialect name Bak Kwa when translated means dried meat. The barbecued pork jerky’s deep red colour is considered auspicious in Chinese tradition, symbolising good luck and believed to ward off negative energies.

#2 JIAO ZI DUMPLINGS

Back in the olden days, ancient Chinese civilians used an age-old currency called Yuan Bao that are inherently dumpling-shaped ingots in silver or gold. Today, the Jiao Zi Dumplings we eat bear an uncanny resemblance to Yuan Bao, hence symbolising wealth and profit. The tasty appetisers are also commonly eaten on birthdays and even during a casual meal.

#3 MANDARIN ORANGES

Mandarin Oranges are believed to bring prosperity thanks to its Cantonese pronunciation, which sounds similar to gold. It is part of Chinese New Year tradition to offer a pair of Mandarin Oranges to respected seniors and hosts during house visiting. Note that you can only give a pair, nothing more or less; two pairs is a ultimate taboo. This is because the total number of four sounds like the Chinese word for death.

#4 NIAN GAO CAKES

Nian Gao is a sticky rice cake and the direct translation of it literally means “year cake”. However, the word ‘gao’ also sounds like ‘high’ in Mandarin, hence the Chinese believes in eating these sweet steamed glutinous rice cake for it is symbolic of going to greater heights each year.

#5 PINEAPPLE TARTS

We seem to take the presence of Pineapple Tarts at every household during Chinese New Year for granted. But besides the obvious fact that it tastes heavenly, this buttery treat is well-loved for its Hokkien pronunciation “Ong Lai” – which actually means prosperity is arriving. Clearly, puns are the inspiration behind all these Chinese New Year goodies.

#6 POMELO FRUIT

The huge Asian citrus’ Cantonese name is similar to words related to prosperity and status, hence thought as a fruit that takes one on a prosperous journey. It is also symbolic of good health, fertility and family unity.

#7 TRAY OF TOGETHERNESS

A Tray Of Togetherness refers to the snack platter laid out at homes for visitors to munch on. It is usually a pentagon-shaped container with eight compartments – though many different forms are available too. The tray is filled with an assortment of sweets and savouries such as red melon seeds, bite-size candies or even preserved dry fruits.

Eight is believed to be an auspicious number among the Chinese and each snack symbolises a different meaning, i.e. red melon seeds represent happiness and longans are believed to bring one many sons.

#8 YU SHENG

Yu Sheng, otherwise known as Lo Hei, is an extremely popular Chinese New Year dish in Singapore. The raw fish salad is typically set up on a communal table and each ingredient constituting the yusheng is symbolic of their respective meaning(s). For example, the fish is seen as abundance aka wealth while shredded green radish represent eternal youth.

Read: Guide to Calories in 12 Popular Chinese New Year Goodies.