We’ve just finished celebrating Christmas and the New Year, yet we are already stoked to start our annual preparations for the next big exciting thing: Chinese New Year! There are lots to do leading up to the Lunar New Year celebrations, and what better place to soak in the festivities as well as to get all your Chinese New Year necessities than at Chinatown’s annual CNY night market?

The colourful streets of Chinatown are lined with a variety of stalls that sells everything you’ll need for the New Year. From shops that sell an assortment of traditional and contemporary snacks, ornaments and decorative pieces to roadside stalls that sell interesting knick-knacks and trinkets, we can foresee ourselves spending a very long time here over the next few weeks!

CHINESE NEW YEAR GOODIES GALORE  

Undoubtedly, our favourite part of Chinese New Year has to be all those festive goodies! While some prefer to stick to tradition and sell the usual snacks such as love letters and bak kwa, while others choose to be more innovative by coming up with interesting new snacks that no one has ever seen or heard of before.

Many of the traditional snacks hold very auspicious meanings. For instance, peanuts symbolise vitality, longevity and riches while nian gao is usually eaten for prosperity and promotion. If you’re curious about the meaning of other Chinese New Year traditions, you can read all about them here. 

Chinatown is also the place to be at if you need to stock up on your favourite thematic cookies such as almond cookies and pineapple tarts. Look at all these colourful jars of snacks! Time to put all your diet plans on hold.

If you are a fan of dried meats like lup cheong, waxed duck, liver sausage and other cured delights, you’d be thrilled to know that there is a massive stall with walls that are lined with every kind of cured meat you could name.

GORGEOUS FESTIVE PLANTS 

If you are someone who appreciates exotic plants, you’ll be glad to know that you can find plenty of such plants in the market. Besides traditional favourites such as tangerine plants and pussy willows, feast your eyes on a wide range of other exotic plants that are only available during the Lunar New Year.

INTERESTING TRINKETS AND DECORATIVE ITEMS 

You can’t invite people over to your house for visitations if it isn’t decorated, can you? Fret not though, as the Chinatown market overflows with beautiful decorative items to jazz up your home.

Amidst all the pretty lights and decorations, this man caught our eye. In the middle of a crowded street, he was patiently painting the lively scene of the night market and it was simply mesmerising to watch him at work. It definitely isn’t something that you see every day!

MESMERISING CHINESE NEW YEAR DECORATIONS 

What is a trip to Chinatown without admiring the gorgeous new year decorations that have been painstakingly done up? When it comes to festive decorations, Singapore is known to go all out in terms of the extravagance and sheer size of their displays.

This year is no different and along New Bridge Road at the outskirts of the Chinatown district, you can expect to see a display of two adorable, giant pig lanterns that are surrounded by plenty of small piglet lanterns. It is definitely a sight to behold and makes for a great #OOTD spot for the gram!

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.

We usually do not think much when it comes to snacking during Chinese New Year. Granted, there is nothing wrong with pigging out on snacks on the first couple of days of the Chinese New Year. After all, what is CNY without these liberated joys, right?

But can we just tell you how these processed cookies and snacks contain a lot of sugar and other potentially harmful ingredients? 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.

This is a list of Calories in Popular Chinese New Year Snacks.

Summary:
#1 Bak Kwa – 179 calories per slice
#2 Cornflake Cookie – 82.8 calories per piece
#3 Green Pea Cookie – 53.33 calories per piece
#4 Kueh Bahulu -40 calories per piece
#5 Kueh Bangkit – 23 calories per piece
#6 Kueh Lapis – 157 calories per piece
#7 Love Letter – 112 calories per piece
#8 Mini Dried Shrimp Spring Roll – 22 calories per piece
#9 Nian Gao – 482 calories per serving
#10 Peanut & Almond Cookie – 72 calories per piece
#11 Pineapple Tart - 82 calories per piece
#12 Sugee  Cookie – 53 calories per piece

#1 BAK KWA

3 slices of Bak Kwa equates to 7 bowls of rice. We know how hard it is to resist these sweet pork jerky, but you should have no more than 1-2 regular slices in a day.

Average: 179 calories per slice

#2 CORNFLAKE COOKIE

These sweet treats are totally amazing to munch on, and we remember going crazy for these when we were kids. Unfortunately, all good things in life are fattening. We sure hate how these seemingly small and innocent cookies are so sinful.

Average: 82.8 calories per piece

#3 GREEN PEA COOKIE

You might think that green peas are healthy but since they are already processed and made into cookies, the calorie count for 3 small cookies is  a whopping 160. Lovely to much on indeed, but so very horribly bad for our waistline!

Average: 53.33 calories per piece

#4 KUEH BAHULU

This is a childhood favourite for many and it is something we must enjoy during the lunar festival. While no one is stopping you from treating yourselves to this Chinese New Year snack please note that it is not as innocent.

Average: 40 calories per piece

#5 KUEH BANGKIT

These melt-in-your-mouth coconut cookies are a definite crowd pleaser, and we love them too! Take no more than 5 in one day. Remember, you still have other Chinese New Year goodies to munch on too.

Average: 23 calories per piece

#6 KUEH LAPIS

We absolutely adore kueh lapis and it is something we have difficulties saying no to, but because of the amount of butter in it (that makes it so tasty), a slice of kueh lapis is a crazy 157 calories! Unfortunately, we love kueh lapis, but we do not enjoy running as much.

Average: 157 calories per piece

#7 LOVE LETTERS

Love letters are one of the most addictive Lunar New Year goodies; actually, any time of the year. It might interest you to know that  one love letter is 112 calories, making it a snack with one of the highest calorie counts.

Average: 112 calories per piece

#8 MINI DRIED SHRIMP SPRING ROLLS

These are really tiny and easy to forget how many you have already had. Always happens to us, so we feel you. But please read on to find out the calorie count per piece. Yes, it is very sickening.

Average: 22 calories per piece

#9 NIAN GAO

Nian Gao is a popular staple every Chinese New Year but the calorie count is too high a price to pay. We are definitely gonna cut a smaller slice for ourselves this year.

Average: 482 calories per serving

#10 PEANUT & ALMOND COOKIES

Peanut or almond – whatever the flavour, these can be very addictive. And each piece contains about 72 calories! You are welcome.

Average: 72 calories per piece

#11 PINEAPPLE TARTS

Our ultimate favourite, and sadly, the darnest thing to eat. We should be telling you to not eat more than 3 pieces, but we are finding it hard to practise what we preach ourselves.

Average: 82 calories per piece

#12 SUGEE COOKIES

Sugee cookies are the bomb! Another Chinese New Year snack that we love for the crunch and buttery taste, but the extra laps we have to jog for them… let’s just stick to 3 pieces.

Average: 53 calories per piece

*For our calorie calculations, we took an average from 5 different sources. It is important to note that our calculations are based on an average and will not be accurate for every single snack, as they all differ from each other, some more than others. Hence, our calculations provide you with the closest possible average to these popular Chinese New Year snacks, according to individual serving sizes and the most common way they are served.

Sources: My Fitness Pal, Fat Secret, Calorie Count, Calorie King, Spark People & USDA.

Illustrations for ladyironchef by Anna.

From a Lunar New Year high tea for a prosperous kick-start to the year, to the most luxurious reunion dinner with the best Chinese delicacies, as well as recommendations on yushengs that are worth looking out for this year, our guide to Chinese New Dinner 2014 has it all covered. We have included a list of restaurants that are perfect for your festive celebrations and indulgences with family and loved ones. There is no better way than to usher in the new year of the Horse with a pampering feast.

Man Fu Yuan

Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore is our to-go place when we need to host clients for a formal luncheon, or when we want to celebrate a happy occasion with our family. The emphasis at Man Fu Yuan has always been on classic and refined Cantonese cooking, and impeccable service that makes dining there such a pleasure.

This year, the Prosperous Yusheng (shown in the first picture) is arranged in the shape of a horse. This is one stunning yusheng that you will not want to miss for Lo Hei this Chinese New Year. And for the premium menus, you can enjoy your yusheng with a touch of resplendence in the form of rose-shaped sashimi slices.

The chefs have prepared an array of set menus that will please every palate. Anticipate tantalising dishes such as Stir-fried Lobster & Crab Roe, Double-boiled Superior Bird’s Nest, but the star of the menu this year is definitely the Double-boiled ‘Fu Zhou’ Buddha Jump Over The Wall. With delicacies like whole Mexican abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, dried scallops and deer tendon, all cooked over a strict control of high and low heat for 3 days, what is left is the essence of the very best, and this is the ultimate indulgence. Quite simply, we call this the best way to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

One thing that is also worth mentioning is that Man Fu Yuan has only one seating for Lunar New Year’s Eve. If you want to enjoy the reunion dinner without being rushed to finish your food, and don’t mind paying a slight premium, book a table here.

Photo credit: Intercontinental Singapore

Man Fu Yuan’s wide range of festive dishes from the take-home set menus is perfect for those who are having your reunion dinner at home. Besides the aforementioned Double-boiled Fu Zhou Buddha Jump Over the Wall (S$688+), Man Fu Yuan’s signature Deluxe Treasure Pot (S$398+/5pax) comes with 25 premium ingredients, and while you can find the standard items abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw and goose web, the star ingredient is Boston lobster.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 17 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Man Fu Yuan
80 Middle Road
2F Intercontinental Hotel
Tel: +65 6825 1062
Nearest Station: Bugis
To purchase online – www.facebook.com/ICSingapore

Photo credit: Resorts World Sentosa

Feng Shui Inn

It is the combination of exquisite and authentic fine Cantonese cuisine and an elegant and luxurious ambience that contribute to the overall dining experience at Feng Shui Inn, at Resorts World Sentosa.

Meticulously plated to form the shape of a horse, Feng Shui Inn’s Salmon & Mackeral Lo Hei served with Italy Balsamic Vinegar is a masterpiece, and a feast for the senses. It combines flavours and textures by mixing salmon cubes, crispy-skinned mackerel and silver fish, and the bonus addition that completes the brilliant masterpiece is the sweet strips of bak gwa!

Other noteworthy dishes are the Sauteed Grouper Fillet with fish roe and asparagus shoots that combines the freshness with a natural hint of sweetness from the fish, and the Braised Oyster with Conpoy that is served with braised bai ling mushrooms – just like how the Chinese love it. They are available as ala carte dishes, as well as part of a lavish 8-course menu (S$1,118++/6pax, S$1688++/10pax).

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 20 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Feng Shui Inn
8 Sentosa Gateway
Crockfords Tower Level G2
Resorts World Sentosa
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Forest

Over at Forest, look out for the Salmon Fruity Vegetable Yusheng (S$78++ for 2 to 4 pax) – filled with a variation of fruits like melon, pomelo chunks, strips of apple, seaweed, and carrot sticks, this dish is rich in colours and textures. Crispy silverfish, thinly sliced salmon, and a homemade yuzu honey lime dressing are added to jazz up the dish.

Forest has several set menus available for this Lunar New Year, starting from S$68++/pax for a 5-course lunch and S$178++/pax for a 6-course dinner. Dishes worth mentioning are the appetising and refreshing Vietnamese Roll with Lobster in X.O. Chili Sauce and topped with homemade sesame dressing, the rich and tender Stewed Pork Belly with Dried Scallop and Hairy melon, and the Japanese Fragrant Rice with XO sausage and pan-seared foie gras presented in steamed yellow pumpkin. As always, Forest promises an exhilarating palate experience.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 18 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Forest
8 Sentosa Gateway
Level 1 Equarius Hotel
Resorts World Sentosa
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Jade Restaurant

From the luxurious Braised Bird Nest’s with crab meat and roe in superior broth, to Sautéed Boston Lobster with a crazily addictive spicy cheese sauce, to the must-have Prosperity Seafood in Claypot – a pot of wonder filled with premium ingredients like abalone, fish maw, sea cucumber, and dried oysters – Chinese New Year dinner at The Fullerton Hotel’s Jade Restaurant is a feast fit for the royalty, and a splendid way to welcome the new year.

Another highlight is the Eight Happiness Gold Rush Salmon Yusheng (S$78/6pax, S$118 for 8/pax). What makes Jade’s Yusheng stand out is the choice of the healthier olive oil, a delightful and refreshing apple plum dressing, and chunks of luxurious champagne jelly with edible gold leaves. Toss to a great year with the yusheng which features Chef Leong’s beautiful calligraphic drawing of a horse.

To end your meal on a sweet note, indulge in their creative dessert options which includes nian gao tartlets, and rose-flavoured water chestnut cake.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 20 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Jade Restaurant
Ground Floor, Fullerton Hotel
1 Fullerton Square
Tel: +65 6877 8188
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

mezza9

mezza9 at Grand Hyatt Singapore is a chic concept restaurant which offers nine different dining experiences in one space.

mezza9′s Chinese New Year menu features several mouth-watering dishes. We love the Braised Spare Rib (S$48) that are so rich in flavour and accompanied with steamed buns so that we can savour every bit of the sauce. The Crispy Duck (S$38 for half, S$72 for whole) with yellow turmeric sauce is like a Chinese rendition of a duck confit, and equally satisfying.

For sharing, we recommend the Steamed New Zealand Snapper (S$88) that will complete your reunion dinner. And if you have a big family, go for the 6-course set dinner (S$118/pax, min of 6 pax), or the 8-course set dinner (S$168/pax, min of 8 pax).

In line with mezza9′s approach in providing sustainable seafood from independent eco labels, the restaurant presents its Double Happiness & Good Luck Yusheng with sustainable South Australian yellowtail kingfish and Irish organic atlantic salmon (S$48 for 2 pax, S$98 for 6 pax). No compromise on the tastes, and if any, the freshness had us longing for more.

The Chinese New Year promotion is available from 15 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Grand Hyatt Singapore
10 Scotts Road
Mezzanine Level
Tel: +65 6730 7188
Nearest Station: Orchard

Tian Fu Tea Room by Si Chuan Dou Hua

Tea lovers will love Tian Fu Tea Room by Si Chuan Dou Hua restaurant – a Chinese tea room concept that promotes the art of tea appreciation, and a sanctuary for all to indulge in the beautiful world of teas. This festive season, Tian Fu Tea Room presents the Reunion Imperial High Tea, a high tea to be enjoyed with your loved ones and business associates.

At S$32/pax, the high tea comes with a Prosperity Salmon Yusheng (customised accordingly to group size), two premium Chinese teas, eight dim sum and snacks – including Double-boiled Seafood Dumpling in Superior Soup, Camphor Tea Smoked Chicken, Steamed Abalone Dumpling with Wasabi Sauce, Steamed Fish Ball with Black Moss, Deep-fried Radish Puff, Fried Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf, Glutinous Rice Balls in Chinese Rice Wine, and Pan-fried New Year Cake with Glutinous Pearls.

It is such a stunning display of the best of Chinese goodies to say the least, and with this value-for-money tea set, spend a leisure afternoon at this elegant Chinese tea room over Lo-Hei this Chinese New Year.

The Chinese New Year Promotion is available from 30 Jan to 14 Feb 2014.

Tian Fu Tea Room
80 Raffles Place
#60-01 UOB Plaza 1
Tel: +65 6535 6006
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

PARKROYAL ON Beach Road
7500 Beach Road
Tel: +65 6505 5724
Nearest Station: Bugis

PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road
Tel: +65 6428 3170
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

What is Chinese New Year without poon choi, yusheng and all the tempting goodies and snacks? Every year, we source for the best options for our family reunion dinner and house parties. This year, usher in the year of the horse with Carlton Hotel Singapore’s prosperous take-home goodies.

Choose from a range of yusheng (S$58+ to S$118+) with delicacies including Hokkaido scallops, wolf herring, hamachi, abalone, and salmon. The Longevity poon choi (S$388+ for 6pax, S$628+ for 10 pax) is also a great party addition – a pot of goodness with premium ingredients like baby abalone, scallops, sea cucumber, roasted duck, live prawns, and dried oysters.

Pineapple tarts are everyone’s favourite Chinese New Year goodies, and you must get your hands on Carlton’s super addictive premium pineapple tarts ($25.80+). Baked to the perfect shade of golden brown, the tarts are generously filled with fresh pineapple paste.

Rather than the usual love letters and peanut cookies, why not go for the special new creations by Carlton? The cocoa pops cookies – made of chocolate rice cereals – and the pecan cinnamon cookies are equally addictive. The new water chestnut cake also serves as a great dessert this festive season.

Whether you are buying them as gifts for your corporate partners or family, the Chinese New Year goodies from Carlton are your best bets because you get premium tastes and elegance all packaged together.

Photos credit: Carlton Hotel Singapore

For those of you who prefer to save the hassle of cooking at home and to dine out for the annual reunion dinner, Cafe Mosaic’s Lunar New Year buffet comes with a mouth-watering spread of braised Chinese herbal beef brisket, braised fish maw with crabmeat soup, freshly shucked live oysters, Peking duck, suckling pig, roasted crispy pork belly and much more. There is also a complimentary platter of yusheng.

Cafe Mosaic’s Lunar New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet: S$98++/pax (30 Jan 2014, 6.30pm to 10.30pm). Lunar New Year Dinner Buffet: S$88++/pax (31 Jan & 1 Feb 2014).

Goodies: +65 6349 1292, or email restaurants@carltonhotel.sg
Café Mosaic: +65 6311 8195, or email cafe.mosaic@carltonhotel.sg

Visit www.facebook.com/CarltonHotelSG or www.carltonhotel.sg for more information.

This post is brought to you by Carlton Hotel Singapore.