Category: Singapore Food Haven

Only Have 1 Day in Singapore? Here Are Some Must Visit Food Places – For All Budgets!

Everyone loves hosting friends from overseas in Singapore! Watching them marvel at how delicious hawker food is or how clean the streets are stirs up an unmistakable sense of patriotism. However, once in a while we face our worst nightmare – the friend who only has 1 day to spare.

Where should you bring him/her to eat? How much is him/her willing to spend? Worry no more, as we have compiled 4 different eating itineraries for any budget!

Low $ (Average spending per meal – Below SGD $10)

Breakfast at YA KUN; Local – Chinese
Indulge yourself with a treat in the local kopi (coffee) culture within the cozy atmosphere. With more than 50 stores island wide, make sure you lay your hands on its famous kaya butter toast set from SGD$4.90. If you fall in love with its kaya (coconut jam) flavor, you can also bring back these jars of homemade spread. 

Lunch at BOON TONG KEE; Local – Chinese

Known for their silky white sauce chicken rice, this well received chain serves this popular local dish from as low as SGD $5. If you become a fan for its delicious dipping sauce, you can purchase these in house sauces that they have used in their dishes.
www.boontongkee.com.sg

Dinner at SPIZE; Asian Fusion and Mediterranean

Serving both Eastern and Western cuisine food from evenings till wee hours in the morning, this vibrant restaurant chain is the perfect hang out especially for night owls. The must try dishes include assorted pratas, nasi lemak, maggie goreng, roti john and not forgetting milo dinosaur drink!

Mid $$ (Average spending per meal – Below SGD$30)

Breakfast at SONG FA; Chinese – Teochew

With its signature dish Bak Ku Teh “meat bone tea” from SGD $7, Song Fa promises their loyal patrons its tingling peppery aftertaste in their soup, accompanied with succulent and tender pork ribs. If you cannot get off the flavourful broth off your mind, simply bring home a box of 10 sachets of Song Fa spices at SGD$22.

Lunch at THE CURRY HUT; Asian – North Indian

Dinner at I’M KIM KOREAN BBQ; Korean barbecue

High $$$ (Average spending per meal – Below SGD$50)

Breakfast at WILD HONEY; International

Enjoy all day breakfast at anytime of the day at Wild Honey! Be it signature dishes like The English, Tunisian or European, or new modern favourites such as Norwegian or Aussie, you will fill that craving spot for sure. Be sure to make an advanced reservation at this popular joint!

Lunch at COFFEE LOUNGE; Chinese – Taiwanese

Dinner at JUMBO SEAFOOD; Local – Chinese

Super High $$$$$ (Average spending per meal – Above SGD$50)

Breakfast at YAN TING; Chinese – Cantonese

Located at The St. Regis Singapore, Yan Ting showcases the exquisite yet hearty Cantonese fine dining. Aside from Executive Chef Tony Wun’s signature creations on the a la carte menu, patrons can also enjoy the Weekend Dim Sum Brunch from SGD $53. This style of Cantonese cuisine prepares steamed or fried food that are traditionally served in streamer baskets or small plates. Due to its bite-sized portions, get to try a wide variety! Reservation required.

Lunch at NATIONAL KITCHEN BY VIOLET OON; Asian Fusion

Dinner at WILD ROCKET; Asian Fusion

10 Best Places in Singapore That Are Specifically For Coffee Lovers

For every Singaporean, there is perhaps one constant in our hectic lives – coffee. Gone are the days when a simple “kopi” would suffice. With so many cafes offering their finest brews and beans, it is often difficult to avoid the temptations. Hoping to jump on the bandwagon? Your prayers have been answered, because the team at Discover SG has compiled a list of the best places in Singapore that are made specifically for coffee lovers.

1) The Coffee Academics

Voted one of the best coffee shops in the world, The Coffee Academics’ first flagship store at Scotts Square stays true to its reputation. It houses some of the best and most premium coffee beans from around the world within its chic and pharaonic locale. Albeit on the pricier side, it’s worth every expense.

Location: Level 2, Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road, Singapore 228209

Opening Hours: Daily: 9.00am – 9.00pm

2) The Populus Coffee & Food Co.

Brought to you by the caffeinated minds of the now defunct Department of Caffeine, The Populus Café is an amalgamation of pretty latte art, expensive coffee equipment, and good looking serving staff (intentional?). Situated in one of the most popular café districts in Singapore, this is one place you definitely shouldn’t miss out during your café-hopping adventures.

Location: 146 Neil Road, Singapore 088875

Opening Hours: Mon & Wed: 9.00am – 7.00pm; Thu & Fri: 9.00am – 10.30pm; Sat: 9.30am – 10.30pm; Sun: 9.30am – 7.00pm; Closed on Tuesdays

3) The Assembly Ground

Fronted by the guys behind fashion label Benjamin Barker, you’re in for one hell of a stylish ride. The Assembly Ground’s predominant wooden interiors offers a cozy experience amidst the bustling crowd in town. Upon entering, coffee lovers are treated to a warm and welcoming ambience. The hanging bicycle fixtures are a nice touch too!

Location: 2 Handy Road, #01-21 The Cathay, 229233

Opening Hours: Daily: 11.00am – 10.00pm

4) Common Man Coffee Roasters

Boasting a “coffee counter” similar to a bar, Common Man Coffee Roasters is a chameleon among others. Known for constantly making tweaks to their menu to ensure novelty among its competitors, Common Man’s menu is definitely crafted out with lots of care. Although pricier than average, the coffee is exquisite.

Location: #01-00, 22 Martin Road, Singapore 239058

Opening Hours: Daily: 8.00am – 6.00pm

5) Chye Seng Huat Hardware Coffee

Chye Seng Huat Hardware, aka CSHH for short, is one of the hippest coffee places in Singapore. Don’t be fooled by the rather unusual name as CSHH is the successive establishment owned by Papa Palheta, specialists in the coffee roasting business. With an exterior resembling an old shophouse, this quaint coffee joint emanates a nostalgic and retro 70s vibe.

Location: 150 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207563

Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 9.00am – 7.00pm; Sat & Sun: 9.00am – 10.00pm; Closed on Mondays

6) Paddy Hills

Featuring really, really Instagram-worthy views, Paddy Hills has certainly caused a big ruckus for its aesthetically gorgeous renditions of coffee and food. The center of the café also lies a coffee counter similar to the one found in Common Man, but even critics would agree that Paddy Hills is easily the prettiest café in Singapore.

Location: 38 South Buona Vista Road, Singapore 118164

Opening Hours: Daily: 8.30am – 10.00pm

7) Dutch Colony Coffee Co.

Although there is another outlet situated at Upper East Coast, the ideal place for the most “feel” is located within the food paradise of PasarBella. Be wary, as this place gets overcrowded easily during the weekends unlike during the weekdays, when it is quiet and spacey with lots of natural light. Their coffee is widely regarded as intense and strong, so be prepared!

Location: #02-K67/68, PasarBella, The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994

Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 9.00am – 7.00pm; Fri & Sat: 9.00am – 9.00pm; Sun: 9.00am – 7.00pm

8) Forty Hands

Forty Hands burst onto the scene as one of the very first coffee establishments in Singapore. Among others, they were part of the coffee revolution. Breathing new life into the dormant specialty coffee industry, Forty Hands takes coffee to a whole new level, with every sip a sensory experience. Fun fact: Harry Grover, genius behind this coffee joint, is also one of the founding fathers of Common Man!

Location: #01-12, 78 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 163078

Opening Hours: Tue – Thu: 8.00am – 7.00pm; Fri & Sat: 8.00am – 10.00pm; Sun: 8.00am – 7.00pm; Closed on Mondays

9) Ronin

With its name meaning wandering samurais, it’s easy to forgive if you miss this little hidden gem. Despite being tucked away in a rather obscure location at Clarke Quay, Ronin is hugely trendy among coffee lovers. Unlike other cafes that are often glimmered with cheery vibes, Ronin takes no prisoners. With its dimmed lighting industrial-style decorations, Ronin is all serious in its passion for great coffee.

Location: 17 Hong Kong Street, Singapore 059660

Opening Hours: Daily: 8.00am – 8.00pm

10) Necessary Provisions

To end off the list, it is necessary (pun intended) to include Necessary Provisions. Essentially a coffee joint with limited food choices on their menu, it still manages to pull in quite a huge following. A haunt for students due to its convenient location near SIM and NP, Necessary Provisions is a must-visit for coffee lovers. Rumor has it, they were the first in Singapore to pioneer iced coffee cubes!

Location: Eng Kong Park, 21 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 598993

Opening Hours: Tue – Thu: 10.00am – 10.00pm; Fri & Sat: 10.00am – 12.00mn; Sun: 10.00am – 6.00pm; Closed on Mondays

Where are your favorite places to grab a cuppa?

These Are The Only 2 Places In Singapore To Get Your Salted Egg Yolk Croissants Right Now!

Move aside, liu sha baos – salted egg yolk croissants have landed, and people are going a little crazy over them. Think crisp and flaky outsides layered with soft, buttery insides that ooze molten, salted egg yolk custard when bitten into.

It’s a symphony for your taste buds: the light sweetness of the creamy egg yolk custard, and the buttery crispness of the croissant that kind of leaves you looking like you buried your mouth in a bowl of nachos cheese and flaky pastry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BA3hWBOp_hH/?tagged=flavourflings

You can thank Flavour Flings, a Halal-certified café in Hougang, for introducing these babies onto their menu. At $7.50 a pop, it seems a slightly steep price to pay – but if you’re a salted egg yolk addict, then why the heck not.

Demand has reached a point where the eatery dedicates most weeknights to baking salted egg yolk croissants, with each customer entitled to buying just two croissants at a time. But be quick – they’re only available for takeaway from 5:30pm onwards, excluding Tuesdays and Sundays, and typically sell out within the hour.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BAyg8nSqUbt/?tagged=flavourflings

Flavour Flings
Blk 121 Hougang Avenue 1, #01-1348

Opening Hours:
11am – 4pm, 5:30 – 9pm (Mon, and Wed – Fri)
9am – 4pm, 5:30 – 9pm (Sat)
Closed Tuesdays and Sundays

If Hougang is slightly out of reach for you, french pastry patisserie Antoinette’s take on the sweet-and-savoury snack might be more your thing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBOlRPRHsLG/?tagged=antoinette

Its custard is smooth and well-balanced – neither too rich nor sweet, and very much similar to the salted yolk centres you find in traditional mooncakes. You can get these at their Penhas Road outlet for $6.50 a piece, from 11am daily.

If you can stave off those salted egg yolk cravings, though, you could wait for these croissants to be introduced at its Mandarin Gallery and Sofitel outlets on February 10 at 1pm.

Antoinette
30 Penhas Road

Opening Hours:
11am – 10pm (Mon-Thu), 11am – 11pm (Fri)
10am – 11pm (Sat), 10am – 10pm (Sun)

https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/1947731765452516

(Featured image credits: Today Singapore)

Top 5 Steamboat & Hotpot Places That Rival Hai Di Lao

(Image credit: Groupon)

Does the 1 hour+++ wait at Hai Di Lao turn you off? After all, who has the time and patience to wait that long? Luckily, there are other equally great restaurants to satisfy your daily dose of steamboat and hotpot cravings. The team at Discover SG has scoured the land in search of the best alternative places to enjoy your favorite simmering stews and yummy ingredients.

1. Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant

As its namesake suggests, Imperial Treasure Steamboat Restaurant is imperial and amongst the best in Singapore. A critic’s choice for its quality ingredients, this classy establishment boasts a selection of 10 soups and 12 sauces to fulfill your hotpot fantasies. Although more expensive than other places, it is money well-spent for a truly memorable and grand experience.

Outlet & Opening Hours
ION Orchard 04-09
TripleOne Somerset 01-21

Daily: 11:00am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11:00pm

2. Manbok Chinatown Korean BBQ & Steamboat

With Korean BBQ restaurants flooding our little red dot, a restaurant will have to be unique to make a name for itself. In the spotlight is Manbok, a quaint restaurant that combines BBQ with steamboat, all at a reasonable price. The cosy interior and wafts of delicious food cooking only served to heighten the senses, making this an ideal choice for a great night of food.

Outlet & Opening Hours
279 New Bridge Road

Daily: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 11:00pm

3. Tsukada Nojo

Tsukada Nojo is a Japanese-style steamboat restaurant synonymous with its collagen soup, BIJIN NABE. The broth gets its delectable flavours from a Jidori chicken. (Jidori chicken refers to a type of mixed-breed vegetarian free-range chicken imported from Japan within 24 hours of slaughter) The result is a special broth that is not only nutritious (great for your skin and hair!), but also savoury and fragrant. In addition, you may also enjoy a sinful selection of Japanese dishes that are available ala carte.

Outlet & Opening Hours
Chinatown Point 02-37
Plaza Singapura 03-81
Westgate 03-04

Check website for opening hours

4. Huay Kwang Thai Kitchen

Nestled in fan-favourite Upper Thomson Road, Huay Kwang Thai Kitchen is a hidden Mookata gem. For the uninitiated, Mookata is a combination of hotpot and grill. Open until 2am on Friday & Saturday, this is a great place for supper with family and friends. This lovely Thai joint offers a simple yet appetising soup base (cabbage and pork bones) to satisfy your tastebuds.

Outlet & Opening Hours
224R Upper Thomson Road

Sunday to Thursday: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Friday to Saturday: 5:00pm – 2:00am

5. JPOT Hotpot

This steamboat franchise from JUMBO Group (famous for excellent seafood) has consistently garnered rave reviews for its good service and food. Reward your palates with eight delicious types of soup base, a smorgasbord of fresh ingredients, and to top it all off, a DIY station to mix and match your favourite sauces. A dining experience without the nitty-gritty, JPOT Hotpot is the next best thing.

Outlet & Opening Hours
VivoCity 01-53
Tampines 1 03-16
Parkway Parade B1-17

Check website for opening hours.

https://www.facebook.com/discover.sg.official/posts/1944531775772515

(Featured image credits: SG Food on Foot)

5 Romantic Halal Restaurants To Dine At This Valentine’s Day

The team at Discover SG understand that it can be challenging to find a nice restaurant that is halal-friendly for Valentine’s Day.  That’s why we have created this comprehensive list of dinner places that not only offer a romantic ambience, but also serve up delicious Halal food!

1. 21 on Rajah

Take your date out for an ‘Arabian Night’ dinner buffet this Valentine’s Day. This dinner feast will comprise of signature dishes such as the Roasted US Prime Ribeye Beef, Sweet Pacific Clams and Tiger Prawns. You can also indulge in heartier dishes such as Braised Lamb Shank with Parsnip and Beetroot. Some of the dishes will be freshly served at the carving station.

On top of the gastronomic delight, couples can round up their Valentine’s Day by penning down their feelings on love notes and taking pictures at a special photo booth.

Damage: $39++ per adult (brunch), $43++ per adult (dinner)

21 on Rajah
Zhongshan Park, 1 Jalan Rajah
+65 6808 6847

2. Fika Swedish Café & Bistro

One of the more popular Halal cafés in Singapore, Fika is inspired by northern European décor serving authentic Swedish cuisine. It is owned and operated by Muslims, and is a Halal certified restaurant. Couples can enjoy a special set meal- a delicious smoked salmon salad for starters, juicy tender chicken for the main course, and a sponge cake for dessert. The best part is that this special offer is available for four days, from 11 to 14 Feb.

Damage: #$69++ for 2 (set course)

Fika Swedish Café & Bistro
257 Beach Road
+65 6396 9096

#01-20 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard
+65 6336 7234

#02-K3 OneKM, 11 Tanjong Katong Road
+65 6702 2456

3. Straits Kitchen

Straits Kitchen is offering a sumptuous buffet spread for couples to indulge in. The spread offers the best of local cuisine in a contemporary setting. The spread will be available for both brunch and dinner on February 14. Best part? Eat all your heart’s out!

Damage: $52++ per adult (lunch), $62++ per adult (dinner)

Straits Kitchen
Grand Hyatt, 10 Scotts Road
+65 6738 1234

4. J’s Restaurant

J’s Restaurant serves authentic Latin American cuisine- from Fajitas to Burritos, and Quesadillas. Their menu was recently re-designed to incorporate Modern European dishes. The semi-fine dining ambience and the variety of dishes will make a perfect setting for couples this Valentine’s Day.

Damage: à la carte

J’s Restaurant
#01-01 7 Purvis St
+65 6887 4787

5. Sofra Turkish Café and Restaurant

Tucked away in a quiet corner, Sofra (Turkish for dining table) serves authentic Turkish cuisine. This restaurant is a great place if you want a different dining experience. Their Adana kebab (Middle Eastern dish of minced meat) is succulent and juicy. Complete your meal with a cup of Kahva, Turkish coffee served with its grounds.

Price: $30-40 per person

Sofra Turkish Café & Restaurant
#02-42 Shaw Tower
+65 6291 1433

(Featured image credits: Have Halal Will Travel)

This article is written by Roshni Kapur.

6 Best Churros Places in Singapore To Visit Before The Hype Dies Down!

Ah, churros – one of the latest snack trends making waves on our sunny island. A crunchy ridge-shaped snack rolled in cinnamon, icing sugar, or dipped in rich chocolate sauce, it surely is enticing!

A simple search on Google for churros in Singapore resulted in thousands of listings, from prominent brands like Max Brenner to new players like Chulop. With a plethora of choices available, where should you go to get your churro fix? Fear not, as the Discover SG team has painstakingly collated a list of 6 places to get the best churros just for you!

1) Alegro Churros Bar

(Image credit: Burpple)

Located at Clarke Quay, Alegro Churros Bar serves scrumptious Spanish street food with a variety of cocktails. Besides that, they also specialise in freshly made Churros that are crisp on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside. The unique texture and taste of their Churros is all thanks to their Churros pulling equipment specially imported from Spain. With opening hours until 2:30am on most nights (4am on Friday and Saturday), it is a great place to chill for a late night out.

Outlet & Opening Hours
3D River Valley Road #01-13

Monday & Tuesday: 1830 – 0230
Wednesday & Thursday: 1830 – 0330
Friday & Saturday: 1800 – 0400
Sunday: 1900 – 0230

2) Alt-Yard

(Image credit: Alt Yard Facebook)

Do not be put off by the dark green colour of Alt-Yard‘s Ondeh Ondeh Churros ($3.80 for 7). Covered in shredded coconut shavings, and served with Gula Melaka dip, it is so good that it melts in your mouth and leaves you craving for more. A collaboration between Penny University and Fluff Bakery, this dessert and specialty coffee bar offers several other delectable options besides its made-to-order chunky churros. The churros are coated lightly in fragrant cinnamon sugar and served with house dips such as Chocolate Ganache ($1), Salted Caramel ($1) and Liquid Cheesecake ($1.50).

Promotion
Churros at half price on Tuesdays.

Outlet & Opening Hours
Tampines West Community Club

Tuesday to Sunday: 1200 – 2030
Closed on Mondays

3) Chulop

(Image credit: Chulop)

Opened in 2015 by local celebrity couple, Syarif Sleeq and Malaque Mahdaly, Chulop is one of the newest players in the market. The churros are served hot and fresh with a light yet crisp texture. Artisanal premium dips, such as Milk, White, and Mexican Chocolate, and Salted Caramel, complement the Churros well.

Outlet & Opening Hours
430 Upper Changi Road #01-93

Saturday to Thursday: 1300 – sold out
Friday: 1500 – sold out

4) Churros Factory

(Image credit: Churros Factory)

Churros Factory offers churros that are diminutive in size. The stand out factor for Churros Factory is that their Ondeh Ondeh Churros with Gula Melaka ($5 for 3 pieces, or $7 for 6), crisp brown on the outside, is filled with delectable pandan goodness inside. Their menu also boasts other sinful, unique, and whacky flavours, such as Sea Salt Charcoal Churros with Caramel and Ice Cream. The churros here certainly don’t disappoint.

Outlets & Opening Hours
I12 Katong Mall B1-26
Westgate Mall B1-K2
West Coast Plaza 02-01
Junction 10 01-25
City Square Mall B2-K21
Orchard Central #B1-01

Daily: 1130 – 2200

5) Habitat Coffee

(Image credit: Burpple)

Habitat Coffee, a popular location for brunch, now offers churros. They are perfectly coated with cinnamon sugar and served with a cup of Chocolate Ganache for dipping on the side. Less oily as compared to other churros, they are perfect as a sharing snack among friends.

Outlet & Opening Hours
223 Upper Thomson Road

Tuesday to Friday: 1100 – 2230
Saturday and Sunday: 1030 – 2230
Closed on Monday

6) Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

(Image credit: Burpple)

Tucked away at two accessible locations, Vivo City and Esplanade Mall, Max Brenner Chocolate Bar offers Churros coated in crystal sugar. The Churros come with complementary dipping sauces of Dark and Milk Chocolate with Raspberry jam. A tantalising treat as the different flavours of the sauces come together perfectly with the soft crust of the Churros.

Outlets & Opening Hours
Vivo City 01-116
Esplanade Mall 01-06

Sunday to Thursday: 1000 – 2200
Friday and Saturday: 1000 – 2300

Milk and Honey – Affordable Yet Delicious Café Food In Bukit Batok!

Over at Bukit Batok HomeTeam NS, you’ll find Milk & Honey. It is a quaint and little café, not just an ice cream bar. You might walk past and miss delightful café, but pop in and you’ll find that they serve up delectable food at affordable prices!

The Ambience

Pretty walls, lovely furniture, quirky decorations and a well-lit interior. It is apparent that much thought was put into furnishing the café, to provide customers a relaxing and delightful dining experience. This is a wonderful place for a lazy Sunday brunch, or to enjoy desserts and coffee while catching up on some work.

The Food

What’s striking was the amount of detail and effort put into the presentation of the food and drinks served. The chefs deserve high praise for their work.

Egg Florentine, $9.40
Lightly poached egg, sautéed spinach, oven roasted roma tomata with thyme on donut waffle with gratinated hollandaise sauce and arrugula salad

The eggs were poached perfectly. Upon slicing, the yolks burst gloriously, releasing their golden goodness. The rocket salad was tasty and the portions were generous. More hollandaise sauce would be welcome, though!

Eggs Royale, $13.20
Lightly poached eggs, smoked salmon on donut waffle with gratinated hollandaise sauce and garnished with dill herb

The eggs were also poached perfectly. It might take you a while to find the smoked salmon slices, which were discreetly hidden under the eggs.

Coffee/ Tea, top up $2

Top up only $2 to your meal for gourmet coffee with a cookie on the side? Pretty presentation? Yes and yes!

Desserts

This was where the chefs one-upped themselves and created something even more magical! The same donut waffle base was used here, and the desserts were artfully decorated.

Mango Cheese, $6.20

Order this if you’re a sorbet lover, or you’re craving something refreshing and citrusy. A scoop of mango sorbet sat proudly upon the donut waffle, solidified by the strong foundation of mango cubes. Also, the dessert was well protected by a moat of invigorating passion fruit. Instead of the sorbet, eat the donut waffle together with the passion fruit. The burst of flavours in your mouth will instantly rejuvenate you.

Banana Crumble, $5.90

What do you get when you put smoked sea salt caramel gelato, caramelised baby banana with salted egg yolk and baked crumble all on top of a donut waffle? The answer is Banana Crumble! The kaleidoscope of strong, contrasting flavours combined harmoniously created a symphony of joyousness! However, this Banana Crumble can be overwhelmingly rich, so it’s advisable to order this for sharing.

Thoughtful interior decoration, warm and helpful staff, delicious food, the lack of crowds and best of all, affordable prices; you should definitely visit Milk & Honey for a delightful café experience.

Outlet & Opening Hours
HomeTeamNS
2 Bukit Batok West Avenue 7
#01-01/02/03
Singapore 659003

Monday to Thursday & Sunday: 10am to 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am to 11pm
(Last order at 930pm)

5 Awesome Places To Get Your Essential CNY Goodies

As Chinese New Year edges closer, it is perhaps mandatory to take a look at the eclectic delicacies every Singaporean should have stocked at home. Food plays a central role this holiday, so don’t forget to stock up on these 5 Chinese New Year goodies!

1) Old Seng Choong’s Nian Gao (Year Cake)

A gooey-brown and sweet confection, Nian Gao is a food prepared from glutinous rice. It is considered good luck to eat Nian Gao during this time as it is a homonym for “higher year”. As such, eating Nian Gao is a symbolism of raising oneself higher in each coming year.

We recommend Old Seng Choong’s rendition of this indispensable treat. It is made less sweet, which is perfect for the health-conscious.

Old Seng Choong
www.oldsengchoong.com
+65 6287 0709

2) Sunny Hills’ Pineapple Tart

A favorite among many, these bite-size pastries topped with pineapple jam is a rich and buttery confection. Pineapple is translated as ‘Ong Lai’ in Hokkien, which means “prosperity come”. Additionally, the yellowish-gold color of this delicacy signifies wealth.

We recommend SunnyHills’ inventive pineapple cake, made from freshly harvested pineapples imported from Taiwan. Flaky, chewy, and tasty with every bite.

SunnyHills
#03-05 Raffles Hotel Arcade
+65 8522 9605

3) Lim Chee Guan’s Bak Kwa

Bak Kwa is a thin and salty-sweet sheet of pork grilled to lovely caramelisation. This chewy snack has a rich history, Bak Kwa in Cantonese translates to “Long Yoke”, which means robust fortune. For the overly-superstitious, its bright red color is also auspicious and a good omen.

We recommend the Bak Kwa from household-name Lim Chee Guan. Amidst its competitors, Lim Chee Guan’s Bak Kwa remains the most tender and juicy.

Lim Chee Guan
203 New Bridge Rd
#01-25, People’s Park Complex
#B4-37, ION Orchard
+65 6933 7230

4) Antoinette’s Love Letters

Don’t take this literally, of course. Love letters are flavorful cylindrical biscuits made from baking sugar, eggs, and coconut milk. Aside from their resemblance to long gold bars, these wafer-thin rolls got their name because they look like notes that lovers in the past wrote to each.

We recommend the Chocolate Love Letters from Antoinette. Lavish and exquisitely handcrafted, these sinful chocolate-infused wafers are nothing short of amazing.

Antoinette
30 Penhas Road
#02-33 Mandarin Gallery
+65 6293 3121

5) King of Melon Seeds

A symbol of abundance and fertility, Melon seeds are widely eaten as a staple snack. Although there are many variations, the most notable ones during Chinese New Year are the black-colored and red-colored ones. “Gua Zi”, as it’s also known by, can imply “many sons” and “multiple coins”.

We recommend King of Melon Seeds, a popular online shop. With temporary festive retail booths located around Singapore, they offer a diverse selection of melon seeds with their most popular being the Famous Dragon Eye, which are known for their large size and thicker flesh.

(Photo Credit: King of Melon Seeds)

King of Melon Seeds

Temporary booth locations are available on their website
email: [email protected]

What are your favorite Chinese New Year goodies?

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4 Unique CNY Catering Ideas That Your Family And Friends Will Love

Gong Xi Fa Cai! As we all know, Chinese New Year is drawing near. Everyone around you is busy preparing for the annual festive season when loved ones gather to celebrate the beginning of a new lunar year.

As a nation of foodies, we know that when large groups of people converge, a huge quantity of great food is necessary to keep everyone happy and satisfied.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] (Photo credit: Sushi Burrito)[/caption]

Whether you are a HR executive planning for your company’s upcoming CNY event, or a host expecting a large group of visitors during CNY, the option of food catering will likely be your best bet to ensure sufficient and yummy food for everyone.

However, aren’t you tired of the familiar CNY catering menu which repeats itself every few years with little variation? Do not worry! Before you embark on a spree of hair-pulling dilemmas, here are some unique catering options that will delight your guests and you.

1) Saybons French Food Factory – French Cuisine

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="699"] (Photo Credit Sen @ Hardwarezone Forums)[/caption]

When you think of French cuisine, Michelin-starred gourmet cuisine comes to your mind. The thought of it leaves you trembling for fear of the exorbitant bills incurred from catering French food for your guests.

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Fret not, we have Note: Some of their services may be unavailable on 8th and 9th February. All the information you need, as well as prices, can be found on their website.

Alternatively, you could ring them up and check with them!

Saybons French Food Factory
6884 9018

2) Sushi Burrito – Healthy Japanese-Mexican Fusion Cuisine

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If you thought that only less-than-healthy options are available for festive catering, think again. is a chain of restaurants serving healthy Japanese fast food. They offer a well-balanced, low carb Japanese meal in the convenient shape of a burrito that fits in the palm of your hand! Guess what? They even indicate the calorie count for each item on their online menu! Thoughtful!

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Packed in eye-catching and disposable wrappers, this fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine is undeniably an ingenious and hassle-free way to indulge in Japanese food.

For more information about their menu, visit their website at:

For catering enquiries and quotations, you may email [email protected]

Sushi Burrito
6543 6860

3) Old Chang Kee – Snacks and Pastries

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Not missing from this list is our homegrown finger-food heavyweight, . Heralded for their golden-brown curry puffs and various arrays of assorted snacks, this fast food chain has quickly won over the hearts of all Singaporeans young and old. Their solid reputation makes them a fail-safe choice as a catering option as anyone’s eyes would gleam at the sight of the tasty curry puff.

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With majority of their buffet pricing situated around $10-$15/pax range, Old Chang Kee provides one of the more affordable catering services available. Their selection includes buffets(mains included), bento sets and party platters which are perfect for gatherings.

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To place an order with them, simply give them a call or drop them an email at [email protected]

Additional information can be found on their catering webpage:

Old Chang Kee
6555 0055

4.) QI JI – Popiah Party

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Rounding off our list is another familiar brand,  well-known for their Nasi Lemak. An interesting catering option is the DIY Popiah, where Popiah ingredients are delivered separated in neat containers. Guests can assemble and customise their own Popiah based on their own preferences. Sounds fun!

Even though their variety of dishes is not as diverse as the others on the list, the hands-on experience of making your own Popiah with loved ones is unique enough to earn them a spot!

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You may place an order online (so convenient!) on their website:  You’ll be on your way to a fun-filled Popiah party this CNY!

QI JI
6283 8572

(Featured image credits: Fat Lady Says)