The story of the rat may tell the tale of mischievous deeds but more importantly, it underscores a desire to have fun in the spirit of festivities. This sentiment rings true when it comes to the buzz within the local dining scene for this month as well.
Gather the familial troops to kickstart Chinese New Year with these auspicious picks, from elaborate dining sets to fuss-free delights perfect for those on the go.
Paradise Teochew
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The beauty is always in the details, which is no surprise why Paradise Teochew is a leading favourite for its dedication to exquisite dumplings and festive creations. Perfect for those looking to get an early start to reunion meals, the restaurant’s dim sum selection, especially the adorable Crispy Radish Pastry with Ham and Diced Celery Bits, will get everyone nibbling their way into the meat (duck) of the meal. The Braised Eight Treasures Duck, served in a rich gravy and flanked by lush vegetables, falls right off the bone and pairs incredibly well with the aromatic Fortune Lotus Leaf Glutinous Rice.
Exclusive to the Paradise Teochew is also the new Teochew Style Yu Sheng, which is a more health-conscious choice as the innovative recipe spotlights fruits for a change. For those looking to host in the comfortable of your home, the Abundance Takeaway Set (from $298 onwards), which features the glutinous rice, as well as the the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng, Grandeur Treasure Pot and Auspicious Black Truffle Kampong Chicken, will be available any Beauty in the Pot, Paradise Dynasty, Canton Paradise, Paradise Classic or Paradise Hotpot outlets until 9 Feb.
When? Now till 9 Feb
$138 onwards for the Abalone or Teochew Style Yu Sheng for 10 pax
The CNY dishes are available at Scotts Square & VivoCity
Hard Rock Cafe
Here’s a brilliant way to rock and roll into the new year: Hard Rock Cafe’s contemporary spin on the classic dishes caters to smaller groups and/or young couples who want to celebrate without the stress and/or presence of extended families. The Prosperity Yu Sheng Salad, ideal for sharing between two to three pax, switches out the typical sauces for a zesty golden tangerine dressing and golden cereal bits, while the tantalising Honey Smoked Baby Back Ribs easily seduces with its fragrance and home-made honey marinate. The highlight for us was the Orh Nee with Pumpkin Paste & Ginkgo Nuts, which comes as two indulgent orbs drenched in coconut milk — incredibly smooth, savoury, and a rockstar in its own right.
When? Now till 9 Feb
The CNY dishes are available at Hard Rock Orchard and Hard Rock Sentosa
Din Tai Fung
More people are enjoying the tradition of lou hei and Din Tai Fung stays ahead of the game by unveiling a new Abundance Thai Dressing to complement their signature Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng! The dressing packs a mild punch as it is concocted from Thai chillies, roasted peanuts, and refreshing lime, but this unexpected combination keeps each mouthful unpredictable and exciting. There is also a vegetarian option without the smoked salmon, and additional options to elevate the Yu Sheng includes Crispy Yam Strips and Fried Salmon Skin for the addictive crunch. Other festive delights that will have any DTF fan drooling during house visits are the golden lava Steamed Custard Buns and Lunar New Year Edition Taiwan Pineapple Cakes, freshly baked in their Taiwan’s central kitchen and air-flown to Singapore.
When? Now till 8 Feb
$48.80 onwards for the Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng for 4 to 6 pax
Operating hours may vary across restaurants from 24 — 26 Jan; all restaurants will resume regular operating hours from 27 Jan onwards
Shang Social
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Celebrating their first Chinese New Year, Shang Social presents a tasteful blend of Chinese cuisine traditions, including a landmark collaboration with a distinguished 42-year-old Hokkien heritage restaurant. The decadent Prosperous Reunion Poon Choi is playful pit against Guest Chef & Founder of Beng Hiang Restaurant’s Chef Tan Hee Ang rendition of Emperor’s Deluxe Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. The latter stands out for its combination of premium ingredients and the complex yet effortlessly silky heirloom broth, but the Poon Choi’s fried bean curd skin is superb as it excels in its job, absorbing all the rich flavours contained within the basin. The set menu (from $238 onwards) features one of the two hero dishes and includes Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng, Fried Glutinous Rice with Cured Meat and Sausages, and Chilled Lemongrass and Lime Jelly.
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These dishes are all available in their takeaway menu (from $399 onwards) as well, which includes a luxurious gift hamper and an additional dish of fried garlic chicken. Among the festive à la carte options, the Pan Fried Fresh Scallop with Mee Sea in Golden Broth is another dish that pleasantly surprises with its competing levels of textures, featuring the smokiness from the scallop to the house gold broth made from old chicken, pig’s trotter, duck, Yunnan ham, and carrot. The establishment has also made their mark with a unique tradition that will draw the family together in a matter of seconds: the highly aesthetic and limited edition 12 Chinese Zodiac Macarons, which come in an assortment of local flavours like Osmanthus Goji Berry, Red Bean, Gula Melaka and Chrysanthemum Logan.
When? Now till 9 Feb
$238 onwards for four pax for a four-course CNY set menu
78 Airport Blvd, #01-219 to 222, Singapore 819666
The Carvery
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For an inexpensive but utterly satisfying buffet experience, The Carvery at Park Hotel Alexandra is a local favourite for its stunning, sprawling pool view and an abundant array of mouthwatering meats, seafood, pastas, and sweets to usher in the lunar new year.
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Highlights from the festive buffet menu include the Spit-Roasted Char Siew Chicken, which is velvety soft and not-overwhelming sweet; and the glorious Pork Porchetta with Mushroom and Chestnut Stuffing, easily our favourite as the crispy roasted pork belly is paired with glutinous rice and topped off with a dreamlike crackling achieved in a wood-fired oven. From now till 27 Jan, those who are born in the Year of the Rat will receive a complimentary “Golden Prosperity” welcome cocktail, and a Lunar New Year Lucky Bag containing a pair of mandarin oranges and their specially-designed red packets.
When? Now till 8 Feb
$48 onwards per pax for the lunch buffet
Park Hotel Alexandra, Level 7, 323 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159972
Jade
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At The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s Jade, symbolic dishes are infused with sophistication to reach new heights each time. Their Special Edition Gold Rush Yu Sheng showcases a gorgeous rat with a gold coin, meticulously crafted from white, green and pink radish strips, and surrounded by a frame of seeds, fruits, as well as champagne jelly accented with gold leaves, olive oil blended with scallion oil, a tangy and sweet honey pineapple dressing, and for an innovative kick: cranberry cheese.
Standout dishes from the festive ensemble include the Mini Pot of Abundance, which is a thoughtful single portion of the traditional pen cai, protected by parchment paper to contain all the delectable essence from Chinese delicacies and the housemade deep-fried pork balls; and the Full of Luck Deep-Fried Chilean Seabass with Cherry Tomato in Peach Sauce, where the fish fillet is carefully sliced in a crisscrossed fashion, then deep-fried in hot oil to an attractive golden crisp to transform into the songshu yu—a worthy representation of the culinary mastery possessed by Executive Chef Leong Chee Yeng.
When? Now till 8 Feb
$118 onwards per pax for a seven-course Family Style set menu
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178
Ah Mah Homemade Cake
Save yourself the hassle of looking for subpar festive goodies by heading down to the nearest Ah Mah Homemade Cake for their newest cake creation: the fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth Cotton Cheesecake. Reminiscent of the traditional, jiggly Japanese desserts, the cake is made from a rich cream cheese base with a hint of lemon, and baked in individual moulds within a water bath to achieve the perfectly moist and yet supple bite. Fans of the classic pineapple tarts will enjoy the moist Pineapple Tart and Cocoa Cookies, made with premium Danish butter and delectable pineapple paste, plus lovingly shaped into rats to ensure some extra huat with each bite. These are freshly baked and can only last one week as the store does not use any baking soda, preservatives or artificial flavouring for the best flavours in their treats.
When? Now till 31 Jan
The CNY treats are available at all Ah Mah Homemade Cake outlets
Proofer Boulangerie
If you prefer to have a cozy night in with your loved ones, Proofer Boulangerie’s intriguing Chinese New Year pizza and bread creations are fantastic casual picks. Their Let’s Bakkwa Pizza is shaped to resemble a golden coin and features slices of roasted smoky chicken bakkwa (Chinese jerky), chicken ham, shredded chicken, diced capsicum, pineapple, and gooey cheese. Tuna lovers will be pleased with the medley of flavours in the Bring Yu Prosperity Pizza, which features a bed of tuna decorated with slices of crab stick, diced capsicum, onion, and cheese. The four distinct Prosperity Buns are equally exciting and make for great mid-day snacks: egg mayo (Wealth), walnut (Longevity), curry chicken (Good Fortune), and tuna mayo with sesame seeds (Abundance).
When? Now till 31 Jan
The CNY treats are available at all Proofer Boulangerie outlets
Milksha
There is nothing more lucky than literally drinking in the auspicious colours of the festivities, which is why Milksha has unveiled the limited-edition Ong Lai Tea and Ong Lai Ice Blended. These are made from two types of frozen pineapple juice specially imported from Taiwan: the sweet Jin Zuan pineapple and sour Tu pineapple, and finally blended with lightly roasted oolong tea leaves for the lingering aftertaste. The result is super refreshing and less sweet than the usual contenders, pairing well with the gelat-ness of Chinese dining. From now till 8 Feb, purchase any two drinks from the Ong Lai series at just $8.80 and receive their exclusive 2020 Chinese New Year red packets!
When? Now till 8 Feb
107 North Bridge Road #B1-25 Funan, Singapore 179105
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