Preparing a symphony of goodies for Lunar New Year isn’t just about being – ahem – greedy. Instead, it’s an invitation to good luck and prosperity to come and stay!
Because what happens during all 15 days of the Lunar New Year will reflect what happens in the rest of the year. Naturally, an abundance of food at home becomes a symbol of abundance, wealth and good fortune for the whole year. Ensuring that all the food and treats stored and eaten at home have auspicious meanings and symbolisms? Even better.
Besides, if you have guests visiting your home, having an array of the scrummy stuff is essential. In Singapore, the most popular snacks include pineapple tarts and bak kwa – but this also means that there’ll be plenty of recommendations for those. This time, let us point the way to some of the unsung heroes of Lunar New Year!
NIAN GAO (or sticky rice cake)
Nian gao is indispensable to the season. After all, that’s the only thing the kitchen god will accept if you want him to speak sweetly about your family. When the kitchen god’s taken his due, it’s our turn! We could eat it plain. Or we could slice it up and layer them between sweet potato and yam, batter and deep-fry them. We could also stuff them into waffles or prata! Pardon the drool.
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NUTS & SEEDS
These have great symbolism in Chinese culture. Often homophonically related to words of blessings for longevity and fertility, they’re also prized for their savoury flavours and rich nutritional value. Moreover, they’re literally bite-sized; perfect for having at hand while leisurely watching LNY comedies or playing mahjong!
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Here are our faves!
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RED HOUSE SEAFOOD
Surprise! They may be renowned for seafood, but their Lunar New Year specials are an under-rated pleasure. Think seafood-oriented versions of pencai. Propitiously named the Pot of Abundance and the Royal Seafood Pot, these are hefty clay vessels spilling over with a luscious array of luxurious seafood such as abalone, sea cucumber and scallops – full of auspicious symbolism and perfect for the season.
But take a good hard look at their festive snack menu too. Adhering to their philosophy of honest cooking and “no shortcuts”, the Steamed Auspicious Nian Gao (8-inch diameter; $28+) tastes like grandma painstakingly hand-made it step by step. As does their Purple Glutinous Rice Nian Gao (8-inch diameter $38+), if grandma likes to experiment!
Red House Seafood's Purple Glutinous Rice Nian Gao (dine-in lifestyle shot)
We also find this vibe on their Housemade Honey Sesame Walnut ($16.80+). Crunchy and fragrant, every bite is addictive. Plus, walnut in mandarin also sounds like the word for harmony and reunion while the sweet honey augurs a sweet year ahead – making this the perfect snack while watching television with the cousins!
SHANG PALACE
Established since 1971, Shang Palace has built its reputation on serving a thoughtfully curated menu of Cantonese cuisine – using the freshest seasonal ingredients to celebrate traditional flavours that have been carefully harmonised with today’s palate. So, what better place to search for Lunar New Year snacks?
This year, Shang Palace presents an exciting array of handcrafted nian gao: the team mentions their standout as the Jin Jun Mei Peach Resin Coconut Pudding ($89 nett, 900g) and we can’t help but agree!
The aromatic base is crafted with luxury Jin Jun Mei tea (金骏眉茶), a rare black tea made only from the tenderest of spring tea buds on the Wuyi mountain range in Fujian, assiduously picked by hand one at a time. Thousands of buds are needed to make just one pound. This tea brews bright, clear gold – with plush honey and flowers in the aroma and flavour.
Shang Palace's Jin Jun Mei Peach Resin Coconut Pudding
This exquisite base is infused with peach resin – full of health and beauty benefits according to TCM; and coconut cream; then blended with a trio of flours to hold its shape gently. Richly aromatic with a gentle natural sweetness, every bite is soft, smooth and chewy. This is one nian gao you’ll definitely want to try “straight-up”.
Presented in a specially designed octagonal revolving lantern box that can actually be illuminated to display its pattern of eight galloping horses, it also makes for an excellent gift!
PS! Mahjong players should sweep the shelves for their Honey Cashew Nut with Sesame ($28 nett). Cashew nuts symbolise wealth and prosperity while the sweet rich flavours invite good fortune into your life. We can already hear the winnings ringing in.
SHISEN HANTEN BY CHEN KENTARO
Singapore’s only Chūka Szechwan Ryori specialist is the Michelin one-starred Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro. Seamlessly combining Chinese Szechwan flavours with refined Japanese techniques and ingredients, their flavours beautifully balance the knife-edge between boldness and delicacy. Naturally, their Lunar New Year goodies also have that extra touch of luxury.
Their Duo Flavour Nian Gao ($45 nett) will seduce the kitchen god into saying only the best things about your family. A showcase of skill, the sticky rice cake balances the mellow warmth of traditional red sugar and the aromatic richness of tropical pandan. Interestingly, both red sugar and pandan have complementary health benefits or so traditional medicine says!
Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro's Duo Flavour Nian Gao
The restaurant also retails a more unusual nut option, which has also long become a signature of the restaurant: Chef Kentaro’s Signature Pecan Nuts coated with Honey 陳建太郎精选琥珀山核桃 ($30 nett per bottle). Pecan nuts aren’t native to either China or Japan, but have become wildly popular in both countries for its flavour and rich nutrition – especially around LNY. We suspect Chef Kentaro made these with magic; sweet and delicately crunchy, they’re delicious anytime anywhere!
ADDRESSES
- Red House Seafood: Multiple locations including Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, Level 2, Singapore 169663
- Shang Palace: Shangri-La Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350
- Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro: Hilton Singapore Orchard, Level 35, Singapore 238867
