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Get ready for Lunar New Year 2018 with our Chinese New Year dining guide of Lo Hei delights and more. Huat Ah!
Lunar New Year is just around the corner and while some use the long weekend for a quick no-flights island getaway, others get into the full CNY spirit – embracing the CNY fashion, doing family visits, and indulging in plenty of Chinese new year dining! But where are the best places for Lo Hei, pineapple tarts and reunion dinners?
Check out our gallery for all the best restaurants and hotels in town for multiple course Yu Sheng feasts to celebrate the Year of the Dog!
Read more: Best Dim Sim restaurants
What better way to welcome in the Lunar New Year of the Dog than with a sumptuous feast at Szechuan Court, Fairmont Hotel? Choose from six delicious eight and nine-course prosperity set menus (starting from $498++ for 4 persons), with signatures exclusively crafted by Master Chef Mok Wan Lok. Each set menu will feature one of the Prosperity Yu Sheng dishes (from $58++ to $98++), a colourful medley of julienned vegetables plus either Snow Crab, or fresh sashimi Salmon, Abalone or Lobster, with a homemade sauce of sweet plum and tangy kumquat.
Chef’s signature dishes worth a mention are the Prosperity Pot of Gold ($488++/788++), which features whole South African abalone, Japanese dried oysters, Australian scallops, superior fish maw, sea cucumber, prawns, ‘fatt choy’ (black moss) and a selection of succulent roasts, all layered in a claypot and braised in superior chicken broth for at least four hours); Maine Lobster and Scallops in X.O. chilli sauce ($68); and the double boiled hot consommé of highly nutritious delicacies of Korean ginseng, fish maw and sea cucumber ($68 pp). Is your mouth watering yet?
Szechuan Court, Level 3, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560, Tel: (+65) 6431 6156, website
Looking for an alternative ambiance to a hotel for Yu Sheng? Chopsuey Cafe, with its black and white colonial colours and an option to sit alfresco, is one of our fave ladies lunch spots in Singapore. They offer a spin on the traditional Yu Sheng, with the Chopsuey Lucky Lunar Lo Hei ($28++ for half, $48++ for full). Standard ingredients are replaced with trout, kale, celeriac, sprouts, red radish, blueberries and wild rice — available from February 5th through to March 2nd.
Known for their sharing plates, Chopsuey Cafe has a myriad of other dishes on offer, too, from Truffled Rice Chicken ‘Sausage’ ($18), to Chef’s Crispy Fresh Prawn Wantons ($10), and Crisped Garlic Spare Ribs ($36) with house-made Green Chili Chutney.
Chopsuey Café, Block 10 Dempsey Road, #01-23, Tel: (+65) 9224 6611, www.pscafe.com/chopsuey-cafe-at-dempsey-hill
Welcome in the Chinese New Year with the biggest Fortune Cat in Singapore at Full of Luck Club in Holland Village, available from 1st February 2018 to 2nd March 2018. All dine-in set menus, starting from $118 for 2 pax, come with the delectable Full of Luck Club Prosperity Toss with a choice of either shredded abalone or salmon sashimi and toppings of crunchy lotus root chips, crispy salmon fish skin and caviar of lychees. Other traditional favourites include the Delightful Platter consisting of Chef’s Signature Honey Glazed Char Siew and Crispy Kurobuta Pork and the Signature Five Fortune Platter ($48) of Golden Sauce Prawns, Golden Sand Corn, Golden Money Bags, Curry Floss Soft Shell Crab, and Chef’s Signature Honey Glazed Char Siew.
Full of Luck Club, 243 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278977, Tel: (+65) 62086845
www.fullofluck.club
Cantonese stalwart Crystal Jade will be offering a range of CNY-themed menus and festive takeaways at their entire family of restaurants. Their New Garden of Wealth yusheng ($88 and $138) includes ingredients such as freeze-dried wolfberries, ice plant and wood sorrel red leaves, along with edible flowers and housemade caramelised deep-fried lotus root slices.
If you prefer DIY grab some steamboat sets from Crystal Jade Kitchen, or head to Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao for seasonal specialties like Braised giant pork knuckle with black moss, and dim sum deliciousness like Steamed chive and minced pork buns.
Crystal Jade, multiple locations, www.crystaljade.com
Toss to good health and prosperity at the Mandarin Oriental with their Bountiful Yu Sheng ($138/small, $276/large) with Alaskan crab meat, salmon, black truffle and black caviar. Or plump for Weekend Dim Sum Brunch with delicious dim sum, roasted meats and seafood.
Cherry Garden’s Luxurious Pen Cai is back this year: it’s Singapore’s largest traditional basin dish (weighing more than 25 kilogrammes and measuring up to 45 centimetres in diameter), and it’s topped with premium ingredients like abalone, lobsters, scallops, sea cucumbers, prawns, dried oyster rolls, conpoy, dace fillet, roasted duck, lotus chicken, roasted pork belly, Cantonese pork sausages, mushrooms, wolfberries and black moss! Reunion dinner sets start at $98 per person (minimum of 6 diners).
Cherry Garden, Mandarin Oriental, Tel: (+65) 6885 3500, www.mandarinoriental.com
Taiwanese dumpling temple Din Tai Fung is a fam-friendly favourite, and you can usher in the Lunar New Year here, too. There’s the must-have Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng ($32.80 for standard/$48.80 large), as well as the authentic Taiwanese alternative to local pineapple tart goodies, Din Tai Fung’s buttery festive Taiwan Pineapple Cakes ($23.80 for a box of 10 pcs). These tasty morsels are specially air-flown from Taiwan and only available at select outlets.
Din Tai Fung launches its 22nd restaurant in Singapore at Northpoint City shopping mall this January as well so if you are craving xiao long bao and noodles anywhere on the island – Din Tai Fung has you covered.
Din Tai Fung, various outlets, www.dintaifung.com.sg
The Fullerton Hotel’s Jade restaurant is the spot for bling yu sheng with their Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yu Sheng (from $78, order one day in advance), which includes house-made champagne jelly, edible gold leaf, honey pineapple and salmon. For the Instagrammers out there, check this ultimate Year Of the Dog dish: limited-edition yusheng ($999, order three days in advance), created to look like a Pekingese dog, also known as a “lion dog” due to its resemblance to Chinese guardian lions, which are seen as bearers of good fortune.
This year’s highlights by Chinese Executive Chef of Jade, Leong Chee Yeng, include a brimming Eight Treasures Pen Cai with 18 premium ingredients: handmade Fuzhou-style fish balls made with mackerel and minced pork, pork belly braised with five-spice and bean paste, Roasted Duck, Poached Prawns, Ten-head Abalone and more. Reunion Set Menus are priced from $88++ per person for a 5-course menu.
Plus! Lion Dance Performances take place 16 February 2018 at 10:18 a.m. and everyone is invited to join the traditional “Mei Hua Zhuang” starting in the lobby of The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore and progressing at 11:38 a.m. to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square, Tel: (+65) 6877-8911/8912, www.fullertonhotels.com
The newly revamped Hua Ting at Orchard Hotel is a fine spot for reunion dinner with menus featuring favourites like double-boiled chicken soup with superior bird’s nest and sea whelk and braised 10-head South African whole abalone with fa cai (black moss), dried oysters and seasonal greens in superior oyster sauce. Prosperity set menus are priced from $108 or $138 per person (minimum of two people).
Hua Ting, Orchard Hotel Singapore, 442 Orchard Road, Tel: (+65) 6739-6666, Huat Ting website
Hai Tien Lo’s Wealth And Healthy Yusheng ($128 and $188), with imperial swiftlet’s nest, Boston lobster and baby abalone, can be shaped into a dog’s face (order three days in advance). Chinese New Year menus are priced from $138.80 per person (minimum of six diners). There is also the classic fortune treasure pot ($328 and $478), with stewed chicken and whole abalone, or the premium wealth treasure pot ($398 and $598), with dried oysters and roast duck.
Hai Tien Lo, Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Tel: (+65) 6826-8240, www.panpacific.com/hai-tien-lo
You may remember this restaurant from its days in New Majestic Hotel. The award-winning Majestic Restaurant, with Chef-owner Yong Bing Ngen at the helm, reopens at Marina One from 26 January 2018, just in time for Lunar New Year celebrations.
There are six, seven-and eight-course menus to choose from (starting at $68pp). Think Australian Lobster, Abalone and Salmon Lo Hei, Double Boiled Conch Soup, Barbecued Whole Suckling Pig and Double Boiled Birds Nest with pear kumquat and honey pomelo. The modern Cantonese a la carte menu includes the Majestic Trio Combination of crispy wasabi prawn, pan-seared foie gras and Peking duck with organic greens, Roasted Ireland Silver Hill Duck in Peking Style and of course handmade dim sum for lunch.
Majestic Restaurant, 5 Straits View, 04-01 Marina One, The Heart (East Tower), Singapore 018935, Tel: (+65) 6250 1988, www.restaurantmajestic.com
We love Mitzo‘s stylish and kid-friendly spin on traditional yum cha! On the menu for reunion dinner is modern Cantonese cuisine exclusively curated by Chef Nicky Ng. Toss to prosperity with Mitzo’s signature Kanpachi King Fish Yu Sheng and 3 delectable renditions of the quintessential Peng Cai – Superior, Braised Duck or Lobster Peng Cai. From $108++ per person.
Mitzo Restaurant & Bar, Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Road Singapore 238857, Tel: (+65) 6603 8855, www.mitzo.sg
The one-Michelin-starred Summer Palace offers nine specially crafted menus, including a six-course Michelin menu ($268 a person) which features Truffle Peking Duck, Suckling Pig and Soft Shell Crab as well as Australian Angus Rib Eye with Black Pepper Sauce and Asparagus. This is the place to indulge in the interesting fish lip yu sheng ($88), with plum sauce infused with a blend of tropical fruit (available a la carte). There is also selection of dim sum available at lunch.
Note that Summer Palace is known for being able to cater to gluten free diets and other allergies.
Summer Palace, Level 3 Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, www.regenthotels.com/regent-singapore/dining/summer-palace
Yan Ting at the St. Regis is a classy affair for fine dining Yu Sheng with Norwegian salmon accompanied by jellyfish, marinated papaya, pomelo, honeydew and snow pear. Braised superior birdnest in golden sauce, double boiled abalone consume with maca root served in a teapot plus a host of other delectable dishes. The gourmet set menu sees four 6-course set menus from $128 per person. There are also takeaway options available, ranging from Roasted Suckling Pig to Propserity Pumpkin Cake.
Yan Ting, The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Rd, Level 1U, Singapore 247911, Tel: (
Located on the 22nd floor (makes sense), Sky22 at Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena welcomes diners in with a buffet (adults $38/lunch, $48/dinner) and complimentary Prosperity Lohei Platter. Having a buffet spread takes the guesswork out of ordering so you can chow down on traditional Chinese New Year favourites, as well as International dishes. Look out for Executive Chef John Chye’ssignature Abundance of Fortune Singapore Laksa Lohei (鸿运当头叻沙捞) to toss in good luck and fortune.
Or if you are feeling cheffy, customise your own version by selecting your favourite ingredients from the unique Lohei Bar concept. Choose from Crispy Fish Skin, Marinated Octopus, Marinated Jelly Fish, Pomelo, Nutmeg, Peanut and more!
Sky22 Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, Tel: (+65) 6378 2040, www.marriott.com
Housed in a turn of the century conservation Teochew mansion, VLV puts on an abundance of festive offerings with each set consisting of eight courses crafted by Executive Head Chef Martin Foo. Try the Lobster, Salmon and Yellow Tail “Lo Hei”, available in the “Happiness”, “Longevity” and “Wealth” set (we like that no artificial colourings or preservatives are used here).
Look out for VLV signature dishes like the Truffle London Roasted Fat Duck and the Crispy Sakura Chicken with Sesame, which complement special dishes created for the season including Braised Stuffed Abalone with Fish Maw & Shrimp Paste, Dried Oyster & Black Moss in Abalone Jus, and Steamed Glutinous Rice with Scallop and Black Bean served in Bamboo Basket. (VLV Restaurant is closed on 16th and 17th February).
VLV, Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Road, #01-02, Singapore 179020, Tel :(+65) 6661 0197, www.vlv.life
Yàn at the National Gallery of Singapore offers Cantonese classics together with modern creations. There are 7 set menus from $118++ to $268++ per person which include Cantonese-style Lo Hei of Salmon or Yan’s signature ‘Shun De Style’ Salmon and Yellow Tail with Lobster Fillet Lo Hei topped with golden flakes. Specially created to celebrate the Year of the Dog, Yàn debuts the Braised Deluxe Seafood Platter ($38++ per person). 长长久久 – ‘chiong chiong gao gao’ – a play on the pronunciation of ‘dog’ in Cantonese, symbolises longevity and enduring friendships, love and harmony. The platter features premium ingredients such as sliced abalone, sea cucumber, fish lips, king of Grouper fillet, scallops, prawns, sea moss, dried oyster and conpoy. Or there’s the Yàn Harvest Pen Cai and other goodies like Salted Egg Yolk Cookies, Pineapple Tarts, Carrot Cake and Nian Gao.
Yàn,1 Saint Andrew’s Road, #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, 178957, Tel: (+65) 6384 5585, www.yan.com.sg
Pineapple tarts are enjoyed by many during the Lunar New Year to signify an abundance of prosperity. This year, Bakerzin has four Pineapple Tarts to savour from Original, to XO, Chrysanthemum and Hae Bee Hiam. We love the buttery ingot tart with the delicious smooth pineapple jam centres. If you re looking for something novel look no further then Bakerzin’s Hae Bee Hiam (Spicy Dried Shrimp Sambal) Pineapple Tarts – a mix of sweet, spicy and savoury!
There are also Good Luck Cookies 好运连连 up for grabs with Bakerzin’s selection of lower sugar goodies ($23.80 / Box of 8 flavours /8 packs), from Coconut Chia Seed biscuits to Cereal Salted Egg Yolk cookies. Available at all Bakerzin outlets, booths and online.
Cedele have a festive menu of CNY goodies on offer — perfect for stocking up on for family visits. Highlights include Pineapple Pocket Pies ($22.80) and new gluten free dairy free Nasi Ulam Florentine biscuits ($21.50) made with rice flour with a tasty crispy bite.
Dairy-free Ogura cakes ($30 or two for $55) include pandan or orange flavours. If you’re in a bind and need a pack of goodies to take away with no decisions involved, know that Cedele have lunar gift bags on offer starting from $122. Each includes 2 Pineapple pocket pies, 2 early grey cookies, 1 chocolate marble butter cake, 1 yuzu cranberry butter loaf, 1 red velvet marble loaf cake. Yum!
Lead image courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Singapore
