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Home » Living in Singapore » Chinese New Year snacks: Guide to the best treats

Chinese New Year snacks: Guide to the best treats

9th January 2020 by Expat Living 4 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/chinese-new-year-snacks-our-guide-to-the-best-traditional-treats/

Best Chinese New Year snacks to try

Every festive period has its iconic grub. But Chinese New Year is on another level – there are tasty treats to get stuck into all over the place. So, with the Lunar New Year approaching, it’s time to brush up on the best nibbles to try in Singapore. From pineapple tarts and love letters to savoury-sweet bak kwa, here are our top favourite Chinese New Year snacks to munch on this year!

bak kwa

Bak kwa

The Chinese take on good ol’ jerky, bak kwa is slices of sweet ‘n’ salty preserved meat. Liberally seasoned with spices, sugar, salt and soy sauce, it’s barbecued over charcoal for hints of smoky flavour. It’s available throughout the year, but most Chinese families buy the greasy treat in bulk during the Lunar New Year period. Pork bak kwa is the most popular – and arguably the best tasting – although beef, chicken and vegetarian varieties exist.

pineapple tarts chinese new year snacks singapore

Pineapple tarts

The main culprit for bulging waistlines over the festive period, these bitty-but-flavourful pastries are impossible to stop at eating just one. Whether they’re open-faced (as seen above) or roll-shaped, the best pineapple tarts have two things: a firm pastry that melts in your mouth, and a sticky dollop of fragrant, spice-laden pineapple jam.

kueh bangkit chinese new year snacks singapore

Kueh bangkit

Kueh bangkit (also known as tapioca cookies) are crunchy, coconut-flavoured cookies that melt in your mouth almost instantly, making them fairly addictive. A great festive treat for friends, baking these delectable little devils takes nimble kneading skills and a great deal of patience.

love letters chinese new year snack singapore

Love letters

These aren’t like the kind you scribble to your other half – although giving them a bunch of these brittle, flaky delights may score you some brownie points. Also known as biscuit rolls, love letters are tubes of eggy goodness that crumble into your mouth (and all over your lap) with each bite. They have a feather-light texture, so you can easily consume them by the dozen! Alternative versions have chocolate or strawberry filling. For an authentic introduction to these delicate snacks, be sure to get them in the iconic aluminium tins.

Spicy shrimp rolls

Filled with hae bee hiam (dried shrimp sambal), these crispy, savoury and spicy deep fried rolls are a classic New Year snack and are so addictive. They can get pretty spicy fast, so take it slow, especially if you’re not good with heat.

mandarin oranges chinese new year snack singapore

Mandarin oranges

Mandarins are the unprecedented star of Chinese New Year. They’re traditionally presented in pairs during visits to relatives and friends, as a symbol of good fortune. One thing that is certainly fortunate, is that mandarins are a great healthy option amid the array of sinful nibbles.

Modern interpretations

Check out these unconventional, locally-inspired snack creations, perfect for the Year of the Rat!

chocolate coated love letters CNY

Chocolate-coated love letters

Local pastry chef Janice Wong has launched a whole new selection of CNY specials. Our favourites are the chocolate-coated love letters ($18) and the playful Mr Rat chocolates ($35 a pair) with surprise cocoa almond fillings.  janicewong.com.sg

Prosperity pizzas from Proofer Bakery

Bakkwa Prosperity Pizza

Looking for a fun twist to traditional Chinese New Year spread? Proofer Boulangerie rings in the celebrations with limited-edition 11-inch Prosperity Pizzas, including the “Let’s Bakkwa” with chicken ham, shredded chicken, crispy chicken bak kwa, capsicum and pineapple,  topped cheese, roasted sesame sauce and chicken floss. Each savoury slice will give you a mouthful of traditional Chinese New Year tastes! proofer.com.sg

the golden duck salted egg yolk

Salted egg yolk snacks

This limited edition gift set ($68) by The Golden Duck will please any friend who’s into local flavours. Included are a variety of super-addictive snacks, including chilli crab seafood tempura and salted egg yolk fish skin crunchy crisps. Yum! thegoldenduck.sg

Gula Melaka Pineapple Pastry Thye Moh Chan

Gula melaka pineapple pastry

Featuring fragrant gula melaka-infused pineapple filling wrapped in a crumbly buttery soft pastry, Teochew confectionery Thye Moh Chan’s popular gula melaka pineapple pastry ($12 for six) is a must-try. Other pastry selections available include the unique durian pastry, longan pineapple pastry  and walnut pineapple pastry. thyemohchan.com

Liked this? Check out more stories on our Wine & Dine page!

New nibbles: Where to dine this month
4 bubbly brunches for the weekend!

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Chinese New Year CNY Lunar New Year Year of the Rat

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