Chinese New Year snacks: Guide to the best 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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