The lanterns and lights have gone up in Chinatown. Yes, it’s that time of year again! Chinese New Year 2024 is in full force in Singapore, so we’ve listed some great Lunar New Year events and food ideas, plus handy tips for you to experience an authentic, fun and prosperous start to the Year of the Dragon. Plus if you’re organising a Chinese New Year dinner there are restaurant ideas too!
CNY Dinner and takeaway goodies to celebrate Lunar New Year 2024
As the world prepares to bid farewell to the old and welcome the auspicious Year of the Dragon, what better way to celebrate Chinese New Year 2024 than by indulging in authentic food from some of the finest restaurants and takeaways in Singapore? There’s everything from time-honoured goodies and snacks to innovative twists on a traditional Chinese New Year reunion dinner!
Pan Pacific Singapore Chinese New Year dinners and treats
As the Year of the Dragon approaches, celebrate tradition with festive offerings from this luxury hotel. Goodies include masterfully prepared set menus to auspicious takeaway treats and exquisite hampers.
Toss to new beginnings in style with Keyaki’s Japanese-inspired Yu Sheng (from 22 January to 24 February), reunite with loved ones over a bountiful Chinese feast of the finest Cantonese cuisine at Hai Tien Lo, or welcome auspicious beginnings with a line-up of culinary specialties at Edge (22 January to 25 February). Alongside well-loved buffet favourites, you’ll find classic Chinese delicacies and a DIY Yu Sheng station at this restaurant for Chinese New Year dinner. Top up $90 for unlimited champagne, wine and beer!
Hosting a family reunion dinner this Chinese New Year? Synonymous with abundance and good fortune, Hai Tien Lo’s opulent Pen Cai are the perfect addition to your Lunar New Year celebrations. Other takeaway dishes to impress your guests include Yu Sheng platters and the Prosperity Hamper with items such as Premium Grade Abalone in Brine and Double Ginseng Gift Box.
Visiting loved ones? Take along a selection of Hai Tien Lo’s best-selling Chinese New Year goodies and snacks, such as love letters, Chinese walnut cookies and prawn rolls. The Lunar New Year Zodiac Macarons and Prosperity Chocolate Pralines will make sure you’re on the favourites list!
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square
panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-marina/offers/cny-2024.html
CNY at Yi by Jereme Leung at Raffles Hotel Singapore
Iconic hotel Raffles Singapore is an auspicious place to be this Lunar New Year. Its Chinese restaurant Yi (full name: “藝 yi by Jereme Leung” – the character means “art”) has exquisite seasonal à la carte, dim sum and set CNY dinners, along with festive takeaways and specially curated home-dining sets.
Mark your calendars for dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve (9 February), too. Welcome in prosperity and toss to a year of abundance with the Opulence Set Menu ($258 per person) with specialties including the beloved yu sheng, Sichuan-style sea cucumber in chilli dressing, and baked green Asian lobster with salted egg yolk sauce.
Entertaining at home? Elevate the occasion with artisanal yu sheng selections served with signature Yunnan rose dressing, or plump for the Lunar New Year Takeaway Bountiful Set Menu ($402). With traditional cakes that celebrate new beginnings, Prosperity Yu Sheng with abalone, Spanish Ibérico ham and honey melon, it makes for a truly abundant feast.
And don’t forget to share your good fortune with loved ones, with elegant hampers and gift sets filled with gourmet snacks and goodies available from Raffles Boutique!
Chinese New Year food, takeaway orders and gifts can be ordered at rafflescelebrations.com.sg for collection and delivery from 29 January to 24 February.
#03-02 Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road
6412 1816 | yi-restaurant.com.sg
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Lunar New Year Buffet
For an extraordinary Chinese New Year dinner, book a table at riverside buffet restaurant Food Capital. From 5 to 24 February, they will be laying on a special Lunar New Year buffet spread with seafood-on-ice, baked scallop thermidor, oven-baked beef ribeye and stunning festive desserts.
The majestic celebrations continue at Food Capital with Reunion Specials on 9, 10, 11, 12 and 24 February. Bring luck your way with every bite, with eight treasure rice, Singapore chilli crab with deep-fried flower bun, honey pineapple pork ribs and much more.
Celebrating at home? Set the tone for a year filled with good luck with the Prosperity Yu Sheng with Norwegian Fresh Salmon ($98 for 8 people). Other opulent Chinese New Year food take-aways and fortune goodies include Premium Pen Cai, classic savoury yam cake, Chinese steamed radish cake and koi-shaped mango pudding.
Good to know: There’s a lion and dragon dance performance with war drums on 13 February at 12pm – and enter “GCWCNYxEXPATLIVING” under the request section to get a 25-percent-off early bird promotion on dine-in and takeaways until 21 January!
392 Havelock Road | 6233 1338
millenniumhotels.com/en/singapore/grand-copthorne-waterfront
Stamford Catering Services for a fuss-free Lunar New Year celebration
Ring in the Year of the Dragon in grand style by tucking into a customised Chinese New Year dinner with your nearest and dearest at home. Perfect for a fuss-free and fortune-filled celebration of any size, the premium menus from the food caterer’s executive chef Eddie Goh offer an elegant yet affordable dining experience.
With 26 specialties to choose from, the design-your-own Happy Reunion menu serves 8 to 10 people and features the Auspicious Lobster Treasure Yu Sheng. It comes packaged with red chopsticks, paper plates and a specially designed gift box for a jubilant ‘lo-hei’ experience!
From mini buffets and party sets served in self-heating boxes, coupled with a tablecloth, cutlery, serving ladles and plates for a complete celebration kit, to full buffet orders with tables and chafing trays, usher in greater heights of prosperity with Stamford Catering’s lavish Halal-certified food offerings this Chinese New Year.
Menus are available for pre-order for collection or delivery from 24 January to 9 March 2024.
Special offer for EL readers: Quote “GOLDENEXPAT” for free golden pumpkin croquettes (10 pieces) with online orders of Stamford Catering Chinese New Year menus placed before 28 January 2024.
24A Senoko South Road
6852 3338 | stamfordcs.com.sg
Greenwood Fish Market – celebrate at this restaurant this Lunar New Year
Bless your loved ones with good health and success this Chinese New Year 2024 with an impressive food line-up from this family-run seafood restaurant. There’s everything from seafood-packed takeaways and exclusive dine-in experiences to a build-your-own seafood yu sheng!
Want to celebrate your Chinese New Year reunion dinner at their Bukit Timah or Sentosa restaurants? Available from 1 February to 10 March, the build-your-own Salmon Yu Sheng ($138) is perfect for four to six people and includes traditional condiments, along with chef-owner Alan’s popular calamansi plum sauce.
If you’re hosting a family dinner or gathering at home, the Chinese New Year 2024 food specials make for an auspicious addition to any table. With yu sheng, wellingtons, seafood, desserts and two bottles of German riesling, the Ultimate Party Pack ($1388) will happily serve 15 people. For smaller platters, try the new Smoked Salmon Tarte Tartin ($49) and freshly shucked oysters ($59.40 for 12) or, for something larger, the seafood combo ($420) for six to eight people.
For a real standout dish this Year of the Dragon, customise your takeaway and order the fan-favourites Yu Sheng ($188) or Salmon Yu Sheng ($98). You can choose from 10 seafood add-ons, such as Boston lobster, cold smoked salmon and assorted sashimi.
Pre-order your takeaways now for delivery or collection from 1 February to 10 March.
Locations at 34 Greenwood Avenue, Bukit Timah and Quayside Isle, Sentosa
greenwoodfishmarket.com
Aunty Hong for goodies and snacks this Lunar New Year
Founded in 1962, this home-style baker is known for its handcrafted local treats using cherished family recipes. And it’s making gifting food even easier this year with an expanded range of Chinese New Year goodies and snacks.
Whether you’re blessing a neighbour or sending nostalgic food treats to a loved one, the beautifully presented snacks include nuts and titbits and a premium tea range, along with keropok and cookies handmade by Aunty Hong and her team.
Bestow family and friends with best-selling Chinese New Year goodies and snacks such as Shrimp Fries ($22), Sweet and Spicy Belinjau Keropok ($22), Signature Love Letters ($28) and Premium Prawn Rolls ($20). For something more generous this Year of the Dragon, opt for the customisable Prosperity Mix ($128) gift box and pick your favourite combinations of Aunty Hong’s products to treat your nearest and dearest.
Order your Chinese New Year food online and get island-wide delivery.
The origins of the Lunar New Year festival
Marking the beginning of the new year on the Chinese lunar calendar, Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year) is celebrated by communities all over the world. The Chinese New Year events traditionally last for a total of 15 days. The evening before the first day is typically spent having a sumptuous dinner with family (this is called the reunion dinner).
There are many legends surrounding the origins of the festival. The story of Nian is among the popular ones. According to Chinese myth, a monster called Nian lived in the mountains surrounding a village. On the first day of every year, he would torment the villagers, feasting on grain, cattle … and children! They eventually discovered that the beast was afraid of loud noises and the colour red. So, to get rid of Nian, they spread red across the village, banged on drums and set off fireworks. And Nian never returned. These actions became part of the New Year tradition – hanging up red decorations and lanterns, and playing loud drums. In Mandarin, the word for New Year is guo nian, which literally translates to “overcoming Nian”.
Things to do in Singapore this Lunar New Year 2024
Chingay Parade
The annual Chingay Parade is one of the key Chinese New Year 2024 events in Singapore. This is the largest street performance and float parade in Asia, so it’s one you’ll definitely want to catch this Year of the Dragon!
Chingay Parade in 2024 happens on 23 and 24 February at the F1 Pit Building, embodying the theme of “Blossom”. One of the highlights is a 230m interactive floor projection – Singapore’s longest ever floor projection for a street parade – comprising creative graphics and special visuals that will light up the Chingay Garden.
During these dates, the public is encouraged to explore the Chingay space around the F1 Pit Building. There are blossom-themed art installations made from recycled materials. These were created by students from seven local primary and secondary schools. There will also be various art activities to participate in.
More details of this Chinese New Year 2024 event in Singapore are available at chingay.gov.sg.
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Embrace the auspicious vibes with the Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024. From 16 January to 25 February, there’s an exciting line-up of programmes, activities and workshops, such as dragon lantern making, dragon’s beard candy making, temple tours and more. Other family-friendly events include lion dance and festive drumming workshops, heritage trails, storytelling, mini games and craft activities for the little ones and food tasting! Admission to this Chinese New Year 2024 event in Singapore is free, with some ticketed activities.
Visit SYSNMH’s official website sysnmh.org.sg/en for the full programme list.
Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO)
SCCC and SCO are coming together with plenty of activities for their Chinese New Year event. Called “CNY Family FUN”, it runs from 26 to 28 January. There will be Chinese opera and music, lion dances, markets, live busking sessions, a dragon-themed art installation and more. It is free admission – though some events are paid for. For the full schedule and details of this Chinese New Year event in Singapore, head to singaporeccc.org.sg.
Red packets – various venues
The Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Hongbao Campaign returns this year with new red packet designs based on the Chinese zodiac Year of the Dragon! In this exciting Chinese New Year event in Singapore, visitors will be able to collect exclusively designed red packets at 43 participating museums, heritage institutions and galleries, while stocks last. Each set has eight red packets, themed respectively to the 43 participating museums, and is limited to one set per visitor.
In addition, visitors can purchase a limited-edition Collector’s Album containing a full set of all the red packet designs, while stocks last. See facebook.com/ILoveMuseums for more information on this Chinese New Year event in Singapore.
The Istana
The Istana is open every Lunar New Year and it’s no different for this year. The date for the Chinese New Year 2024 open house event has not been released yet. For more details, visit istana.gov.sg.
Dos and don’ts during the Lunar New Year
Tips from Feng Shui Master Clarice Chan!
General:
- Make sure you say “Gong Xi Fa Cai” to wish friends and colleagues a prosperous New Year.
- Prepare food before New Year’s Day so that all sharp instruments such as knives and scissors can be put away. This avoids cutting the luck out of the New Year or severing any ties with family and friends.
- Refrain from using negative expressions or talking ill of others; it’s a time to promote joy and abundance.
- Don’t wash your hair on the first day of the Lunar New Year as hair has the same sound as the word fatt or fa, which means prosperity. Therefore, washing your hair will encourage any wealth and prosperity to be washed away. Avoid washing clothes on this day for the same reason.
- Colours are very important to the Chinese. Typically, only bright colours are considered auspicious, especially red and gold. White and black are generally associated with sad occasions such as funerals or illness, and are therefore considered unlucky or inauspicious.
- Gifts are not common except for Mandarin oranges, which are mandatory to offer to hosts when visiting during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year.
- Unmarried adults and children receive “hong baos” or “ang pows” from married family members and friends. These red envelopes are filled with crisp new bills totalling an even amount of money. Odd numbers are not given during the celebrations.
Chinese New Year food and other preparations:
- Always use new red packets.
- Always fill your red packets with new banknotes.
- Have plenty of Mandarin oranges available.
- Use a circular candy tray.
- Keep some flowers, especially plum blossoms, peach blossoms and pussy willows. These symbolise happiness and good fortune.
- Wear new clothes and shoes.
Common Chinese New Year activities:
- Clean your entire home and get rid of all clutter.
- Put away old brooms and brushes as they’re considered to bring bad luck; new brooms and brushes are very important.
- Pay off as many of your debts as possible, if you have any.
- Resolve differences with family members, friends, neighbours and business associates.
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