From handcrafted nian gao to traditional pastries, indulge in sweet and savoury treats that bring flavour and fortune to your celebrations.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore’s Peach Blossoms has curated a range of festive hampers that are thoughtfully designed to double as versatile storage boxes, making them the perfect gift. The Wealthy Hamper ($298.80), comes in an exclusive auspicious red box, and includes a bottle of house red wine, a can of Fortune Abalone, a tin of Imperial Pu-Er Tea, a Harvest Japanese Purple Sweet Potato Nian Gao, Homemade Sakura Ebi Chili Sauce, a jar of Crispy Almond Cookies, and a jar of Spicy Prawn Rolls. For something extra luxe, look for the Prosperity Hamper ($398.80) which comes with a bottle of Champagne, two cans of Fortune Abalone, a tin of Osmanthus Tea, Homemade Sakura Ebi Chili Sauce, a jar of Pork Floss Cookies, a jar of Golden Pineapple Balls, a jar of Crispy Almond Cookies, and a jar of Spicy Prawn Rolls.
There’s also a range of nian gao and radish cake to choose this year. Timeless favourites include the Prosperous Reunion Happiness Trio-Layer Nian Gao made with coconut milk, Japanese purple sweet potato, and Okinawan brown sugar with glutinous rice, the Water Chestnut and Caramelised Corn Nian Gao; and the popular Harvest Japanese Purple Sweet Potato Nian Gao. Look forward to Chef Edward’s signature Radish Cake with Hokkaido Premium Dried Scallop and Trio Shrimps ($88), crafted with premium ingredients including Hokkaido Premium Dried Scallop and Trio Shrimps. Explore the new year goodies and offerings from the hotel’s eShop at https:l/bit.lylprosperity-blooms.
Pan Pacific Singapore
Hai Tien Lo, Pan Pacific Singapore’s fine dining Cantonese restaurant is featuring an array of Lunar New Year delights including delicate cakes, traditional kuehs, artisanal cookies, and macarons. For gifting, go for the Kueh Lapis Combination (Rainbow, Original, Pandan, Prunes); Pair of Chinese Taro and Turnip Cake with Preserved Meat and Dried Shrimp in Bamboo Basket; or the Pineapple Pasty Combination – Charcoal, Pandan, Kumquat, Pineapple. Perfect for families with kids are the adorable Chinese New Year 12 Chinese Zodiac-themed Macarons and Radiant Abundance Chocolate Pralines.
Pan Pacific Singapore’s Lunar New Year goodies are available for purchase through their eShop at panpacificsingapore.oddle.me from now until 12 February 2025. For self-collection, the Lunar New Year booth is on Level 1, available from now until 12 February 2025, 10am to 8pm except for Lunar New Year’s Eve on 28 January 2025, where the latest collection time is at 5pm.
Shangri-La Singapore
Nothing encapsulates the sweet beginnings of spring better than nian gao, and Shangri-La Singapore has a stunning array lined up for this year’s celebrations. There are five flavours to choose from including the Shangri-La Nian Gao with Rose, Bird’s Nest, Trehalose, and Coconut Juice which is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds, with a delicate pink centre infused with floral essence of rose and framed by coconut flavoured layers infused with bird’s nest and rose petals. It’s also a guilt-free option, as it replaces sugar with trehalose. Equally enticing is the Water Chestnut and Red Date Nian Gao, with finely chopped water chestnuts atop a bed of rich and sweet premium Xinjiang dates. As for savoury treats, the Applewood Minced Pork Bak Kwa is a must-have for the season that brings together the best of both worlds: premium pork hind legs are marinated in a traditional recipe before undergoing a two-hour smoking process using imported applewood from the U.S. The result is a rich and smoky BBQ flavour that is sure to delight any bak kwa lover. Orders can be made online at bit.ly/shangrilacny25 until 12 February 2025.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Fullerton Hotels’s acclaimed Chinese restaurant, Jade, pulls out all the stops this year with a collection of oven-baked goodies and traditional puddings. Newly added is the Rose Sesame Nian Gao, a sophisticated take on the classic nian gao that harmoniously pairs the subtle sweetness of rose with the nutty richness of sesame. Returning this year is Jade’s signature Harmony Koi Fish Osmanthus Nian Gao, a visually stunning treat adorned with a jade ring and koi fish motifs to symbolise prosperity. Other signature goodies available for takeaway include the Baked Longan Red Date Cookie, which is stuffed with a decadent paste of dried longan and dates. Also recommended is the Lion Dance Pineapple Cookie, an upsized version of the beloved pineapple tart. The cookie is whimsically shaped like a lion dance mascot’s head, its golden-brown crust hiding a luscious centre of house-made pineapple jam. Completing the lineup is the crowd favourite Yam Paste Nian Gao Tart, which features a crisp pastry shell layered with silky yam paste and sticky-sweet nian gao, for a delightful contrast of textures and flavours. Orders can be made online at Fullerton’s e-shop until 12 February 2025.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Indulge in a range of pastries and cookies fresh from the oven at Colony Bakery. Good things are made to be shared, as are the bakery’s ‘Ong Lai’ Pineapple Tarts and Flower Blossom Butter Cookies. There are local favourites to enjoy too, like Chilli Prawn Rolls, Kueh Bangkit, Sugee, and Cashew Nuts Cookies, each beautifully packaged in Peranakan tins. For a taste of East-meets-West, check out the bakery’s Themed Goodies: the ‘Spring’ Mandarin Lychee Tart, which marries a delicate chocolate tart shell filled with lychee jelly and light vanilla sponge cake crowned with mandarin mousse; the ‘Prosperity’ Strawberry Tart which features a crunchy red fruit biscuit base topped with strawberry confit, light vanilla sponge cake, and strawberry mousse; and the ‘Jewelled’ Tropical Tart with a toasted pistachio base topped with tropical fruit mousse, mango cubes, vanilla sponge cake, vanilla ganache and rose jelly. Orders can be made online at https://colonybakery.oddle.me/en_SG/ until 12 February 2025.
Carlton Hotel Singapore
Carlton Hotel Singapore’s Lunar New Year goodies are made from only the finest ingredients, making them perfect for gifting and indulging with loved ones. The traditional Carrot Cake represents good fortune and happiness, since its Cantonese name ‘lor bak gou’, contains a homonym that rhymes with a popular new year greeting that wishes success in all of one’s endeavours. Another great centrepiece for the table is the Koi Nian Gao, which is shaped like a fish, a symbol of prosperity. One can’t go wrong with the classics, so the Traditional Nian Gao is a good choice for celebrations, made using an old recipe and baking process that infuses polished glutinous rice with fragrant almond juice to bring forth a light but lingering sweetness. Orders can be made online at https://celebrations.carltonhotel.sg (by 22 Jan). The last day for in-store purchases at the hotel’s Lobby Festive Booth is 28 Jan.
The St Regis Singapore
St Regis’ beautifully curated hampers are bound to delight, whether you’re gifting business associates or surprising family. Each of these luxurious bundles are filled with lavish treats, such as the Harmony Hamper ($288), which comes with Yan Ting’s signature bak kwa; or the Bespoke Hamper ($688) containing premium offerings like the Mini Buddha Jump over the Wall and Yan Ting’s premium kurobuta bak kwa. For something lavish that will truly wow your recipient, there’s the Abundance Hamper ($888), which includes On Kee Braised Abalone in Crab Paste, a bottle of Ruinart Brut Champagne and Château Tour de Marbuzet (France), snacks like pineapple tarts and prawn rolls, as well as an exquisite The St. Regis Singapore Leatherette Chest. Order online at https://yanting.oddle.me/en_SG/ until 12 February 2025.
InterContinental Hotel Singapore
Man Fu Yuan elevates the traditional nian gao with its Baked Purple Sweet Potatoes Nian Gao Tart, which returns after a popular run last year. Each order is accompanied by a Man Fu Yuan Tea Bag – perfect for sharing and indulging with family and friends this festive season. Also making a comeback is the perennial favourite Ingots Nian Gao Tart, delicately handcrafted in the shape of gold ingots and filled with a velvety sweet potato paste, then topped with shredded coconut and edible gold leaf for a touch of luxury. Other hot items for gifting include the Prosperity Pineapple Balls, a buttery pastry with tangy-sweet pineapple paste encased within; Cantonese Salted Egg Almond Cookies, Peanut Cookies, and Mini Spicy Shrimp Spring Roll. Orders can be made online at interContinentalShoppe.sg until 12 February 2025.
Paradise Group
Paradise Group has conceptualised an auspicious theme for its Lunar New Year offerings, aptly dubbed Golden Radiance of the Snake after 2025’s Chinese zodiac animal. Satisfy your cravings for both sweet and savoury festive cakes in the form of dishes like Steamed Carrot Cake with Chinese Sausage, a velvety pudding of radish studded with flavourful chunks of sausage – a yam version is also available. Meanwhile, the traditional Nian Gao gets a tropical twist with the addition of coconut milk, bringing the cake’s natural sweetness to the fore. If you can’t decide between the three, get the Trio Festive Cakes set which includes all of them. Good things also come in pairs, like the Duo Golden Cakes set which features the Steamed Golden Fa Gao with Red Dates and Steamed Mandarin Orange Bun with Lotus Paste. These festive cakes and pastries are available at Taste Paradise, Paradise Teochew, Seafood Paradise, Paradise Dynasty, Canton Paradise, and Paradise Classic restaurants, for takeaway only.
Godiva
Godiva proves that chocolates can be enjoyed on any occasion, including the Lunar New Year. For its 2025 New Year Collection, the chocolatier presents new limited-edition chocolates that bring together Eastern heritage and Western craftsmanship, with exquisite designs inspired by the serpentine grace of the snake, this year’s animal horoscope. Highlights include the Strawberry Caramel Milk Chocolate, its exterior embossed with sparkle-like motifs that resemble dazzling New Year fireworks and enveloping a luscious white strawberry caramel ganache in a smooth milk chocolate shell. The Lemon White Chocolate and Almond Apricot Dark Chocolate both present a refreshing balance of sweetness and tang, with the former containing a lemon white chocolate mousse and the latter filled with apricot white chocolate ganache and almond praline. Notably, this year’s collection introduces a gorgeous red lantern box which doubles as a decorative piece. The range is available while stocks last at all five of Godiva’s boutiques as well as online at https://godiva.com.sg/.
KELE
KELE, Singapore’s famed purveyor of pineapple tarts, adds a touch of whimsy to tradition with its Chinese New Year 2025 Pokémon Special Collection, which features vibrant Pokemon-themed tins and delightful treats set to steal the hearts of foodies, collectors, and fans alike. The Mega Bundle Set is the ultimate indulgence, boasting two tins of KELE’s signature Traditional Pineapple Tarts and Golden Pineapple Balls, a souvenir box containing six exciting flavours like Sweet Potato, Rose, Jade, and Cheese, as well as exclusive collectibles including a Pokémon thermos flask and tote bag which make for wonderful mementoes. Besides the Pokemon collection, Kele’s 2025 Festive Collection is equally irresistible flavours like Golden Osmanthus and Matcha packed into beautiful golden tins. This year, Kele has also partnered with Whittard of Chelsea to develop two brand-new tea-infused flavours: the Earl Grey Pineapple Tarts and English Breakfast Pineapple Tarts. To order, visit: www.kele.sg
AMI Patisserie
Usher in Lunar New Year with AMI Patisserie’s new Kokuto Pineapple Financiers ($39). Inspired by the auspicious symbolism of pineapples, Chef Makoto Arami presents the classic beurre noisette almond tea cake with pineapple. He further elevates the baked sweet treat with the refined flavours of kokuto – Okinawan black sugar (a natural alternative to refined sugar valued for its complex and robust flavours), as well as a sprinkling of lime zest. He also uses almond powder, flour from Japan, and nutty browned French Lescure butter. Five-day advanced pre-orders can be made from now to 29 January 2025 at the Patisserie Café and e-shop, with self-collection from now to 2 February 2025. To order, visit: https://www.amipatisserie.com/
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Text by: Eris Choo
