Chinese New Year will soon be upon us. If you are not one to slave over a hot stove trying to whip up an elaborate meal for your family, it’s never too late to make a booking at a restaurant to enjoy good food in air-conditioned comfort. From lavish and extravagant sets to comforting but no less delicious fare, here’s our list of where you can go to have a hassle-free reunion feast with your loved ones.
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Nestled in the lush surroundings of Dempsey Hill, Chopsuey Cafe’s east-meets-west influences come through in an abundant spread of comfort dishes for the Lunar New Year season.
Expect bold flavours spread across two menus featuring Chopsuey’s Lucky Lunar ‘Lo Hei’, starters such as Shredded Filo Seafood Roll and Carmelised Pork Belly Bites, mains including Red Curry Slipper Lobsters and Grilled Yellowtail Cheek; as well as traditional dishes like Steamed Shaoxing Corn-Fed Chicken and White Pepper Espresso Ribs. The array of sumptuous delights come with your choice of Wok-Fried Claypot Rice or Smoked Duck Wok-Fried Noodles.
Fancy a sweet treat or tipple with a twist? Enjoy Chopsuey Cafe’s Steamed Kaya Pudding and/or Tigers in Paris cocktail ($23 per glass) along with your reunion feast.
When: Jan 18 to Feb 15, 2022
Where: 10 Dempsey Road, #01-23, Singapore 247700
Cost: From $68++ for the 2 pax menu to $88++ for the 5 pax menu
Visit Chope for reservations or call 6708 9288
You can be sure of refined feasting at two Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro, which has a slew of eight-course set menus.
Highlights include the gelatinous Stir-fried Bird’s Nest with succulent Alaska Crabmeat and Egg White ($98++ per person for a la carte) that’s served thick and savoury. It arrives with a Double-boiled Fish Maw in Superior Consomme that’s clear and clean but with a deep flavour that hits the spot.
The Steamed Grouper with Yellow Pepper Broth boasts firm and tender fish in a tongue-tingling broth, though it might be a tad too peppery for non-spice lovers (like ourselves). Also Braised Inaniwa Udon With Lobster and Garlic In Superior Golden Broth with a meaty crustacean atop soft slippery noodles is a treat.
If abalone is a must for your reunion dinner, the Braised Australian Abalone With Premium Sea Cucumber stuffed with Shrimp Paste won’t disappoint. Two or four-head abalone’s available based on the set menu you choose. Then, of course, there’s chef Chen Kentaro’s signature Chen’s Mapo Doufu ($30++), which is a must-try at the restaurant.
When: From Jan 10, 2022
Where: Level 35, Orchard Wing Mandarin Orchard Singapore, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867
Cost: From $128.80++ for the eight-course Opulence Menu to $298.80++ per person for the Majestic Menu
Visit Chope for reservations or call 6831 6262/6831 6266.
https://www.pscafe.com/chopsuey-cafe-at-dempsey-hill
Best known for traditional Cantonese dining with an inventive touch by executive chef Ben Zeng, Hai Tien Lo has a series of eight festive menus that shine the spotlight on Braised Classic Whole Abalone with Sea Cucumber in White Truffle Oil, Double-boiled Fish Maw with Bamboo Pith, Dried Scallops in Fish Bone Broth and more.
There are also a la carte plates like Barbecued Crispy Whole Suckling Pig ($338 whole, $188 half) for a satisfying sharing dish and the succulent Steamed Lobster with Fermented Minced Garlic ($38 per person).
When: Jan 17 to Feb 15, 2022
Where: Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039595
Cost: From $138++ per person for a minimum of two persons
Visit its website, call 6826 8240, email specialevents.ppsin@panpacific.co for reservations or more information.
Conrad Centennial Singapore’s award-winning Cantonese fine-dining restaurant Golden Peony helmed by chef Ku Keong is so well-received, we heard it had reservations for Chinese New Year since earlier this year.
A standout is the roasted suckling pig, which comes stuffed with an umami concoction of stewed pork belly and preserved vegetable rice, as well as Hakka salted chicken roulade (order 24 hours in advance, $388 for whole), which draws on chef Ku’s Hakka roots.
Other specialities include the Half Lobster ($38++ per person) baked with custard, mozzarella cheese, and Sichuan peppercorn sauce, as well as tender Hamachi Collar ($58++, small) braised with ginger and Chinese wine, New Bedford Scallops with beetroot sauce ($22++ per person) as well as Loin Prime Rib ($22++ per person) with fermented red beancurd.
There are also several yu sheng platters to choose from, with the highlight being the luxurious Fortune ‘Yu Sheng’ starring hamachi sashimi, tiger prawns, and Alaskan king crab leg meat and fresh veggies ($188 per portion).
When: Jan 17 to Feb 15, 2022
Where: Level 3 Conrad Centennial Hotel, 2 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983
Cost: From $148++ for the Prosperity Tiger Set Menu
Call 6432 7482/8 or e-mail sinci.goldenpeony@
Swathed in ornate decor and resplendent hues, get Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant on your short-list for an elegant feast.
Toss to prosperity and health with its six types of yusheng, from a luxurious platter of lobster, Hokkaido Scallop, sea urchin and caviar ($268++, large) to a smoked duck breast and crispy fish skin yu sheng ($128++ for large, $68++ for small), which you can enjoy with a kumquat pineapple sauce.
Its Prosperity Set Menus are brimming with new dishes, from Crispy Pork Trotters with Spicy Sesame Sauce to Bird’s Nest Dumpling with Crab Roe Superior Soup and Wok-Fried Boston Lobster with Fresh Milk, Egg White, Caviar, Broccoli & Gold Leaves.
And, of course, the Wan Hao Imperial Pot of Prosperity Pen Cai ($688++ for four to six persons) is quite a delight, boasting an assortment of 14 ingredients including three-head Australian abalone, marinated free-range chicken, goose feet, whole pork trotter, sea cucumber, and black moss dace fish paste in a rich stock.
When: Jan 3 to Feb 15, 2022
Where: Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865
Cost: Prosperity Set Menus from $118.80++ per person to $208.80++ per person. Eight-course Lunar New Year Set Menus of Abundance from $128.80++ per person to $209.80++ per table on Jan 31, 2022.
Visit its website for reservations or for more information. celebratorydelights.com/cny, call 6831 4605, or
email mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com
Head to the award-winning fine-dining restaurant Jiang-Nan Chun, helmed by executive chef Albert Au, for classic Cantonese fare that’ll please fussy palates.
On the festive menus, expect barbequed meat platters, steam soon hock, garouper or cod, braised ee-fu noodles, and nutritious soups like double-boiled bird’s nest as well as chicken soup with cordyceps and sea whelk.
A new dish you can look forward to is the Wok-fried Australian Lobster with Chilli Sauce and Crispy Noodle that’s drizzled with a spicy and tangy sauce, alongside crackling noodle wheels. Or if poultry is more your thing, there’s the Braised Imperial Chicken with with six-head abalone, sea cucumber and other delicacies.
When: Now till Feb 15, 2022
Where: Four Seasons Singapore, 190 Orchard Blvd, Singapore 248646
Cost: From $178++ per person to $598++ per person
Call 6831-7220 or e-mail jnc.sin@fourseasons.com for reservations or more information.
Traditionalists flock to Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant for its repertoire of both classic dishes and ones with a twist – and there are six different set menus to choose from.
Look forward to well-loved plates like deep-fried prawns coated in an addictive salted egg yolk sauce (one of our favourites), Home-style Roast Duck with Tea Leaves, and Xin’s Traditional Pen Cai, as well as Hong Kong-style steamed garoupa. New on the menu is the Inaniwa Udon Noodle with juicy lobster chunks in light savoury pumpkin broth.
This year’s yu sheng sees sesame-crusted tuna slices that are lightly seared on the outside and is drizzled with a refreshing pineapple sauce. Or you can go for the restaurant’s signature gold leaf salmon yu sheng.
When: Jan 5 to Jan 23, 2022 (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays), and Jan 24 to Feb 15, 2022 (available daily)
Where: Level 4, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, 317 Outram Rd, Singapore 169075
Cost: From $188++ for two persons to $1,998++ for five persons
Call 3138 2531 or email xin.sinhi@ihg.com for reservations or more information.
Sashimi lovers will no doubt enjoy Madame Fan’s Shunde-style Yu Sheng ($118++ for regular, $188++ for large), specially concocted by head chef Pak Chee Yit and which has a lower ratio of salad to the serving of premium halibut sashimi.
The fine-dining restaurant serves up Cantonese classics with a fresh perspective, and you can look forward to star players like the Bridges Lobster & Hokkaido Scallop Soup with 20-year Gu Yue Long Shan Rice Wine Soup as well as a lavish Pan-fried Marble Goby Fish Fillet topped with shaved black truffle on its new year set menus. Other menu items include double-boiled baby cabbage consomme, charcoal-grilled Kurobuta pork belly with plum sauce, and roast duck atop fish paste noodle.
There during lunch? You’ll start with a dim sum platter of baby abalone siew mai, tiger prawn meat wonton, and a Sichuan vegetable dumpling before digging into the likes of deep-fried Chilean seabass, charcoal-grilled wagyu beef with foie gras, and Iberico pork inaniwa udon.
When: Now till Feb 15, 2022
Where: The NCO Club, 32 Beach Road, Singapore 189764
Cost: From $98++ per person (minimum of two) for lunch sets, and from $148++ per person for dinner sets
Email dining.reservations@theNCOclub.com or call 6818 1921 for reservations.
If you’re making reservations at Yàn at the National Gallery, don’t miss its signature savoury Abalone & Salmon with Gold Foil Lo Hei in ‘Shun De’ Style (from $92++), featuring a mountain of crispy vermicelli crowned with shredded purple and yellow sweet potatoes, pickled ginger, and gold flakes. This is solely for dine-in only.
After your lo hei, dig into the abundant Harvest Pen Cai (from $325) with 18 auspicious delicacies such as six-head abalone, sea cucumber, prawns, whole conpoy, and collagen-rich pork tendons. Other menu highlights on its six set menus include Double- boiled Chicken Soup with Morel ‘Yang Du Jun’ and Fish Maw and Wok-fried Local Lobster Tail with Crab Meat & Crab Roe Superior Sauce.
When: Now till Feb 15, 2022
Where: #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Cost: From $138++ to $268++ per person
E-mail reserve@yan.com.sg or call 6384 5585 for reservations or more information.
Savour a heart-warming reunion dinner with exquisite delights at Yi by Jereme Leung. Both time-honoured specialities and those with a modern spin are to be expected, like Steamed Spotted Garoupa & Fresh Lily Bulbs with “Mao Er Duo” Black Fungus, Steamed Jasmine Rice with Chinese Goose Liver Sausages & Preserved Meats, Chilled Foie Gras with Red Wine Dressing and Baked Green Asian Lobster with Crispy Garlic and Cheese.
Then round off your meal with sweet treats like Cantonese Sponge Cake infused with Dried Tangerine Peel, or pumpkin and sweet potato nian gao.
As for your lo hei, you can expect yusheng with Japanese sweet shrimps and artic shellfish, or one with tuna sashimi, Iberico ham and honey melon, all drizzled with the restaurant’s signature Yunnan rose dressing.
When: Now till Feb 15, 2022
Where: Raffles Singapore, 1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673
Cost: From $168++ per person for set menus
Visit its website for reservations or more information.
Where: Shangri-La Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350
A stalwart in the local Chinese fine-dining scene, the award-winning Hua Ting serves up timeless Cantonese favorites, presented in six set menus this Lunar New Year.
Your meal starts off with exquisite appetisers such as a trio of Crispy Roasted Pork, Pan-fried Oyster in Supreme Soya Sauce and Flavoured Fungus in Vinegar, as well as Charcoal-grilled Spanish Iberico Pork “Char Siew” and Pan-fried Scallops.
Then make your way through to specially curated delights like Stewed Bird’s Nest with Fresh Crab Meat and Crab Roe, Sauteed Coral Clams with prawns and greens, Pan-fried Tiger Prawn, Braised South American Spike Sea Cucumber, well as a luscious Braised 10-Head South African Whole Abalone served with goose web.
When: Now till Feb 15, 2022
Where: Orchard Hotel Singapore, Level 2, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879
Cost: From $108++ to $188++ per person (minimum of two)
Chinese restaurant House of Wei has taken over the premises of what was formerly Szechuan Court at Fairmont Singapore. Helmed by master Chinese chef Mok Wan Lok, its concept melds both traditional Chinese techniques together with modern elements.
Its special festive set menus start from the eight-course Auspicious set menu that heralds in the year of the Tiger with a delectable repertoire of dishes. If pen cai is on the cards, you can look forward to the House of Wei Prosperity Gold Pot , which uses a time-honoured recipe handed down by chef Mok’s mentors and stars abalone, prawn, sea cucumber, conpoy, dried oyster, and roasted pork slowly braised with superior ham stock.
Another star player is the Braised 6-Head Abalone with Fatt Choy Oyster Roll, an elevated take on a homecooked dish that’s enjoyed by the chef himself.
When: Jan 15 to Feb 15, 2021
Where: Level 3, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560
Cost: From $118 per person (minimum two persons) for the Auspicious Set Menu
You can’t go wrong with a feast curated by the award-winning Min Jiang Restaurant situated at the elegant Goodwood Park Hotel. Its line-up for the festive season sees tempting delights like the new Braised Spring Chicken with Iberico Pork Rolls & Abalone in Pot ($338++ for six persons) cooked with deep-fried goose web, spring chicken, Ibérico pork belly rolls, Chinese ‘Jinhua’ ham, and more.
There are six-course and eight-course celebratory menus, and the specially created Eight Prosperity Reunion Dinner Menu is available for dine-in at the Windsor Ballroom. Feast on dishes like the restaurant’s signature Roasted Silver Hill Irish Duck and Braised 6-Head Abalone with Sea Cucumber in Seasonal Greens.
And for the quintessential lo hei, you can go for its traditional yu sheng platters (from $88++ for small) or the less-conventional Trio of Prosperity Blessings ‘Lo Hei’ with lobster, salmon and abalone with fresh vegetables like affilla cress, arugula and edible flowers, as well as deep-fried yam strips.
When: Jan 7 to Feb 15, 2022 for set menus. Jan 31, 2022 for two seatings, 6pm and 8.15pm, for the Eight Prosperity Reunion Dinner Menu
Where: Min Jiang Restaurant at Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228221
Cost: From $148++ for the six-course Prosperity Harvest Menu. From $168++ per person for the Eight Prosperity Reunion Dinner Menu
Visit its website for reservations or more information.
If a buffet-style reunion dinner is more your thing, then get Parkroyal Collection Pickering’s Lime Restaurant on your to-go shortlist. This year, it brings a Feast of Fortune to the table with a deluge of mouthwatering options.
Think Braised Eight Treasure Duck, Salt-Roasted Tiger Prawn with Garlic Butter Sauce,
Roasted Beef Striploin and the crowd-favourite Steamed Glutinous Rice with Assorted Waxed Meat and Sausage. Tingle your taste buds with Wok-fried Baby Crawfish with Mala Sauce, and don’t miss the Signature Pickering Laksa with Scallop and Prawn.
Then there’s the Joyful Reunion feast (Jan 31 to Feb 2, and Feb 14 and 15, 2022) with a sumptuous spread of dishes like Braised Premium Pot filled with Sea Cucumber, Fried Fish Maw, Dried Scallops, the ever popular Buddha Jump Over the Wall and more.
Best and formerly known as the Original Sembawang White Beehoon, White Restaurant has a slew of CNY menus to tantalise your taste buds. Of course, its signature white bee hoon is on every menu, alongside tasty accompaniments like a pumpkin seafood soup, platters of meat and seafood rolls, deep-fried soon hock, cereal prawns, and more.
Each set comes with an abalone yu sheng platter.
When: From Jan 9, 2022
Where: White Restaurant is at multiple locations
Cost: From $138++ for the four-pax Joyous Set
Visit its website for reservations or more information.
This article was first published in The Singapore Women’s Weekly.
