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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
