The Chinese New Year (CNY) festive season is in full swing. If you have yet to prep for the occasion, here’s a CNY guide to shopping in Chinatown Singapore where you’ll find authentic goodies and snacks, festival decorations and more.
Bak Kwa (Chinese pork jerky): Bak kwa is a favourite CNY snack, so be prepared to queue and contend with higher prices this year. Here, you’ll find popular brands and old time favourites such as Hock Wong (64 Pagoda Street), Lim Chee Guan (203 New Bridge Road) and Hu Zhen Long (14 Sago Street). Choose from different varieties and flavours alongside the traditional sweet-salty version. Try Mala Bak Kwa from Hock Wong, Lobster Bak Kwa from Hu Zhen Long, and BBQ Prawn and BBQ Fish options from Lim Chee Guan.
Flower Seeds and Peanuts: In Chinese culture, flower seeds symbolise fertility and blessings for the family, while peanuts are thought to bring good fortune, peace, and happiness. At King of Melon Seeds (TSSF 01-08) on Trengganu Street, take your pick of different flavoured flower seeds and nuts.
Cookies and treats: What’s CNY without some delicious cookies and pineapple tarts to fill the tummies of you and your guests? Visit Kele (2 Smith Street) and Hock Wong (64 Pagoda Street) for their wide range of cookies and premium tarts.
Red packets: Red packets or envelopes symbolise good luck, prosperity and well wishes for the year ahead. At Gemini Body Shop (PSSF 57) on Pagoda Street, you can find a wide selection of CNY red packets, including special designs to mark the Year of the Dragon.
Hampers: Thye Shan Medical Hall (266 South Bridge Road)’s collection of healthful Chinese foods will satisfy your abalone cravings and boost your wellness at the same time. Hampers are priced across a range of different budgets to spread auspicious joy to friends and families.
CNY Reunion Dinners: Also known as tuan yuan, meaning “gathering around the family hearth”, the reunion dinner is when families gather to enjoy a feast to celebrate the occasion. In Chinatown, you’ll find a list of famous Chinese restaurants like Fortune Court (31 Pagoda Street), Spring Court (52-56 Upper Cross Street), Yum Cha (20 Trengganu Street) and Yuet Sing Seafood (70 Smith Street) for yu shengs and traditional Chinese cuisine.
For more information, visit chinatown.sg.
