In an ideal world, the most delicious of foods would be healthy and have very little calories. However, we live in a world where the opposite is true,; hence the need for diets to keep us healthy and slim. Although diets are generally good for us, the torture comes when Chinese New Year comes around as there will be a whole host of deliciously sinful, calorie goodies to indulge in. Since Chinese New Year only comes around once a year, why not take a break and restart after Chinese New Year.
To help you make the most out of the extra calories you will be eating, we have compiled a list of 8 unique goodies sold in Singapore that are guaranteed to get your nosy relatives to stop asking about when you will be getting married. From bak kwa (BBQ Pork) cookies, pineapple bak kwa, foie gras pineapple tarts to salted egg yolk chips with Sichuan spice; your diet can wait.
Pineapple Bak Kwa from Kim Peng Hiang
Pineapples and bak kwa? We are entering into odd couple territory here, but this just works. The story behind it is charming too. Kim Peng Hiang is family run local business that started way back in the 1930s. This conception came out of rather randomly as apparently, pineapples and bak kwa are two of the towkay’s favorite foods. One day, the towkway had a crazy idea to just blend them together to create pineapple bak kwa The bak kwa itself is delectable, with juicy yielding meat coupled with chunks of real pineapple thrown in.
Aside from being known for its signature charcoal-grilled pineapple bak kwa, another defining characteristic of this shop are the long snaking queues of people lining up to get a taste of this sweet treat. Be prepared to wait for at least three hours because this store is just that popular. The good thing about this store that prices are not raised during Chinese New Year but be sure to draw your money as the store only accepts cash.
For those who prefer the more traditional ba kwa, Kim Peng Hiang sells that too.
If you would like to keep your ba kwa fresh throughout the new year, take a look at our Borosilicate Glass Food Container With Lid which has a clip-lock and a silicone seal that will keep your pork extra fresh!
Information
Kim Peng Hiang 金品香
Address: 465 Changi Road, Singapore 419 886
Tel: 6742 6853
Open: Mon-Sat : 9am – 7pm
MRT: Kembangan (EW6)
Note: Cash only
Ba Kwa Cookies From Old Seng Choon
Speaking of ba kwa, the next item on this list are ba kwa cookies from Old Seng Choon. On its own, each item is hard to resist but together, these sinful foods come together for a unique delicious interpretation of the charcoal-grilled meat. To top it all off these cookies are made from smoky and sweet barbecue sauce, garlic and coriander making this a unique snack worthy of our list. A can of these cookies goes for $17.82.
Other Lunar New Year snacks they sell include Yuzu Pineapple Tarts, Salted Egg Yolk Pineapple tarts and more. Check them out online here.
Foie Gras Pineapple Tarts by Racines
Pardon my french but I could never imagine that I’ll see something like foie gras in pineapple tarts. The unusual east meets west creation was the brainchild of chef Sam Leong and stays true to the French and Chinese cuisines found at Racines. The paring really works as the foie gras gives a full savouriness to the pastry and balances out the sharp acidic taste of pineapple. Although this is a bit pricy at $38, it’ll be sure to impress your friends and relative. Get them here.
Premium Shrimp Crackers from Papatonk
These are no ordinary shrimp crackers. Unlike your average shrimp cracker that contains only about 10-15%, each Papatonk shrimp cracker is said to contain 35% shrimp the highest concentration in the market. Furthermore, these shrimp crackers are made from non-frozen seawater shrimp and come in four deliciously authentic Indonesian flavors – Original, Chicken Curry, Hot Chili, and Lim and Roasted Tomatoes.
Each packet costs only $2.50 and can be found at Sheng Shiong outlets, POPULAR Bookstores and on Shopee.
Remember, don’t eat it all at once. You can always store these crackers in our food storage containers that have a locking lid vacuum seal for extra crispy freshness.
Curry Cashews
Forgot your basic and boring honey glazed cashews. These Curry Cashews literally add a bit of spice to the stack. Healthy oven-baked cashews are coated with a glorious layer of pure ground curry spices and all natural seasonings, for a savory and aromatic oven-baked treat, The taste has been described as a warm sensation which comes from spices like cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You can get these special cashews for $18 from local snack maker Provisions here.
Salted Egg Yolk Yam Chips with Sichuan Spice
It appears the Singaporean obsession with all things salted egg yolk and has not ended. Following the success of their spicy salted egg yolk lotus root chips last year, Goodwood Park Hotel has created another unusual salted egg yolk snack. Goodwood Park Hotel has combined two very popular flavors in Singapore to create this concoction. Discs of yam are coated with this unique mix to earn a spot on this list.
Rest assured, this snack is still very accessible as the mala (Sichuan spices) kick is not as strong as what you’ll get from eating mala noodles. Rather, the kick only sets in a few seconds after you take a bite to produce a nice warm sensation in your mouth. Warning, we will not take responsibility you developing an addiction to this snack. You can pick this up at Goodwood Park Hotel for $36.80.
Information
The Deli Goodwood Park Hotel
Address: 22 Scotts Rd, Singapore 22822
Operating Hours: 9am – 9pm
For orders or inquiries, please call +65 6730 1786 or email: deli@goodwoodparkhotel.com.
Mala Peanut Ikan Bilis Cookies
Another uniquely local creation is the Mala Peanut Ikan Bilis Cookies from local bakery The Pine Garden. This one is for the spice lovers and those who can’t get enough of mala. The cookie is baked from a unique concoction of Sichuanese peppercorn, chili pepper and various spices, crunchy Huangfeihing mala peanuts, and fried Ikan Bilis. Although it may seem a bit strange for a cookie, don’t knock it until you tried it as the flavors blend well together while the crunchy texture is to die for. You can get it online here.
Nonya Laksa cookies from HarriAnns
Last but not least, we have tasty Laksa cookies from HarriAnns. This snack is for those who have a preference for savory flavors. Bite into one and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the explosion of chili and spices that taste just like Nonya Laksa. With a rich blend of fresh turmeric, galangal, chilies, and other Peranakan spices; you are in for a treat. Cookies go for $20.90 a bottle, you can get it online here or pick it up at their store in Bugis.
Information
Harri Ann’s
Address: 230 Victoria Street, #01-01A Bugis Junction Towers, Singapore 188024
Opening hours: 7am – 9pm
Now that you’ve come to the end of this list, we hope that you would have gotten some good ideas about some uniquely delicious snacks to buy for Chinese New Year.
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