Gong Xi Fa Cai! Make your Chinese New Year reunion dinner extra meaningful for the family with prosperous plates at Szechuan Court
We’re not even done with Christmas yet, but the Honeycombers HQ’s already getting a head start on the Year of the Rooster – through our stomachs, of course! We all know that a real Chinese New Year feast has to come with a bountiful spread, and boy, do the folks at Szechuan Court know how to whip up a lavish menu. Treat the fam to yummy creations by Master Chef Mok Wan Lok and impress them with the auspicious symbolism of these dishes. Here are five highlights and their prosperous meanings.
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1. Prosperity Yu Sheng
What is it: Yu sheng means “raw fish” in Mandarin, and this salad dish features julienned vegetables like carrots, turnips and radish as the base. It’s typically consumed by tossing a mix of raw fish slices, seasoning and other garnishes such as pomelo, crushed peanuts and ginger slices with friends and family. At Szechuan Court, you have the choice of Hokkaido snow crab, salmon sashimi, abalone and lobster. For a more wholesome choice, there’s also the young coconut pulp and vegetarian abalone option at $58++.
What does it symbolise: Tossing up good fortune and good health with abundance of wealth.
How much: From $58++ for salmon yu sheng to $98 ++ for abalone or lobster yu sheng.
2. Szechuan Court Prosperity Pot of Gold
What is it: This one-pot Chinese dish (also known as pen cai), made of a medley of abalone, dried oysters, scallops, premium fish maw, sea cucumber, prawns, black moss and a variety of meats, is slow-cooked for several hours.
What does it symbolise: Literally translated as “basin vegetables”, this traditional Chinese New Year dish using the finest ingredients has come to be associated with abundance and prosperity over time.
How much: From $488++ for a medium bowl to $788++ for a large bowl.
3. Stuffed Winter Melon With Superior Mushrooms and Brown Fungus
What is it: Served in a crunchy winter melon, this refreshing vegetarian dish is stir-fried with mushrooms and braised brown fungus.
What does it symbolise: Longevity for the whole family.
How much: $32++
4. Glutinous Rice With Baked Cod Fillet In Honey Light Soy Sauce*
What is it: This sweet and savoury creation comes with a slice of baked cod fillet in honey light soy sauce served on a bed of sticky glutinous rice – a perfect appetiser!
What does it symbolise: The combination of fish and sticky rice symbolises abundant wealth and family unity.
How much: $12.80
*Available only during lunch
5. Traditional Nian Gao, Osmanthus Flower Nian Gao
What is it: A popular Chinese New Year dessert, Master Chef Mok’s rendition of nian gao (or sticky rice cake) features an infusion of Osmanthus flower essence and a dusting of coconut flakes.
What does it symbolise: Progress, advancement and growth.
How much: $14.80 ++
Beside these mouthwatering choices, other scrumptious signatures include the poached fresh scallops with broccoli and crab roe broth, sauteed Maine lobster with x.o chilli, golden pumpkin scallop dumplings and Japanese braised pork belly buns.
Can’t decide what to have? Then opt for an eight or nine-course set menu – they come in six different varieties packed with premium highlights, ranging from the eight-course Auspicious Set Menu ($468++ for four people) to the Blessed Reunion Set ($1388++ for a group of 10).
There’s even dim sum! Dig into special Chinese New Year creations like fresh crabmeat prawn dumplings ($9.90 ++ per set of three pieces), golden crispy smoked duck spring rolls ($7.80++ per set of three pieces) and mini abalone siew mai ($12.80 ++ per set of two pieces).
Chinese New Year lunch and dinner menus, and a la carte dim sum lunch menus are available from 16 January to 11 February. Book by 15 January 2017 and enjoy 25% off food when you dine in (excluding 27 January 2017, up to a maximum group of 20 diners). For reservations, call 6431 6156, email [email protected] or visit this website.
This article is sponsored by Fairmont Singapore