We’ve sussed out the best restaurants in Singapore with pen cai on the menu for CNY.
We’re soaring into the roaring Year of the Dragon as the Lunar New Year rolls around. To celebrate the festivities, we’ve got plenty of CNY events where you can immerse yourself in the merrymaking. And what’s a family gathering without good food? Eat your fill of CNY snacks and reunion dinners complete with the epic yusheng toss, and pick up your takeaway feasts to continue the party at home. But don’t forget the pen cai (or poon choy as it’s known in Cantonese): this traditional communal dish typically enjoys the spotlight during Chinese New Year in Singapore. It’s a hefty pot brimming with layers of luxurious ingredients – including abalone, roast pork, fish maw, and scallops – to symbolise the abundance of wealth and harmony. Ready to unearth some treasures?
Best pen cai in Singapore for Chinese New Year 2024
1. Putien
If you love Putien for its authentic Fujian cuisine, you won’t want to miss out on the Michelin-starred restaurant’s pot of goodies. Its pen cai comes in four sizes, starting from $218++ for a table of four; it’s also included in the Fortune set meals. So, what’s in it, you ask? Expect to enjoy treasures like duotou clams from Putian, abalone, prawns, fish maw, and sea cucumber. Plus, if you put in a takeaway order, you’ll get a complimentary box of mazu mee sua (while stocks last). Alternatively, home cooks can get the frozen option to whip it up whenever they want.
Putien, available online and for dine-in reservations at multiple locations including Kitchener Road and Ion Orchard
2. Dian Xiao Er
Level up your CNY celebrations at home with Dian Xiao Er’s Prosperity pen cai ($258). The wholesome pot of seafood treasures is free from preservatives and additives, with premium ingredients chosen to usher in good fortune for the year. Dig into the dish to enjoy abalone, fried fish maw, sea cucumber, prawns, mushrooms, dried scallops, fish roe “fortune bags” and more.
Dian Xiao Er, available at multiple locations including Marina Square and VivoCity for takeaway only
3. Yun Nans
Overflowing with premium goodness, Yun Nans’ Prosperity Treasure hot pot (from $328 for four to six pax) returns this Chinese New Year. Enjoy spoonfuls of broth that’s been stewed for six hours, complemented by a medley of auspicious ingredients. Think roast pork belly, bamboo pith, sea cucumber, abalone, scallops, cordyceps flowers, yam and crisp Chinese cabbage. Here’s to a year of good fortune!
Yun Nans, available at multiple locations for dine-in including Jewel Changi Airport and Nex
4. Yang Ming Seafood
Enjoy fuss-free reunion dinners with this restaurant’s festive set menus that include abalone yusheng, lobster platters, dang gui salted chicken, lotus leaf rice and more. Of course, the highlight of the meal has to be the Luxurious Feast Pot ($328). This pen cai dish brims with 16 ingredients including pig trotter, braised duck, abalone, fish maw, scallops, prawns, sea cucumber, pork belly and more.
Yang Ming Seafood, available for dine-in and takeaway at multiple locations including Bishan and Ubi Crescent
5. Crown Prince Restaurant
Look to this Malaysian zi char hotspot for feasts fit for a dragon this CNY. From charred lobster yusheng with yuzu sauce to herbal roasted duck to roasted chicken, the menu has plenty of goodies to go around. Eyeing the abalone poon choi? Starting from $238 for five pax, the pot encases ingredients such as smoked duck, sea cucumber, winter mushrooms, dried scallops, prawns, braised pork, fish maw, abalone and more.
Crown Prince Restaurant, available for takeaway and dine-in reservations at Aranda Country Club and Changi Airport Terminal 3
6. Hua Ting Restaurant
Kick off the Lunar New Year with an auspicious start at Hua Ting Restaurant. Its Dragon Dynasty yusheng is a marvel to behold, using abalone, lobster and more to recreate the shape of the mythical creature. For a hearty feast, get the Hua Ting Fortune Pot pen cai (from $368 for five pax). This luxurious dish is filled with stunning delicacies such as roast duck, pork belly, abalone, dried oysters, sea cucumber, fish maw and shiitake mushrooms. Dig in and wish your loved ones good fortune and joy for the year.
Hua Ting Restaurant, available online for takeaway and at Level 2, Orchard Hotel Singapore, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879
7. EnChanko Hotpot & Kamameshi
If you fancy a twist to your traditional pen cai dish, head to Singapore’s only chankonabe specialty restaurant. Its Grand Chankonabe ($188) is inspired by the CNY classic, with ingredients such as a whole lobster, baby abalone, smoked duck, mochi kinchaku, snow crab flakes, fried yuba, and loads more. You can even choose to add a shot of Jim Beam for that extra kick.
EnChanko Hotpot & Kamameshi, available at #01-52A, VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585 with a two-day pre-order required
8. Feng Shui Inn
For a spectacular Lunar New Year feast, look to the restaurant’s indulgent Eternal Fortune menu ($288++ per pax) or a la carte highlights such as lobster yusheng and roasted crispy chicken. Of course, the Classic Auspicious Treasure pen cai ($688++ for 10 pax) isn’t one to be missed. The star of the show features a symphony of seafood, including the likes of abalone, sea cucumber, oysters, dried scallops, and fresh grouper.
Feng Shui Inn, available online and at #01-521/522, Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Pick your favourite pen cai dish and share it with the family at your CNY celebrations in Singapore!
