Turn down for huat! For CNY 2024, we’re bingeing on unconventional snacks with a twist.
Chinese New Year goodies like pineapple tarts, love letters and bak kwa are the cornerstone of festive snacking. They’re especially useful for stuffing your face when you’re fending off endless questions about your love life and your career from the umpteenth relative of the day. But beyond traditional treats, brands across the island are constantly thinking up unexpected flavours to keep things interesting. Intrigued? Stock up on the best unconventional CNY snacks for the Year of the Dragon…
Where to buy unique snacks in Singapore for CNY 2024
1. Pineapple Tarts Singapore
Calling all fans of pineapple tarts: you can’t miss the golden handmade goodness from Pineapple Tarts Singapore! Known for its timeless traditional recipe, this online store takes the classic treat to the next level with one-of-a-kind flavours. We’re eyeing the luxurious double truffle charcoal tarts infused with exquisite earthiness, and the uji matcha tarts that boast well-balanced bitter and sweet notes.
Mala lovers will definitely want in on the mala pineapple tarts, too. Ultra addictive and satisfying, they offer the best of mouth-numbing spice and delightful sweetness. Or, try the ondeh ondeh pineapple tarts. Encased in a fragrant pandan crust, the fresh pineapple paste is infused with coconut and gula melaka. For a free tasting of these delectable tarts, swing by Primax from 10am to 8pm daily!
Pineapple Tarts Singapore, available online
2. Wang Lai Bakery
If pineapple tarts are on your CNY shopping list, check out Wang Lai Bakery’s buttery delicacies. Besides the classic tarts made using a four-generational recipe, the bakery offers unique flavours with modern twists that will keep you coming back for more. Expect melt-in-the-mouth goodies infused with trendy flavours like Earl Grey and sour cream.
We also can’t resist the pandan pineapple tarts, featuring a thin layer of pandan pastry and subtle tropical fragrance; and the premium cranberry pineapple tarts with a fruity berry-based crust and the perfect dose of tanginess. Feeling spoilt for choice? Psst: there’s free delivery for orders above $100, so go on and shop to your heart’s content. For a free tasting of these innovative treats, stop by Midview City anytime from 10am to 7pm daily.
Wang Lai Bakery, available online
3. Ding Bakery
Ding Bakery’s homemade treats are bound to be a hit with visiting family and friends. Just pick your faves to stock up your CNY goodies cabinet! Craving that savoury salted egg flavour? Try the salted egg pineapple balls. Other unique takes on the traditional pineapple tart include taro blueberry, mango, pandan and charcoal. And if you can’t decide, grab them all, we say! These traditional snacks are an unmissable part of any CNY celebration.
Ding Bakery, available online
4. Sarah’s Loft
The best way to cure the munchies? With cookies, of course. Snag the Chinese New Year set from Sarah’s Loft to nibble on Asian-inspired flavours during home visitations. The yuan yang one features a coffee cookie with sugar and milk tea icing, the trio cookie comprises matcha, kinako and black sesame, and the coco red bean is made with coconut cookie, red bean filling, coconut icing and rose petals. P.S. order from now till 14 January 2024 for 10% off.
Sarah’s Loft, available online
5. Paul
Throwing a party for Chinese New Year? You’ll need to stock up on goodies. Enter Paul and its canapes in bright red and gold boxes featuring sambal prawn tartlets, smoked duck and hoisin sauce tartlets, mini chicken bak kwa sandwiches, and mini pumpkin floss with seaweed croissants. On the sweet side, you’ll find peanut caramel tartlets and pistachio Mandarin orange tartlets. Let’s not forget the new creation: Paul’s pineapple tart that’s made of almond cream and tropical fruit compote with pineapple curd for a delicious dessert.
Paul, available online
6. Nesuto
It isn’t Chinese New Year without the classic pineapple tart, and Nesuto knows that well. Want to indulge without counting calories? Look to this patisserie for treats that are lower in sugar and made without artificial additives or flavourings. Try pineapple tarts in flavours like brown butter vanilla, roasted tea (hojicha), or Chinese five-spice for the fragrance of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.
Nesuto, available online
7. Ami Patisserie
If you love zesty, tropical flavours, turn to Ami Patisserie for the goods this Lunar New Year. With kumquats and Setoka oranges from Ehime, Japan, as the focus, the two creations are a delightful sight to behold. Order the kumquat and kokuto pineapple pie for bites of puff pastry baked with brown butter, almond cream, pineapple jam and kumquat, finished off with icing sugar and edible gold flakes. As for the orange tarte, it’s made with filo pastry, orange zest and pulp blended into the almond cream, and a layer of orange custard.
Ami Patisserie, available online
8. Rebel With A Heart
Rebel With A Heart churns out indulgent carnivore-approved confections (made with only vegan and halal ingredients) that are perfect for CNY. Check out delightful treats like yuzu pineapple tarts, pistachio kuih kapit, and sea salt pepita almond brittle – or grab them all with the CNY gift sets. Trust us, you’re gonna see a bunch of guests reaching for a second helping.
Rebel With A Heart, available online
9. Da Paolo Gastronomia
Love fusion treats? We’re obsessed with Da Paolo Gastronomia’s selection of Italian- and Asian-inspired CNY snacks. Try the bak kwa pineapple dragon bread for bites of Crusco chilli peppers, house-made sun-dried tomato pesto, pineapple, and smoky bak kwa. If you love all things citrusy, go for the Mandarin tiramisu or the Mandarin meringue tart. Finally, nian gao (sweet glutinous rice cake) gets the pastry treatment in the form of a croissant roll.
Da Paolo Gastronomia, available online
10. La Levain
So your CNY snack supply is looking a little low? Hit up La Levain for cookies in flavours such as bobo cha cha, sakura ebi laksa, Sicilian pistachio praline, and peanut shrimp. These treats are made fresh with premium ingredients in the bakery’s kitchen daily, so you know you’re getting the good stuff.
La Levain, available online
11. Kele
What started as a little confectionery decades ago has since bloomed into a go-to brand for pineapple tarts. As usual, Kele doesn’t disappoint, with its rich variety of the iconic CNY tidbit in flavours like rose, tangerine, golden osmanthus, sweet potato, cheese, black sesame, and matcha. Whether you prefer yours flower-shaped or in golden-brown spheres, there’s something for everyone. P.S. pre-order now for 10% off till 20 January 2024.
Kele, available online and at multiple locations including Smith Street and VivoCity
12. Whisking Bakes
So you’re a fan of yam? Head to Whisking Bakes for your fill of orh nee tarts this CNY. Think pineapple balls, but with creamy taro filling instead of tart pineapple. Inspired by the local dessert, the snack is 100% natural and made from scratch using fresh yam.
Whisking Bakes, available online and at #01-08, 466 Crawford Lane, Singapore 190466
13. Irvins
This snack brand gives prawn rolls a twist with hae bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp) that’s coated in salted egg. That means you get savoury, spicy goodness in every mouthful. While you’re at it, you might as well stock up on more addictive treats including black pepper salmon skin. Perfect for munching while watching your favourite CNY flick.
Irvins, available online and at multiple locations including Bugis Junction and VivoCity
14. SunnyHills
Famed for its pineapple cakes, this Taiwanese brand makes its signature treat with organically grown pineapples and all-natural ingredients. Besides that, it also offers apple cake tarts, banana waffle cookies and egg rolls filled with peanut, pork floss or black sesame. How’s that for something delightful to munch on?
SunnyHills, available online and at multiple locations including Jewel Changi Airport and Takashimaya
15. Ollella
A pastry shop that never fails to put out fab seasonal creations, Ollella’s selection of treats includes unique flavours alongside classic ones. Want to go beyond its signature spiced kueh lapis? Try the Nutella version instead. Alternatively, stock up on bestsellers like the jade ondeh balls featuring coconut gula jawa fillings encased in pandan butter cookies.
The Year of the Dragon also welcomes new launches like golden shrimp lapis (made of spicy dried shrimp with salted egg yolk) and bo lo pineapple mochi balls, which have a lower sugar content so you won’t feel too guilty about indulging.
Ollella, available online and at 454 Race Course Road, Singapore 218697
16. WellSmoocht
For CNY snacks that are free from dairy, eggs, and preservatives (and made with unbleached flour and sunflower oil), look to this vegan brand. Try the miso pecan cookies for notes of toasted pecan, brown butter, and miso ‘honey’. Or get the chocolate sour plum cookies for rich cocoa bites studded with sweet-savoury preserved plums. In the mood to try something new? Order the orange blossom sesame cookie with its mix of citrusy flavours and toasted sesame seed crunch.
WellSmoocht, available online
17. Tigerlily Patisserie
Grab the mini trio of cookies ($7 each) from Tigerlily Patisserie to satiate those non-stop cravings for snacks in between CNY meals. The chocolate orange macadamia flavour is a classic fave, while the red date and longan sables are inspired by local dessert cheng tng. There’s also a savoury version with the seaweed and pork floss option. For a sweet treat, order the Orange Jubilance Tart (from $60) and indulge in rich, decadent slices of chocolate mousse, bergamot jelly, orange marmalade, and Earl Grey cremeux.
Tigerlily Patisserie, available online
Which unique CNY snacks are you most excited to try in 2024?