The Feast of the Lunar New Year: A Culinary Journey
January 7, 2025, 4:24 am
The Lunar New Year is a time of celebration, a festival where food takes center stage. It’s a time when families gather, traditions are honored, and the air is filled with the aroma of auspicious dishes. As the Year of the Dragon approaches, restaurants are preparing to welcome diners with open arms and lavish spreads.
Imagine a buffet that stretches as far as the eye can see. Hilton Singapore Orchard’s Estate is rolling out a feast fit for royalty. Whole roasted suckling pigs, five-spiced Australian beef brisket, and crispy pork belly are just the beginning. The buffet is a treasure trove of flavors, where every dish tells a story of tradition and celebration. For S$168 per person, diners can indulge in a smorgasbord that includes a live sashimi station and a cold seafood bar.
But the celebration doesn’t stop there. Conrad Singapore’s Oscar’s is also in the game, offering a Lunar New Year buffet starting at S$108. Here, global flavors meet local favorites. A DIY yu sheng bar invites diners to toss their own prosperity salad, while live stations serve up noodles and Hong Kong roast meats. The culinary landscape is rich and diverse, promising something for everyone.
For those who prefer the comfort of home, Beauty In The Pot has crafted a takeaway set that feeds five for S$368. It’s a steamboat experience in a box, complete with a portable gas stove and over 20 fresh ingredients. Imagine simmering US Kurobuta pork and Hokkaido pork belly in a rich broth, all while enjoying the company of loved ones.
Yang Ming Seafood is also offering take-home set menus, starting from S$838.80 for eight to ten people. The menu features abalone yu sheng and a rock lobster platter, ensuring that every bite is a celebration of flavor. For a more intimate gathering, Tablescape Restaurant and Bar’s Prosperity Set offers a delightful array of dishes for S$299, including honey soy sauce chicken and radish cake.
Pen cai, a traditional treasure pot, is a must-have for many families. Chef Ang Song Kang and chef Marvas Ng of Path have created a Harmony Pen Cai that’s a feast for the eyes and the palate. Priced from S$318, this dish is a layered masterpiece filled with kampong chicken, prawn rolls, and a crown of braised oysters and abalone.
Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant is not to be outdone, with menus starting at S$288 per person. Here, diners can savor braised superior bird’s nest soup and Alaskan king crab on steamed egg white. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, private rooms with dedicated banquet managers are available.
Crystal Jade Palace is another contender, offering set menus from S$198. Expect dishes like double-boiled wild yunzhi with fish maw and wok-fried Australian lobster. Meanwhile, Michelin-starred Summer Pavilion presents a menu starting at S$158, featuring steamed Dong Xing grouper and double-boiled chicken soup.
At Shangri-La Singapore, the festivities will be grand. On January 28, the Tower and Island ballrooms will host a dinner featuring a live stream of CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala. For S$188 per head, guests can enjoy an eight-course menu while watching one of the world’s most-watched television programs.
No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without yu sheng. Modern Japanese bistro Ginkyo by Kinki offers an Abundance Yu Sheng for S$88, a colorful arrangement of sashimi on a bed of shredded daikon. For a unique twist, Artemis provides a Silver and Gold yu sheng experience, featuring salmon and ikura or hamachi and Hokkaido scallop.
For those craving a Teochew spin, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine and Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine offer a Prosperity Yu Sheng that’s a vibrant mix of red carrots, preserved radish, and zesty plum sauce.
The Lunar New Year is a time of abundance, a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. Each dish served is a symbol of prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. Whether dining out or enjoying a feast at home, the essence of the celebration is the same: togetherness.
As families gather around tables laden with food, laughter fills the air. The clinking of chopsticks and the sharing of stories create a tapestry of memories that will last a lifetime. The Lunar New Year is not just about the food; it’s about the connections we forge and the traditions we uphold.
So, as the Year of the Dragon approaches, let’s embrace the spirit of the season. Let’s celebrate with food that nourishes the body and soul. Let’s gather around the table, raise our glasses, and toast to a year filled with prosperity and joy.
In the end, the Lunar New Year is a feast for the senses. It’s a culinary journey that brings us together, reminding us of the importance of family, tradition, and the joy of sharing a meal. Whether you’re dining at a lavish buffet or enjoying a cozy meal at home, the spirit of the celebration is alive in every bite.
Imagine a buffet that stretches as far as the eye can see. Hilton Singapore Orchard’s Estate is rolling out a feast fit for royalty. Whole roasted suckling pigs, five-spiced Australian beef brisket, and crispy pork belly are just the beginning. The buffet is a treasure trove of flavors, where every dish tells a story of tradition and celebration. For S$168 per person, diners can indulge in a smorgasbord that includes a live sashimi station and a cold seafood bar.
But the celebration doesn’t stop there. Conrad Singapore’s Oscar’s is also in the game, offering a Lunar New Year buffet starting at S$108. Here, global flavors meet local favorites. A DIY yu sheng bar invites diners to toss their own prosperity salad, while live stations serve up noodles and Hong Kong roast meats. The culinary landscape is rich and diverse, promising something for everyone.
For those who prefer the comfort of home, Beauty In The Pot has crafted a takeaway set that feeds five for S$368. It’s a steamboat experience in a box, complete with a portable gas stove and over 20 fresh ingredients. Imagine simmering US Kurobuta pork and Hokkaido pork belly in a rich broth, all while enjoying the company of loved ones.
Yang Ming Seafood is also offering take-home set menus, starting from S$838.80 for eight to ten people. The menu features abalone yu sheng and a rock lobster platter, ensuring that every bite is a celebration of flavor. For a more intimate gathering, Tablescape Restaurant and Bar’s Prosperity Set offers a delightful array of dishes for S$299, including honey soy sauce chicken and radish cake.
Pen cai, a traditional treasure pot, is a must-have for many families. Chef Ang Song Kang and chef Marvas Ng of Path have created a Harmony Pen Cai that’s a feast for the eyes and the palate. Priced from S$318, this dish is a layered masterpiece filled with kampong chicken, prawn rolls, and a crown of braised oysters and abalone.
Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant is not to be outdone, with menus starting at S$288 per person. Here, diners can savor braised superior bird’s nest soup and Alaskan king crab on steamed egg white. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, private rooms with dedicated banquet managers are available.
Crystal Jade Palace is another contender, offering set menus from S$198. Expect dishes like double-boiled wild yunzhi with fish maw and wok-fried Australian lobster. Meanwhile, Michelin-starred Summer Pavilion presents a menu starting at S$158, featuring steamed Dong Xing grouper and double-boiled chicken soup.
At Shangri-La Singapore, the festivities will be grand. On January 28, the Tower and Island ballrooms will host a dinner featuring a live stream of CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala. For S$188 per head, guests can enjoy an eight-course menu while watching one of the world’s most-watched television programs.
No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without yu sheng. Modern Japanese bistro Ginkyo by Kinki offers an Abundance Yu Sheng for S$88, a colorful arrangement of sashimi on a bed of shredded daikon. For a unique twist, Artemis provides a Silver and Gold yu sheng experience, featuring salmon and ikura or hamachi and Hokkaido scallop.
For those craving a Teochew spin, Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine and Zui Yu Xuan Teochew Cuisine offer a Prosperity Yu Sheng that’s a vibrant mix of red carrots, preserved radish, and zesty plum sauce.
The Lunar New Year is a time of abundance, a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. Each dish served is a symbol of prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. Whether dining out or enjoying a feast at home, the essence of the celebration is the same: togetherness.
As families gather around tables laden with food, laughter fills the air. The clinking of chopsticks and the sharing of stories create a tapestry of memories that will last a lifetime. The Lunar New Year is not just about the food; it’s about the connections we forge and the traditions we uphold.
So, as the Year of the Dragon approaches, let’s embrace the spirit of the season. Let’s celebrate with food that nourishes the body and soul. Let’s gather around the table, raise our glasses, and toast to a year filled with prosperity and joy.
In the end, the Lunar New Year is a feast for the senses. It’s a culinary journey that brings us together, reminding us of the importance of family, tradition, and the joy of sharing a meal. Whether you’re dining at a lavish buffet or enjoying a cozy meal at home, the spirit of the celebration is alive in every bite.