Add some “wow” to your Chinese New Year snack table with these gourmet goodies. By Christa Choo
Add some “wow” to your Chinese New Year snack table with these gourmet goodies. By Christa Choo
Rainbow kueh lapis ($52)
How’s this for a fun take on the regular layered cake? Indulge your inner child with a multicoloured version of kueh lapis that’s redolent with spices like nutmeg and five-spice powder. Available at Hai Tien Lo (Level 3 Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffl es Boulevard, tel: 6826-8240, www.pacificmarketplace.sg)
Green tea mochi with lotus paste and macadamia nuts ($58 for a set of 16 pieces)
The popular Japanese snack gets a healthier remake with a lotus paste filling that has less sugar, and a macadamia nut centre, cocooned within a shell of ground mochigome (glutinous rice) and dusted with a vibrant jade-hued green tea powder. Chewy and crunchy at the same time, this is one snack you won’t be able to stop munching on.
Available at Cherry Garden (Level 4 Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffl es Avenue, tel: 6338-0066, www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore)
Jasmin (from $9.50 for a petit cake)
This unique chiff on cake comprising jasmine flower mousse, walnut sesame nougatine, droplets of osmanthus gel and mango jelly is a perfect example of an East-meets-West treat done right. A bowl-shaped “blossom”, made of white chocolate and cradling snow fungus and wolfberries, forms the cake’s crowning glory.
Available at Antoinette (30 Penhas Road, tel: 6293-3121, www.antoinette.com.sg; #02-33/34 Mandarin Gallery, tel: 6836-9527; Level 1 Sofitel So Singapore, 35 Robinson Road, tel: 6701-6868)
Durian nian gao roll ($28 for two rolls)
This resembles a Swiss roll, but is actually homemade D24 durian paste – silky smooth and fragrant – enveloped within rolled layers of gula melaka-infused nian gao and topped with coconut gakes. A must for durian lovers!
Available at Min Jiang (Level 1 Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd, tel: 6730-1704, http://festivepromotions.goodwoodparkhotel.com) and Min Jiang at One-North (5 Rochester Park, tel: 6774-0122)
Traditional nonya tarts (kueh tair) : ($38 for a tin of six tarts)
Pineapple tarts are a regular sight during Chinese New Year, but these authentic Peranakanstyle tarts, or kueh tair, by Saint Francis Enterprise are in a league of their own. Measuring 8cm in diameter, each is made by hand using a family recipe passed down from the chef-owner’s greatgrandmother, and takes 10 minutes to construct. We love the tangy-sweet jam and the biscuit base that’s full of bite.
Available at True Blue Cuisine (49 Armenian Street, tel: 6440-0449, www.truebluecuisine.com) and True Blue Pantry (Level 1 Peranakan Museum, 39 Armenian Street, tel: 6337-7514)
