The best gift and snack ideas for Chinese New Year 2023
Every year, we gather over Lunar New Year to celebrate the coming traditional arrival of Spring and bask in the joy of reunion and growth. As we look forward to another year of gatherings and excited festivities, we inevitably also start looking out for the right gifts to show the important ones our appreciation and care. If you’re looking out for ideas on where to eat, we’ve got you covered with this list of Chinese New Year goodies.
For many of us, CNY is also a magical time of year where we suddenly become huge Mahjong fans. Like a long tradition, arranging to spend time over the mahjong table will become a new norm for that period, turning Mahjong into an iconic CNY pleasure. Specially for the real fans though, Baker’s Brew presents exclusive Mahjong-themed cake designs this CNY for us to put an auspicious centrepiece on the table this festive period. From their Heng Heng Mahjong Number Cake, Heng Heng Mahjong Table, to Heng Heng Mahjong Cupcakes, the unique treat will surely put a smile on your faces.
A fresh contender in the local scene, JU Signatures has steadily been gaining a following with their mouth-watering Cantonese cuisine. Celebrating their first Lunar New Year, their selection of CNY goodies include the adorably handcrafted pink-and-white Bunny Yam Snowskin Buns & Pineapple Ingots, alongside tasty treats like their Fortune Abalone Carrot Cake, Abundance Lap Mei Yam Cake, and Original Nian Gao with Coconut Milk that’ll definitely elevate any feast this Chinese New Year.
Constantly coming up with new ways to refresh the way we experience pastries and exquisite bakes, La Levain joins in on the CNY festivities this year with the launch of artisanal goodies in 12 unique flavours. For lovers of buttery cookies, look out for their Almond Hazelnut, Bobochacha, Cacio e pepe, Cacao Barry Chocolate Chip 55% Hazelnut, Fleur de Cao 70% with Fleur de Sel, Macadamia Butter, and Premium Pistachio cookies! Alternatively, try their Grade A Uji Matcha German Cookies or the Korean-inspired Kim Cheese Cookies. Of course, they also have traditional melt-in-your-mouth Pineapple Balls, alongside the most unique pineapple balls this Chinese New Year: the Osmanthus Pineapple Ball.
In celebration of the Year of the Rabbit, the homegrown Mdm Ling Bakery presents their Blooming Spring Collections, taking inspiration from bunnies frolicking in picturesque gardens. Highlights include the quintessential Steps to Prosperity bundle, filled with 12 tubs of their signature cookies presented with intricately-carved primrose-pink wooden trays. Fans of their kueh lapis can also go for the Layers to Success Kueh Lapis Set featuring 4 local flavours, or give their new offerings a go with tasty renditions of Traditional Nanyang Love Letters, Salted Caramel Almond Cookies, Nostalgic Nyonya Coconut Cookies, Hojicha Butter Cookies, and tomato-flavoured King Crowns.
Making a name for themselves with their delicious and authentic Teochew confectionery, Thye Moh Chan puts tradition at the forefront this CNY with their range of exceptional treats this year, including the popular Bak Kwa Tau Sar Piah, Golden Joy pastry, Walnut Cookie, Fortune Yam and Prosperity Pumpkin cakes. Looking for something new? Go for their newly launched Love Letter!
For some of the most impressive gifts this year, look towards the award-winning Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant and their line-up of luxurious CNY goodies, including their famous Golden Nian Gao Tarts. Launching a new flavour this year, fans will not want to miss out on the Cempedak Custard flavour, alongside the time-tested Purple Sweet Potato, Pineapple, and Yam flavours. Other exquisite handcrafted goodies to look out for include the Koi Fish Osmanthus Water Chestnut Cake, Koi Fish Fresh Mango Pudding, Osmanthus with Red Dates Rice Cake, or go straight for the luscious Wan Hao Eight Treasures Imperial Pot with Bird’s Nest and Wan Hao Imperial Pot of Prosperity Pen Cai.