Bite Sized Beef: The Best Picks for Lunar New Year Celebrations

Cally Cheung

25 January 2022 at 10:32 pm·11-min read

With new (or not) restrictions for the upcoming celebrations, we are settling on the one constant that has been with us throughout the pandemic: food.

Whether your approach is more traditional with classic dishes like longevity noodles and dumplings, or more adventurous with creative yu shengs and pastries, it is a bona fide celebration of food in abundance so our list spans three different categories, ranging from family friendly picks, intimate groups, or the one who is always on the go. Here’s to 15 days of extreme feasting, drinking, and laughing towards a better year for all.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Neo Garden

With one of the most eye-catching yu sheng designs for the auspicious season, Neo Garden’s selection of classic and latest dishes delights with equal attention to detail and proportion. For Chinese New Year, they have launched more than 15 different yu sheng choices, 11 set menus catering all the way to families of 15, and over 50 dishes.

The Golden Tiger Yu Sheng is vibrantly constructed with vegetables and lifted with their house sauces, making it a treat as an appetiser and a highlight for the camera. Highlights that make fantastic reunion dinner additions include the Chicken Katsu with Mantou DIY as crispy chicken patties slathered in their house yuzu mayo and soft steamed buns can never go wrong; the classic Truffle Roast Duck; and the new spicy trio Sambal Abacus Seed of yam, purple sweet potato, and pumpkin—each spoonful introduces these warm pillows coated with the fragrance of hae bee hiam.

When? Now till 20 Feb

Available on their website

Din Tai Fung

What better way to roar into the new year than with Din Tai Fung’s signature Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng and a side of xiao long baos?

Two often overlooked factors make their yu sheng stand apart from the rest, with the first being their carefully selected ingredients, from the Norwegian smoked salmon to the in-house signature auspicious plum dressing that is delicately balanced with just the right perfect amount of sweetness. The second? They use Crispy Yam Strips in place of the traditional golden crackers, and these add a nice subtle fragrance to everything. You can also top up for the Fried Salmon Skin for additional crunch or, for those just coming off Veganuary, turn the yu sheng into a vegetarian one, served without pickled scallions and smoked salmon.

When? Now till 15 Feb

Available at their outlets islandwide

YUN NANS

Known for their distinct edge to the usual Chinese fare, YUN NANS add a nutritious twist to the celebrations by spotlighting the delicacies of Yunnan Solo Black Garlic and Hakka Preserved Vegetables.

For those dining in, there are up to 6 different set menus catering for up to families of 8, with 7 to 9 dishes each that range from their classic selection to seasonal exclusives. There is also a special takeaway set designed for 4 to 6 pax, with four highlights from the other sets: the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng, Prosperity Treasure Hotpot, Steamed Glutinous Rice, and Traditional Salt baked Chicken. The second is their version of pen cai in a bubbling hot pot, where the usual suspects of pork belly, abalone, mushrooms, yam, and more are cooked in a drinkable golden broth base of Jinhua ham, old hens, carrots, and other porky goodness.

Save room for the Black Garlic Kampong Chicken Soup as each sip is testament to the restaurant’s mastery in teasing out flavours for excellent soups. The fermented black garlic is served as a solo clove for each individual portion and pairs excellent with the light and clear flavours of the kampong chicken, dried scallop, cordyceps flower, and bamboo pith. The other highlight is their Steamed Glutinous Rice as it uses the best Hakka preserved vegetables from Dabu County and balances out the richness of the other accompaniments.

When? Now till 15 Feb

Available at their outlets islandwide

Golden Pillow 933

There is nothing as nostalgic as breaking open the iconic Golden Pillow 633 buns and finding rich, golden curry housed inside the fluffy bread. Fresh from the oven this year, the Golden Dusted Charcoal Pillow Bun with Curry Abalone Chicken is a people-pleaser as it adds five juicy pieces of abalone into the signature gravy. Add on their Prosperity Yuzu Plum Sauce Abalone Yusheng with Curry Pok Chui Biscuit for the full experience—their homemade crackers is only subtly spiced but goes well with their tart yuzu plum sauce.

When? Now till 28 Feb

Available on their website

Springtime Bazaar

Not strictly a restaurant but even better as the Springtime Bazaar by The Refectory and Angliss Marketplace is a week-long event featuring some of the best gourmet products for bountiful and prosperous celebrations ahead.

Designed as a one-stop consumer event for one’s shopping needs throughout the season, expect a wide selection of food, snacks, and beverages that hail from Japan, France, Australia, and more, along with our homegrown brands. Some items we are already adding to our wishlist are the decadent Abundance Pencai from The Refectory, REGALO’s bundles with Sachi Soy wine and Iberico Bak Kwa, and Dessert Story’s Carrot Cake.

When? 23 to 30 Jan

The Refectory, 351 Braddell Rd, #01-01, S579713

WITH A BANG

CÉ LA VI

Usher in the new year with flair over at CÉ LA VI as their exclusive six-course menu is designed for maximum decadence. Each dish is named after auspicious Chinese wishes: the Prosperity calls for abundance with the yu sheng of fresh salmon, honey plum sauce and lotus chips; the Longevity promotes good health with the exquisite Hokkadio Scallop Ceviche & Clam with Baeri Oscietra Caviar, seasoned in yuzu koshu for a nice contrast.

These are followed by Luck, which comes in the form of Coconut Saffron Mussel Cappuccino, Harmony in grilled King Prawns, Wealth captured by tender A5 Kagoshima Wagyu Beef, and Love when the tiger-inspired dessert comes out, made with jasmine tea cremeux, orange pineapple marmalade and biscuit sponge. For extra drama, opt for the extra Black Winter Truffle top up to elevate all the dishes.

When? Now till 6 Feb

Only available for dine-in

1 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Hotel, Tower 3, S018971

MO Bar

Afternoon teas are underrated as a meal genre so take a moment from the upcoming celebrations to check in with MO Bar’s Oriental Afternoon Tea Experience. Renowned for their unique cocktails, their afternoon tea sets provide the perfect balance of elegance and tranquillity from the wide range of teas, the gorgeous space, and delicious nibbles.

With a mix of local flavours, expect an array of scrumptious bites such as the Crispy Prawn Ball generously coated with cereal egg floss and drizzled with salted egg mayonnaise, along with Mala Toast and creamy chicken mousseline topped with scallions. For a zesty and spicy punch, delight in the Honey-Glazed Chicken Wrap with Asian pickles and sriracha, and aromatic Char Siew Pork on brioche with cucumber and glazed pineapple. Save room for the Mandarin Orange Marmalade with citrus mousse; Ong Lai Crunchy Choux jazzed up with pineapple compote and delectable Bak Kwa Floss Scone as well!

When? Now till 2 Feb

Available for dine-in or takeaway

Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Ave, S039797

15 Stamford by Alvin Leung

If you have been a guest of the stunning Capitol Kempinski Hotel, you would have no doubt dined at 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung and experienced its well-rounded excellence. The restaurant recently launched two exclusive menus: for lunch, the Mandarin Orange Cured Salmon and Bak Kwa Toast set things off on a high, while the mains of Wild Atlantic Sardine with Pat Chun chicory or Braised Angus Beef Neck drives home the message of abundance. There are three more courses for the dinner menu, with treasures like the Alaskan King Crab, Scottish Lobster Dumpling, and a Pandan Nian Gao to wrap things up.

When? Now till 15 Feb

Available for dine-in & takeaway

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, 15 Stamford Rd, S178906

FOR THE GANG

Long Da Ge

Mark the name Long Da Ge because it will soon be as ubiquitous as its founding brand, Golden Moments, is to the local durian season. Taking a different route from the sweet, rich, and pungent delights of the fruit, Long Da Ge introduces a masterful recipe of fire and spice that is dangerously addictive.

The newly launched line of Mala Xiao Long Xia brings together the national love for mala and childhood prawn crackers. The recipe takes a leaf from an authentic Sichuan Mala recipe originating from China in the 19th century, and the tantalising cracker is made with fresh small lobster that accentuates the rich lobster flavour of the classic Singaporean snack. Each bite packs a significant amount of heat but it is certainly tasty with the intricate spices used and the conveniently sized crackers—perfect for film evenings or as alternative door gifts!