SINGAPORE (Jan 21): Chinese New Year is all about family and friends, good wishes, and of course, the food. Here are some festive feasts to usher in the fortune-filled year of the pig.
Rich Blessings
Sofitel Singapore City Centre is putting a western twist into the traditional Yu Sheng. The brainchild of Executive Chinese Chef Andrew Chong, the Racines’ Auspicious Yu Sheng is a medley of pickled chayote, cornichon and kohlrabi which coalesces with shredded celeriac, finger lime caviar and homemade cured trout fillet. And instead of the typical plum sauce you would find in most traditional Yu Sheng, Chef Andrew has tied the ingredients together with a healthy dressing of black garlic.
Another Pièce de Résistance by Chef Andrew is the Seafood Abalone Treasure Pot with Braised Cabbage and Black Moss (Pen Cai). This pot comprises abalone, sea cucumber, king prawn, Hokkaido scallop, fried oyster, flower mushroom, fish maw, roasted pork, roasted French duck breast, truffles, Chinese gluten and black moss. This rather big serving of festive goodies is good for up to 10 people.
The dishes mentioned are available for dine-in from Jan 14 and take away from Jan 21 at Racines in Sofitel Singapore City Centre. Online bookings can be made here.
Best Wishes
In the year of the pig, the chefs at Goodwood Park hotel have pulled out all the stops to introduce a slew of savoury pork-centric Abundant Feasting Specials fit for a kingly feast – Prosperity Duo of Deep-fried Pork Knuckle and Slow-baked Honey Butter Ribs; Braised Pork Belly with Pan-fried Lotus Root Pork Patties and Sea Treasures in Claypot; and Slow-braised Pig’s Trotter with Abalone and Sea Treasures in Claypot.
The Abundant Feasting Specials will be available for takeaway from The Deli and Min Jiang (Goodwood Park Hotel and 5 Rochester Park) from Jan 18 to Feb 19.
Blossoming Treasures
At Pan Pacific Singapore, celebrate the Chinese New Year with an array of festive specialties at its award-winning restaurants – Hai Tien Lo, Edge (main image), Keyaki and Pacific Marketplace.
Helmed by new executive Chef Ben Zheng, indulge in the seven auspiciously-named celebratory menus showcasing the finest Cantonese delicacies at Hai Tien Lo. Each menu represents wealth, success, abundance, harmony or prosperity. Using only the finest ingredients, look forward to savouring traditional fare such as Braised Swiflet’s Nest with Crab Meat in Thick Broth and creative interpretations including the Stewed Inaniwa Udon with Lobster in Superior Soya Sauce.
The celebratory menu is available at Hai Tien Lo from Jan 21 to Feb 19 from $138.30 per person with a minimum of six diners. A vegetarian set menu is also available at $128.80++ per person.
Lasting Prosperity
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat meal featuring roasts from The Carvery at Park Hotel Alexandra. Expect to find The Carvery’s version of a traditional Italian Pork Porchetta (available for dinner only, except on Feb 5 & 6) that is stuffed with rich salted egg paste, aromatic curry leaves and chopped chilli padi for that extra oomph.
And for beef lovers, the Australian Dry Aged Beef Prime Ribs (available for dinner during weekends only) is a must have. The premium ribs are dry aged with a light seasoning of salt for at least 14 days, then slow cooked for five hours before finishing off in a wood fire oven. The succulent and tender ribs are then paired with house-made red wine sauce or veal jus.
The Italian Pork Porchetta is available only for dinner, except on Feb 4 & 5, while the Dry Aged Beef Prime Ribs are only available for dinner on weekends.
Joyous Reunions
At The Fullerton Hotel’s Cantonese restaurant Jade, executive chef Leong Chee Yeng has curated six festive menus culminating in the eight-course Grand Fullerton Golden Feast.
Expect premium top-shelf ingredients such as lobster, suckling piglet, caviar and bird’s nest in the luxurious Chinese New Year feast. The star of the show is the Gold Rush Yu Sheng featuring lobster, Australian abalone and Norwegian salmon, which takes an hour and a half just to artfully plate this dish.
Available from Jan 21 to Feb 19, the Grand Fullerton Golden Feast is priced at $2,388 for 10 persons and orders should be made at least two days in advance.
Great Health
Usher in the Chinese New Year with a healthy eight-course menu from Elemen that is also great for vegetarians. The Prosper-licious 8-course menu features Sour Plum Cherry Tomatoes in a homemade plum sauce, Double-boiled Truffle Soup, Homemade Soft Edamame Tofu with Pan-fried Oyster Mushrooms, Yam Ring with Assorted Vegetables, Apple Cider palate cleanser, Lotus Rice with Porcini Mushrooms, Golden Nian Gao with Coconut Ice Cream and freshly brewed Iced Osmanthus Red Tea.
The Prosper-licious 8-course menu is available for dine-in only till Feb 19, at $42.80++ per pax.
Everlasting Relationships
Chinese New Year is all about gatherings with family and friends, as well as lots of food. This year of the pig, check out Brotzeit’s Chinese New Year menu boasting an all-pork selection.
Brotzeit’s crowd pleaser would be its “Prosperity” Brotzeitplatte, which is good for a party of six to eight. Truly a spread to behold, this large platter features Golden Roasted Pork Belly with moist bread stuffing, Brotzeit’s signature crispy Pork Knuckle, a Duo of Ribs marinated with Bavarian Honey sauce and Apple Cider with Chilli Flakes, and premium German Sausages (Thüringer, Nürnberger, Pork Cheese and Spicy Pork Bratwurst). It also comes with sides of Sweet Potato Fries, Creamy Chinese Cabbage, and Sautéed Garlic Mushrooms.
Brotzeit’s Chinese New Year menu can be found in all its outlets or order it online and have it sent to your doorstep here.
Endless Wealth
Here’s another porky delight – 3 Treasures Porky Yu Sheng from The Butcher’s Kitchen. Unlike any other, this yusheng spots three key ingredients: golden roast pork belly, char siew and fried pork lard. On top of everything, the yusheng is topped with The Butcher’s Kitchen’s very own freshly made chips for that extra crunch.
The 3 Treasures Porky Yu Sheng serves eight to 10 persons and is priced at $38.80.
Good Fortune
Feast your way to prosperity with premium abalone delicacies over at Resorts World Sentosa. The celebrity chefs at RWS restaurants have come up with several tantalising ways to prepare the prized abalone. Some of the dishes include Ah Sam Abalone Mee Sua Braised with Sri Lanka Crab Meat in Superior Chicken Stock by Forest; Grilled Live Abalone and Sea Urchin with Truffle Salt by TEPPAN by Chef Yonemura; and Australian Fresh Abalone accompanied with Golden Oyster Dumpling by Feng Shui Inn.
Other abalone delicacies are also available at Fratelli Trattoria, CURATE, Osia Steak and Seafood Grill, Tangerine, Sessions, Ocean Restaurant and Syun.
Wonderful Memories
Andaz Singapore is ushering in the year of the pig with a series of lavish feasts and festive takeaway goodies at Auntie’s Wok and Steam, and Pandan.
At Auntie’s Wok and Steam, the festive menu highlights include Whole Boston Lobster Egg Noodle, Saffron Fried Rice with Cantonese Cured Sausage, Claypot Braised Eight-head Abalone and a traditional Lunar New Year must-have: Braised Dong Po Belly.
Grab your Chinese New Year goodies and snacks at Pandan. Try the limited edition Yuzu Pandan Chiffon Cake. With a moist pandan chiffon core, the cake is glazed in red features a zesty and piquant yuzu mousse topped with drizzles of orange.
The sharing menus at Auntie’s Wok and Steam start from $288 for four persons to $588 for eight persons. The Yuzu Pandan Chiffon Cake starts at $5.50 for a small cake to $38 for a large cake.
Successful Business
It is customary for many businesses to have a pre-Chinese New Year appreciation dinner for all staff. This tradition carries a special meaning to most Chinese businessmen, as a way to thank their staff for their work for the year and to usher a great business year ahead. This year, Hilton Singapore is introducing a package for large gatherings from 50 to 500 guests, a great location to have your company’s appreciation dinner.
The package includes a seven- or eight- course menu of your choice, free flow of soft drinks, a goodie bag, stage set-up, parking coupons and a fresh floral centrepiece for every table.
Prices start from $708++ per table (minimum booking of five tables) for a seven-course Chinese set menu. For reservations, visit Hilton’s website here.
