Bino

Yu sheng (鱼生) is an especially popular dish to have in Singapore during Chinese New Year. While the raw fish salad was thought to have originated somewhere in China, the yu sheng that we know today is a primarily Singaporean / Malaysian innovation.

Yu sheng is an especially symbolic dish with each ingredient representing something auspicious for the coming lunar new year. Highly competitive yu sheng offerings by hotels and Chinese restaurants have led to somewhat innovative ingredients, but at its heart, yu sheng traditionally includes the following: raw fish (usually salmon), pomelo, pepper, oil, carrots, green and white radish, peanut crumbs, sesame seeds, dressing (usually plum sauce) and finally, deep fried golden pillows.

Auspicious phrases are supposed to be uttered while each ingredient is being sprinkled into the salad. Tossing of yu sheng is known as lo hei. I won’t go into the specifics of the phrases to be uttered as my main aim here is to show you the best selection of yu sheng for this year. Without further ado, here are the top yu sheng to have in 2026:

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Pineapple tarts rank among the most popular type of CNY goodies. It is commonly offered to guests who visit during CNY or as gifts to loved ones and friends. In Singapore, there are a few types of pineapple tarts that one commonly finds – from open-faced pineapple tarts to pineapple balls to roll tarts or even Taiwan-style rectangular pineapple cakes. Whichever style you prefer, I aim to list some of the best pineapple tarts I have found for CNY 2026, for your perusal. This list will also be updated as the season progresses.

You can also join our newly-launched telegram channel here and receive updates on price drops, exclusive promotions not found anywhere else as well as flash deals for CNY goodies and other F&B promotions.

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Whether presented as gifts or left at home as snacks to offer guests, delectable goodies usually come to define CNY celebrations at home. These snacks are undoubtedly good to eat but there is actually a reason why people mainly have them during Chinese New Year. There are many popular CNY goodies and snacks and these are the major ones:

• Pineapple tarts – In Hokkien, pineapples are called “ong lai” which also means “luck is coming.” Because of this, pineapples are frequently displayed in homes during the Lunar New Year period and pineapple tarts / balls are frequently eaten or given as gifts as a means of bringing in the luck. You can check out my more detailed guide on this topic here.
• BBQ pork – This is probably the most sought after goodie to try during CNY, especially in Singapore. Although available year round, strips of BBQ pork are most popular during Chinese New Year because of their red color, symbolizing luck. This tasty snack also originated as an expensive food item and as such, people consume them during this period to signify prosperity for the coming year. You can check out my separate guide on the best BBQ pork to try in Singapore.
• Nian gao – Literally translated as the “year cake,” nian gao is usually eaten during Chinese New Year because its sticky and glutinous quality is traditionally believed in Chinese mythology to seal the Kitchen God’s mouth shut. Offering nian gao keeps him from badmouthing you to the Jade Emperor in his annual CNY report. 
• Shrimp rolls – Cylindrical-shaped snacks such as shrimp rolls are also popular during Chinese New Year. Their golden color coupled with the cylindrical shape are akin to gold bars and as such, symbolize wealth.
• Radish cake – This savory goodie is another popular food to eat during CNY because its Hokkien name (“chai tow”) sounds similar to the Hokkien word for prosperity and rising fortunes.

You can also join our newly-launched telegram channel here and receive updates on price drops, exclusive promotions not found anywhere else as well as flash deals for CNY goodies and other F&B promotions.

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The coming Chinese New Year in 2026 – the Year of the Horse – will fall on the 17th February 2026. Given the current situation, you can expect an abundant selection from some of the top Chinese restaurants and hotels for pen cai  for your reunion dinner. As with previous years, there are establishments offering takeaway or islandwide delivery services for Chinese New Year reunion dinners. If you choose to dine-in, try to reserve early as many of the popular restaurants get booked out weeks in advance. 

Pen cai or Poon Choi is a traditional Cantonese dish comprised of a number of ingredients including meat, seafood and vegetables. Contrary to popular belief in Singapore, pen cai is not just consumed during Chinese New Year by Cantonese communities. Traditionally, pen cai is eaten during major festivals, religious rituals and even wedding banquets. In Singapore however, it is mostly eaten during the Lunar New Year as a symbol of harmony.

Without further ado, I’ve tried my best to list them down here for your convenience. This list will be expanded over the next few days as new establishments come onboard with their pen cai for CNY 2026 so bookmark this page for future reference.

You can also join our telegram channel here and receive updates on price drops, exclusive promotions not found anywhere else as well as flash deals for CNY dishes and other F&B promotions.
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Bak Kwa or 肉干 is a form of dried meat that originated in China. A popular snack in Singapore, especially during the Chinese New Year season, the manufacturing of bak kwa entails preservation and the infusion of ingredients such as salt, sugar, sauces and spices thrown into the mix. In more recent years, bak kwa manufacturers have become more creative as well, infusing herbs, honey, chili and even minerals into the bak kwa to differentiate themselves from other brands. There has also been increased preference for more authentic looking bak kwa – which means less on the redness and the sugar.

Bak Kwa is extremely popular in Singapore, with some brands even ingrained internationally as being iconic of the Lion City. As such, it can be said that Singapore is at the forefront of innovation as well when it comes to this snack. Bak Kwa is also commonly used as an ingredient in some everyday dishes such as fried rice, claypot rice, etc; thus allowing it to a stand as a year round item even outside of Lunar New Year.

Some of the common types of bak kwa include:

• Sliced pork / beef / chicken / duck / lamb
• Chili sliced pork / beef / chicken / duck / lamb
• Coin-shaped slices using pork / beef/ chicken / duck / lamb
• Pork belly (think: similar to bacon but undergoing the same preservation and cooking technique as the usual bak kwa)
• Flavored bak kwa – can be infused with fruits, additional herbs, seaweed, minerals, etc

If you are wondering which is the best bak kwa to buy as an everyday snack or during Chinese New Year, I have tried to sum it up here for your convenience. You will find here the most comprehensive list of bak kwa in Singapore! Do note this list is not arranged in order. Most of these bak kwa brands also sell online and even deliver, giving an added convenience. For next Lunar New Year, you won’t need to waste a considerable amount of time queuing!

You can also join our newly-launched telegram channel here and receive updates on price drops, exclusive promotions not found anywhere else as well as flash deals for other CNY goodies and other F&B promotions.

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Tucked along Amoy Street, Hayop is where Filipino flavors are given both respect and attitude. Opened in mid-2024, this overseas outpost of the popular Filipino chain Manam has solidified itself as probably the best Filipino restaurant in Singapore. A couple of months before my visit, they were listed in the Michelin guide.

For those familiar with Manam in the Philippines, do take note – this is not nostalgia cooking, nor is it Filipino food diluted for comfort. It’s bold, confident and unapologetically rich, yet executed with a level of refinement that feels deliberate rather than showy. It’s deliberate in the sense that one could make out an attempt by the team to cater to the local palate, with twists that one does not find in Manam or in traditional interpretations of the dish in the Philippines. As such, the food here brings something new to both the Singapore dining public and to Filipinos residing here.

I have been to Manam a couple of times since they opened, as I’ve longed to find a decent Filipino restaurant Singapore for years but to no avail. Other than the fast-food joints I find in Lucky Plaza, I can’t seem to find those serving restaurant-standard food like those in the Philippines. Finally, there’s one.

As it’s been more than a year since they opened, the restaurant has introduced some new dishes to complement their bestsellers. I got to try some of the new dishes during my recent visit.

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