Chinese New Year snacks sum up the reason for the season. Although that might feel a lot like yesteryear’s happenings, the new year brings about another excuse to cave into our cravings. From savoury to the sweet, the options are limitless out there. And in case you’re feeling slightly weary of the run-of-the-mill options out there, set your sights on these artisanal treats instead. With unique creations and even bites for the gluten-intolerant, Vogue Singapore breaks down our curated list for this auspicious time, below.
Fupi
The average chip is traded in for crispy beancurd skin at Fupi, but that doesn’t make it any less addictive. Boasting of zero preservatives, each and every fermented soybean chip is very well-enhanced with well-loved flavours like Sichuan Mala and another strong contender, Hot Pot Tomato. It’s the trusty Asian snack you can count on, even beyond the festivities.
Orders can be placed here.
The Crane Grain
Chinese New Year snacks always involve a good pineapple tart in the rotation. Think a soft, melty buttery pastry encasing a piquant pineapple filling that’s dialled back on the sweet factor. The Crane Grain’s version features hand-grated pineapple that’s cooked over eight hours under the mighty hand of a 20-year-old recipe handed down from the founder’s mother.
Orders can be placed here.
Olsen Bakehouse
Behind Olsen Bakehouse, is a husband-wife duo, whose passion lies in bakes that they would bake for their loved ones. This Chinese New Year, expect the line-up—from laksa, orange chocolate chip, to the fragrant cereal-not-prawn cookies. These are flavours that remain unique to their brand’s repertoire, and if you’re really keen, enquire for their seaweed cookies via their Instagram DMs. You know the drill.
Orders can be placed here.
Roa
Wonderfully vegan and gluten-free, Roa (pronounced as Row-uh) is a prime example of how chocolate can still taste like chocolate, despite eschewing eggs and dairy. Touted for their decadent chocolate cookies with a crumbly texture, the small business has a knack for serving their bakes in minimalist clean packaging. It doesn’t hurt that it looks so pretty to serve up—to your newly-minted in-laws?
Orders can be placed here.
The Tartlery
To curb the incessant binge, opt for something other than bite-sized. Masterchef Asia finalist Sandrian Tan’s intricate tarts at The Tartlery get the Chinese New Year do-over—with two limited-edition flavours, Koi and Pineapple Tarte. The former is a stunning interpretation of the symbolic fish made of grapefruit and pomelo atop a white chocolate mousse base with Osmanthus gel. The latter certainly isn’t your average pineapple tart, but instead, the sizeable sphere is filled with lemon-infused cheesecake then layered with homemade pineapple jam, before topping off with Pina Colado cream.
Orders can be placed here.
