Where to buy the most addictive CNY snacks to munch on

Let’s be real. The best part about Chinese New Year celebrations isn’t dressing up for the #OOTDs or having reunion dinners. It’s about the CNY snacks and goodies like pineapple tarts, bak kwa, and love letters – the essentials of festive treats.

However, beyond traditional snacks, there are plenty of brands peppered across the island that are constantly thinking of ways to keep things interesting by thinking up unexpected flavours. This festive season, we’re about to indulge in the most irresistible CNY snacks, from classic staples to modern creations.

Read on to discover the most addictive CNY snacks to munch on all weekend and beyond.

Related: 20 shops to order bak kwa online and have it delivered so you can skip the CNY queue

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Handmade Pineapple Tarts

Kick off the festivities with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s very own Handmade Pineapple Tarts. Filled with thick, tangy pineapple jam, these must-have CNY treats are individually rolled and folded in with soft, buttery pastry, so they practically melt in your mouth.

This year, the brand has also rolled out cakes in all sorts of vibrant colours, so indulge in a Lychee Mango Layered Cake, Mandarin Orange Cashew Nut Cookie Cheesecake, Jaffa Orange Chocolate Layered Cake, and Mocha Latte Layered Cake. Don’t miss their fragrant Pandan Rainbow Kueh Lapis too.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Handmade Pineapple Tarts are available at S$12.90 per box (300g) in stores, while stocks last.

Gin Thye Crispy Crabstick Chips

cny snacks gin thye

Specialising in traditional Chinese wedding pastries, Gin Thye has been a go-to for its nostalgic baked goods since 1964. They’re picky about the ingredients used in their creations, which is what gives their goodies an even better taste and bite.

Munch on their tasty Cripsy Crabsticks Chips to fend off endless questions about your love life and career from nosy relatives. Gin Thye also offers a wide variety of CNY snacks, such as pineapple tarts, White Rabbit kuih bahulu, and melting almond cookies.

Gin Thye Crispy Crabstick Chips retail for S$12 per box at Lazada

Gold Mama Salted Egg Dragon King

cny snacks gold mama

Having been around for almost 20 years, Gold Mama sure knows a thing or two about creating yummy CNY snacks. Their CNY collection has over 30 varieties for you to choose from, but our pick has got to be the Salted Egg Dragon King.

Salty and fragrant with a creamy butter taste, these crispy dragon cakes melt in your mouth instantly. It’s one of the most addictive CNY delicacies you’ve got to try.

Gold Mama Salted Egg Dragon King retails for S$13.80 per box at Shopee

The Pine Garden Peach Pineapple Rolls

cny snacks the pine garden

Putting a fresh spin on the classic pineapple tart, The Pine Garden pairs pineapple jam with peaches to create its Peach Pineapple Rolls. The crumbly pink pastry will practically melt in your mouth, leaving you to savour its buttery taste. The delicate sweetness and tartness of the peaches go beautifully with the crunch of the pineapple bits.

Don’t forget to pick up a box of Cookies & Cream Kapit too. Filled with a bit of cookies and cream, these folded love letters are crispy delights to monch on throughout the long weekend.

The Pine Garden Peach Pineapple Rolls retail for $36 per box at The Pine Garden outlets and online

Raffles Pandan Kaya Tarts

cny snacks raffles kaya

An homage to Singapore’s most beloved flavours, Raffles Hotel Singapore’s Pandan Kaya Tarts are stuffed with rich coconut and pandan flavoured kaya jam. Baked within a light, savoury butter pastry, it creates the perfect, addictive bite-sized indulgence. You can enjoy them anytime as a delicious snack or as a gift for your family and friends.

As a delightful gift for your treasured friends, family, and business associates, you can send them auspicious Lunar New Year hampers from the Raffles Boutique. Exclusively created for Raffles Hotel Singapore, each hamper is inspired by the traditional Chinese lunch box and comes complete with intricate illustrations of the hotel’s iconic cast-iron portico.

Raffles Pandan Kaya Tarts retails for S$19.53 (box of 8) at Raffles Hotel Singapore

Janice Wong Chocolate Koi Set

cny snacks janice wong

Janice Wong is a name that’s synonymous with fancy chocolate, and the local dessert maestro doesn’t disappoint with her offerings for CNY. There’s the chocolate koi that’s hand-painted, coated in single-origin dark chocolate and filled with praline feuilletine and candied orange. Even better, the pair of koi comes encased in a gorgeous gold glass box, resembling a luxurious koi pond.

Additionally, her CNY snacks come in varieties such as chocolate bak kwa cookies, chocolate pineapple balls, and love letters with hazelnut dip. Best of all, you can gift CNY hampers to your loved ones! They’re filled with cookies, pineapple tarts, tea tins, and even wine or champagne.

Janice Wong Chocolate Koi Set retails for S$78 at Janice Wong’s online store.

Paris Baguette Royal Orange And White Chocolate Cookies

cny snacks paris baguette

Inspired by French butter cookies, Paris Baguette’s Royal Orange and White Chocolate Sable cookies are light and chewy with a refreshing citrusy aroma. Made with orange zest, the cookies are dotted with white chocolate chips, which give these treats lovely hints of creamy sweetness – perfect for those who have a sweet tooth.

Combined with almond powder, it creates an earthy blend of sweet and savoury cookies. These cookies are part of the brand’s Royal Lunar New Year Series. You’ll also find delightful cakes and teas on the menu to usher in the CNY festivities.

Paris Baguette Royal Orange And White Chocolate Cookies retail for S$16.80 per box on Grabfood and in stores. Available from now till 17 February 2021. 

The Marmalade Pantry Golden Pineapple Tarts

cny snacks the marmalade pantry

These delicately hand-rolled Golden Pineapple Tarts by The Marmalade Pantry are a classic staple that hits the sweet spot every time. With a balanced pineapple-to-pastry ratio, the slow-cooked pineapple filling is lightly spiced with aromatic hints of pandan and cinnamon. They’re all wrapped up in a pillowy, buttery pastry, transforming them into bite-sized orbs.

The Marmalade Pantry Golden Pineapple Tarts retail for S$24+ per box and are available at all outlets and online from 29 January 2021 to 26 February 2021.

Tai Sun Ah Ma Traditional Nonya Love Letters

cny snacks ah ma love letters

An essential Chinese New Year goodie, Tai Sun’s Ah Ma Traditional Nonya Love Letters are well-loved for its classic recipe that’s enjoyed by many. The love letters are housed in a nostalgic square red tin, making it an eye-catching addition to every snack table.

Tai Sun Ah Ma Traditional Love Letters retail for S$12.30 (400g) at all major supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Mad About Sucre Salted Egg Yolk Cookies

cny snacks mad about sucre

Known for their gorgeous, statement-making cakes, Mad About Sucre has launched a CNY collection, full of treats and festive favourites. Among them is the Salted Egg Yolk Cookies, which are made using only natural and organic ingredients. These artisanally handcrafted bites are housed in a matte, golden box, perfect for festive gifting.

Mad About Sucre Salted Egg Yolk Cookies retail for S$48 per box (48 pieces) at Mad About Sucre’s online store.

Xi Shi Sliced Mala Pork Bak Kwa

cny snacks xi shi mala

Years in, and we’re still obsessed with mala. From the hotpot soup bases to the fragrant stir-fry dishes, the numbing and spicy Chinese sauce that is key to Sichuan and Chongqing cuisine has won the collective hearts and numbed the tongues of Singaporeans everywhere.

If you love mala as much as we do, then you have to sink your teeth into some Mala Bak Kwa. These slices of pork are marinated with Sichuan mala spices, packing a savoury punch with every bite.

Xi Shi Sliced Mala Pork Bak Kwa retails for S$22.80 (500g) at Shopee

The Deli at Goodwood Park Hotel’s Bountiful Box of Sweet Blessings

cny snacks the deli

To usher in the Year of the Ox, The Deli at Goodwood Park Hotel has come up with new CNY snacks and lavish delicacies for all to enjoy. Pick up the Bountiful Box of Sweet Blessings, a collection of 15 petite tarts and cakes in a medley of flavours. In it, you’ll find chocolate almond tarts, pineapple crumble tarts, baked cheesecakes, orange chiboust cakes, and coffee vanilla sponge cakes.

Barbequed meat lovers will also love the bold smoky flavours of The Deli’s new Traditional Petite Chicken Bak Kwa. It features succulent minced chicken thigh that’s marinated with a fish sauce-based marinade.

The Deli at Goodwood Park Hotel’s Bountiful Box of Sweet Blessings retails for S$74.77 at Goodwood Park Festive. Available from now to 26 February 2021. 

Shangri-La Hotel Longevity Nian Gao Gift Box

cny snacks shangri-la hotel

Ideal for gifting or enjoying at home, Shangri-La Hotel’s Longevity Nian Gao Gift Box has six-piece of homemade nian gao and three pieces of cake. The treats come in bite-sized pieces and feature unique flavours such as black sesame; walnut and almond; oat, longan and black sugar; and purple and red rice. These treats are perfect for guests who seek variety or seasonal goodies made with nutritious ingredients.

Shangri-La Hotel Longevity Nian Gao Gift Box retails for S$48.80 online

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant Firecracker Pop

cny snacks jia wei

Located within Grand Mecure Singapore Roxy, Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant draws inspiration from home recipes and local ingredients. For Chinese New Year, they’ve come up with a range of CNY snacks, such as these Firecracker Pop cookies, which are made with mala spices and pork floss.

You’ll also want to check out other bites from the collection like the Tok Kong Hebe, Ginger Shiok, and Joy Kam Kam.

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant Firecracker Pop retails for S$26 a box at Jia Wei Restaurant’s online store.

Kele Rose Pineapple Tarts

cny snacks kele

Kele started out as a little confectionery decades ago, and now it’s bloomed into a go-to label for pineapple tarts. Of course, Kele doesn’t disappoint, with its variety of iconic CNY snacks in flavours such as rose, tangerine, cheese, matcha, sweet potato, and cocoa. Whether you prefer them flower-shaped or in golden-brown orbs, there’s something for everyone.

Their Rose Pineapple Tarts caught our eye with its cheery pink shade. Each tart is infused with rose to promise a sweet, floral experience, from nose to palate.

Kele Rose Pineapple Tarts retail for S$32.80 (30 tarts) at Kele’s outlets and online store