8 Local Celebs Recommend Their Favourite Chinese New Year Goodies

Fave CNY Snack: Bee Cheng Hiang’s Sliced Bak Kwa (currently $55 for 1kg)

“I love bak kwa. I can eat it by the kilo during Chinese New Year, and I don’t really control myself as it’s a once-a-year affair (laughs). Sometimes, I put it between slices of bread and have it as a sandwich. On other occasions, I heat it up in the microwave oven before eating it. Very tasty!”

Bee Cheng Hiang, 49 outlets, including Bugis Village, 239 Victoria St. Tel: 6334-3958. www.beechenghiang.com.sg.

Fave CNY snacks: Bengawan Solo’s Cassava Cheese Cookies ($19.80) & Kim Peng Hiang’s Pineapple Bak Kwa ($24 for 500g)

“I like [Bengawan’s] cheese cookies’ crispiness and the way it melts in your mouth. Pineapple and barbecued pork are a match made in heaven, and Kim Joo Guan’s bak kwa meat is really tender. Also, I like my own homemade pineapple tarts, because I can control the sweetness and buttery texture! But I don’t sell them as I don’t have the time. Once, I actually made and sold them at a friend’s cafe, but [it was so labour-intensive that] I got scared after that experience (laughs).”

Cassava Cheese Cookies from Bengawan Solo, 43 outlets including #B4-35 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, S6238-2090. www.bengawansolo.com.sg. Pineapple Bak Kwa from Kim Peng Hiang, 465 Changi Rd, S419886. Tel: 6742-6853. www.facebook.com/Kim-Peng-Hiang-149152102649.

Fave CNY snacks: Chinatown’s Festive Street Bazaar’s Black Watermelon Seeds & Bee Cheng Hiang’s Sliced Bak Kwa (currently $55 for 1kg)

“I enjoy all kinds of Chinese New Year snacks, especially bak kwa (Chris is a Bee Cheng Hiang ambassador) and black watermelon seeds." I also like pineapple tarts and love letters! In the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, I’d go to the Chinatown food bazaar with my wife and son to taste and buy the festive goodies myself. I’m particular in that way, as I want to make sure that the snacks I serve to my guests are yummy. I also want my son to bask in the festive vibes at the bazaar as I really like the atmosphere there. We’ve been bringing him there for the past few years and we want to make it our yearly tradition till he grows up (smiles).”

Black watermelon seeds can be bought at Chinatown Festive Street Bazaar, till Feb 15; more details at www.chinatownfestivals.sg. Bak kwa at Bee Cheng Hiang stores islandwide.

Fave CNY snack: His mum’s homemade pineapple tarts

“I’m so addicted to pineapple tarts that I can finish five big tubs by myself in the few weeks leading up to the first day of Chinese New Year. It’s because of how addicted I am that my mum went to learn how to make pineapple tarts five years ago. Her pineapple tarts are so good that my colleagues asked me if they could buy them. However, it’s not for sale as she doesn’t make a big batch each year.”

Alas, Mama Ng’s tarts aren't for sale. Try these delish block-shaped ones ($26.50 a box of 10) from Sunny Hills instead, #B2-27A Ngee Ann City (Tower B), Takashimaya Shopping Centre. Tel: 8522-9605. www.sunnyhills.com.tw

Fave CNY snacks: Kueh Lapis and Kueh Bangkit (no preferred brands)

“My mum used to make kueh lapis at home, and I think it allowed me to see how much work is put into making this cake, so I appreciate it a lot more now. My sister and I like to eat kueh bangkit, too. I dip it in kopi-o kosong, ’cos I think it tastes best that way! During Chinese New Year, I just eat whatever I want and I’ll usually put on some weight (chuckles). It’s okay though, I can lose the extra kilos afterwards!”

Try the yummy Original Spice Kueh Lapis from Ollella ($21), 3 Petain Rd, #01-01 Residences@Somme, S208108. Tel: 6291-4076. www. ollella.com/. Kueh Bangkit can be bought at Bengawan Solo outlets islandwide.

Fave CNY snack: Fragrance’s Sliced Bak Kwa ($54 for 1kg)

“I like bak kwa so much that when one of my overseas friends was in town, we went to Chinatown to sample bak kwa from all the different brands! (Laughs) The bak kwa from Fragrance came out tops in that taste test because there was a nice balance to it­ — it wasn’t overly sweet or too charred, and the meat was still moist and tender.”

Fragrance, 37 outlets, including #B2-39 Ang Mo Kio Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3. Tel: 6483-7085. www.fragrance.com.sg.

Fave CNY snacks: Love Letters and Bak Kwa (no preferred brands)

“Since I was young, I’ve always enjoyed eating love letters as my mum’s friend would make them for us. I’d watch her make it — I found it so interesting that you can create such a delicious snack from just from flour, eggs and coconut milk. I like bak kwa too. I usually go all out and eat all the snacks during Chinese New Year. I can always work off the calories after that!”

We recommend the the love letters ($26 a jar) from Baker’s Well, 35 East Coast Rd. Tel: 6348-6864. www.bakerswell.com. Bak kwa at Bee Cheng Hiang stores islandwide.

Fave CNY snack: Felita’s Kitchen’s Spicy Salted Egg Yolk Potato Chips ($13.90)

"It’s made by this home-based cook [who’s a secretary by day]. It’s the best! Crispy potato chips slathered generously with creamy salted egg yolk and a sprinkle of chilli padi and curry leaves. It’s very moreish, spicy and not sweet like many other salted egg chips out there. Once I start, I cannot stop. I can easily wallop half a bottle in one sitting! [Ed’s note: Indeed, we’ve tried the potato chips and it’s awesome]. Growing up, my mum never allowed me to eat a lot of snacks at home, so maybe that’s why I’m a snack monster now. We’d go to my uncle’s house and I’d be in snack heaven with love letters and pineapple tarts. I usually drink coconut water or burdock root tea to ease the ‘heatiness’ from the CNY goodies.”

Felita’s Kitchen, to order, call 9090-6237 or e-mail felitaskitchen [at] gmail.com.