What they ate: Zi char favourites at Lai Bao

Yummy factor: Chen Liping’s gathering with friends at the zi char stall in Toa Payoh saw her tucking into appetite-whetting dishes like their signature fish head steamboat, chilli crab, and sweet and sour pork, which came in a darker-than-usual shade of brown, thanks to the black vinegar used. As for Ya Hui, she jested that the ginger steamed chicken (only $6!) they ordered was as smooth as her skin. Now that’s a must-try!

What she ate: Lobsters and pasta

Yummy factor: Happy belated birthday, Fann! The birthday girl, who turned 49 on Jan 27, visited seafood resto, Sa Tanca Crostaceria, in Rome with hubby Christopher Lee and Zed Zed. There, they tucked into a hearty meal of juicy lobsters and oodles of pasta, which looked absolutely amazing.

What she ate: Sushi, yusheng and fruit cake

Yummy factor: Over in Singapore, Rui En celebrated her 39th birthday (Jan 29) with pals Dennis Chew, Felicia Chin and Jeffrey Xu over a Japanese dinner and a very festive-looking cake topped with peonies and sakuras at Yoyogi restaurant. Speaking of cake, check out that ingenious "fruit cake" her fan club RBKD made her. Created entirely out of fruits (the cake base was carved out of two watermelons), the no-bake creation is definitely a guilt-free treat that’s just as sweet and delicious!

What she ate: Shoyu ramen for breakfast at Wakaba

Yummy factor: We feared for Constance's lungs as we watched her attempt — and fail — the "Japanese noodle slurp" while digging in to her piping bowl of ramen at the hidden gem at Tokyo's Tsukiji outer market. Well, at least she started the day right with "really good" ramen and got a steam facial while at it.

What she ate: Semla

Yummy factor: Gong xi fa cai! In place of traditional mandarin oranges, Kayly wished everyone a Happy New Year with a Swedish dessert, semla (filled with luscious whipped cream!), instead. Apparently, it’s a must-try for anyone visiting Stockholm — Kayly got hers from Grillska Huset.

​​​​​​​What he ate: Homemade lucky dumplings

Yummy factor: It looks like Lady Luck will be on Mark’s side in the Year of the Rat — he bit into the lucky coin buried in one of veteran actress Jin Yinji’s meaty guo tie dumplings!

What she ate: Steak at Smith and Wollensky in Taipei

Yummy factor: To celebrate her 45th birthday (Jan 28), Tanya decided that she would either go big or go home. That’d explain the huge slice of dark chocolate cake and giant slab of steak she devoured at the steakhouse. Too decadent!

What she ate: Korean army stew 

Yummy factor: Michelle satisfied her cravings for Korean food at O.BBa BBQ, and we love how the generously-sized Korean army stew she ordered came piled high with enoki mushrooms, chunks of luncheon meat and instant ramyeon. With her arms wrapped around herself, it almost looks like Michelle’s stopping herself from eating too much! 

What they ate: Wonton noodles

Yummy factor: Not only did Sharon’s kaya toast from Ya Kun tempt us, her lunch with Evelyn and Darren left us won-ting some... Together with the couple’s son Elliott, the trio caught up over bowls of yummy noodles, along with a plate of fried wontons (with dollops of mayonnaise and chilli!) to share. Perfect way to catch up, we say.

What she ate: Dumplings

Yummy factor: It sure looks like a huat year ahead for Belinda, who got busy wrapping trays and trays of ingot-shaped dumplings with her sister till the wee hours of the morning for CNY.

What she ate: Home-cooked feast

Yummy factor: For the second day of Chinese New Year, Yvonne whipped up a sumptuous dinner for her family from scratch — think scallops, steamed fish, a whole roast chicken, roast pork belly with chives and more — Alex Tien is a lucky man!

What she ate: Birthday desserts

Yummy factor: Happy 25th birthday, Ying Ying! Thanks to her fan club, Yingfinity, the starlet got to celebrate with the dreamiest floral-themed dessert table, complete with pastel-hued macarons, fruit tarts, and of course a gorgeous birthday cake topped with fresh roses and more macarons.

What she ate: Steamboat

Yummy factor: Simone showed off her culinary skills and closet domestic goddess side for CNY at her boyfriend’s place, where she single-handedly prepared a steamboat spread for loved ones, right down to the broth.

What she ate: Yusheng

Yummy factor: Ya Hui’s fan club waited patiently outside Mediacorp for their fave star to be done with the CNY countdown show so that they could have their annual lou hei session together.... on her car bonnet!

What she ate: New Year feast

Yummy factor: Xiaopei’s heavy meal at Famous Treasure featured the usual CNY must-haves and more — think steamed fish, succulent prawns, rich meats, and pen cai made all the richer with the infusion of dried oysters. Drool!

What she ate: Cheese tempura

Yummy factor: Say cheese! Aileen may not be in Singapore for Chinese New Year, but the food she’s having whilst holidaying in Japan has us all salivating as well — especially the freshly-fried skewer of tempura cheese. Plus, what’s there not to love about fresh seafood like scallops and salmon?

Photo: Instagram/@aileentan80

What she ate: Birthday cake

Yummy factor: Happy 29th birthday, Kim! We love how the 987 fam bam gifted the 29-year-old with the cutest marine-themed confection.

What she ate: Prawn noodles

Yummy factor: Never mind the cholesterol - check out the huge serving of prawn noodles Jade had over the long festive weekend! It was dished out on a plate at least twice the size of her face.

What she ate: Singapore-style yusheng

Yummy factor: We’re loving Vivian’s version of the ubiquitous yusheng — think refreshing ingredients with lots of crunch like cherry tomatoes, cranberries, walnuts, fresh lettuce, and crispy crackers.

What he ate: Love letters

Yummy factor: Not only did Zijie polish off his own pair of mandarin oranges (after he was done with visiting, of course!), he made sure to tuck into festive goodies like the box of crisp love letters he’s holding on to. They look a little pale, though.