Welcome The Lunar New Year With These 8 Delicious Treats

The Lunar New Year is a big celebration, especially in places that believe in the luck and opportunities it brings. It’s a time for families to gather and eat together, and even give each other gifts for prosperity for the coming year. With the good characteristics believed to be tied to the Year of the Dragon, food brands are releasing special Lunar New Year items for individuals to bring home and gift some luck for the new year.

So if you’re still looking for what to serve or gift for the upcoming festivities, worry no more because we got you! Check out this list of 8 food and drink options you can pick up to bring in the luck for the new year.

Limited-edition Chinese New Year food to try

Limited edition food to welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon.

1. Nesuto Pineapple Tarts

Nesuto Pineapple Tarts.

Pineapple tarts are a usual treat during the Lunar New Year. This is because Hokkiens believed the pineapple was an auspicious fruit, and its Hokkien translation ‘ong lai’ means “fortune come”.

So, just in time for the Lunar New Year, local patisserie Nesuto released their own delectable version of the well-loved treat. Three unique flavours of the pineapple tarts were created — all with less sugar and no additives — to satisfy everyone’s taste. The tarts are available in Roasted Tea (Hojicha), Brown Butter Vanilla and Chinese 5-Spice flavours.

Snack on this: The Nesuto Pineapple Tarts are packaged in a glass jar containing 23 pieces each for SGD29. Get them here. 

2. Coca-Cola in Can

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Red — which symbolises luck — is already the colour of Coca Cola cans. But this 2024, the can is made even luckier with a limited edition Year of the Dragon design on its packaging. P.S. We hear that those who purchase Coca-Cola products until 29 February 2024 will get the chance to win a gold-plated Dragon can in honour of the new year!

Snack on this: A pack of 12 cans are priced at SGD10.80 on fairprice.com.sg.

3. Irvins Lunar New Year Box 2024

Irvins Lunar New Year Box 2024.

Get your crunch on this Lunar New Year with Irvins and their special Lunar New Year Box. Each limited edition box contains two Salted Egg Salmon Skin (50g), one Salted Egg Fish Skin (50g) and one Hot Boom Salted Egg Fish Skin (50g). The box — which has a dragon design on the front — also comes with six red packets inside. 

Snack on this: The Lunar New Year box from Irvins is priced at SGD20.80. Get them here.

4. Nespresso Limited Edition Coffee

Nespresso Limited Edition Coffee.

Wake up feeling lucky and ready to take on new opportunities with the Nespresso exclusive Lunar New Year Collection. This includes the returning Pierre Hermé coffees and coffee recipes crafted just for the new year such as the Symphony of Golden Dragon coffee recipe. Other new year bundles are also available for purchase and come with complementary red packets.

Snack on this: A special limited edition Year of the Dragon box containing 50 coffee capsules is priced at SGD64.80. Get them here. 

5. Bakeinc Kueh Bangkit

Kueh Bangkit is a small biscuit made from tapioca starch, coconut milk and egg. Sometimes called tapioca biscuits, this treat is a staple during the Lunar New Year since it was first created as a sacrificial offering, but eventually became a symbol of luck through its various shapes.

Local bakery Bakeinc does Kueh Bangkit well and is ready for the upcoming Lunar New Year! What’s more is their pastries and treats are Halal-certified. Just head down to any of their stores to grab a canister or two of these heavenly snacks.

Snack on this: The Kueh Bangkit is priced at SGD25.30 for 250g on Shopee.

6. Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Dragon. (Photo from: johnniewalker.com)

If you need something to pair with your favourite new year food, Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker teamed up with influential visual artist James Jean to create a special Year of the Dragon bottle for their Blue Label. The intricate design is Jean’s interpretation of what the 2024 zodiac animal means: prosperous, creative and mighty. 

Snack on this: A 750ML bottle with a gift box is priced at SGD460 at liquorshop.com.sg.

7. &SO Plant-Based Bak Kwa

Here’s a staple treat during the Lunar New Year but with a twist! Bak Kwa is a preserved jerky-like new year food that is said to bring luck and ward off negative energy. But if you’re vegan, don’t worry because local bakery &SO recently introduced their plant-based, Halal-certified Bak Kwa just in time for the celebrations.