Chinese New Year Guide 2024: 8 Best Restaurants to Lohei and Have Reunion Dinner
Source: Social Place
Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and once again, it’s time to start shopping for new outfits, and… the feasting continues from last December. But this time, with bakkwa, pineapple tarts, and lots of reunion dinners. To celebrate the auspicious Year of the Dragon, we should kick the celebratory activities off to a grandeur start with a sumptious lohei and reunion dinner.
In true Singaporean fashion, it is often a game of fastest fingers first as soon as January rolls around. As reservations for early reunion dinners become highly sought-after and start filling up quickly, one could certainly feel overwhelmed or stumped as to where to even start.
Therefore, our curated list extends beyond traditional Chinese restaurants, encompassing a range from cosy Japanese eateries to exclusive private dining venues. This diverse selection promises a decadent feast while catering to various budgets, ensuring a memorable start to the Year of the Dragon.
Chinese Restaurants
(1) Yang Ming Seafood
Yang Ming Seafood, known for its fresh live seafood and zichar classics, has two outlets islandwide with its first branch in Bishan and the second outpost at Ubi. For this upcoming Chinese New Year, they present new and unique Ubi outlet-exclusive dishes for its 2nd Anniversary. For instance, the Chao Tah Pig Trotter Chee Cheong Fun ($25) would be perfect for those who love the classic Chao Tah Bee Hoon zichar dish. This special spin presents pig trotters stir-fried with silky chee chong fun for the same smoky ‘chao tah’ char served atop an egg omelette.
Seafood is a must at every reunion dinner so the star of the show is, of course, crabs! The NEW Golden Gravy Crab with CCF (Indonesian live crab $95/kg or Sri Lankan Live Crab $100/kg) is cooked in a rich golden pumpkin gravy with umami crab stock.
While for those that prefer to slurp up every drop of the crab broth goodness, the Umami Crab Seafood Paofan ($138) that includes live crab and prawns is perfect for the seafood lover as you could pair the sweet crabmeat with the rich broth and crispy rice!
Do make your reservations early as many of the seafood dishes are pre-order only so take note to call in advance!
Yang Ming Seafood (Ubi Branch)
Ubi Outlet | Bishan Outlet
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11 am–2.30 pm, 4.30–10.30 pm, Sun-Mon 11am - 2pm, 4.30–10.30 pm,
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(2) Red House Seafood Nanyang
For a lavish Chinese seafood feast, there’s no better place than Red House Seafood Nanyang with over 40 years of experience preparing Nanyang-style seafood. Together with their new and recently refreshed interiors, they present a brand new Chinese New Year menu that tastes just as scrumptious as it sounds. Available from 8 January to 25 February 2024, usher in a year of abundance and prosperity with their Chinese New Year Set Menus that includes the likes of Braised 8 Head Abalone, Sea Cucumber with Winter Melon Ring and Purple Cauliflower, and Crispy Roasted Chicken with Flaxseed & Sesame. and of course, Chili Crab / Alaskan King Crab for a classic seafood feast Singaporean style.
Not forgetting the iconic Chilli Crab for a classic seafood feast Singaporean-style, the fresh crabs were loaded with succulent, juicy meat in its massive pincers. It was also not too spicy and encapsulated just the right amount of sweetness in its chili gravy for one to dip generously with their crispy mantous.
Last but not least, finish it off with the Prosperity Salmon and Coral Seaweed Yu Sheng, enjoy a colourful assortment of vegetables like Buddha’s hand citron, turnip, coral seaweed, and the seafood options also include salmon, abalone and lobster.
This has to be one of the best yushengs we have had thanks to the sweet tangy sauce made with dragonfruit and passionfruit which was the ideal finishing touch. All in all, both the food and the ambience felt top-notch and luxurious; it would be the perfect place to bring your family here for an impressive reunion dinner.
The celebratory Chinese New Year set menus are priced at $598 and $798 for 4 to 6 persons, and $1088, $1388 and $1888 for 8 to 10 persons.
Make your reservations via redhouseseafood.com/reservations/.
Red House Seafood Nanyang
Location: 3C, River Valley Road The Cannery, #02-02/03 Singapore 179022
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, PH: 12pm – 2:30pm (last order 2pm), 5pm – 10pm (last order 9:30pm)
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(3) Dian Xiao Er
Award-winning Chinese restaurant with 16 outlets islandwide, Dian Xiao Er is known for its signature Herbal Roast Duck that everyone loves and raves about. This Chinese New Year, get to choose from 3 Set Meals catering for groups of 3 to 10 pax, specially created with traditional flavours to properly kickstart the new year with a delicious feast.
From 8 January to 24 February 2024, with each order of the Chinese New Year sets, walk away with an XL Red Packet loaded with exclusive Dian Xiao Er merchandise to ensure bigger HUATS this dragon year! And starting from $168 onwards, you can anticipate auspicious dishes such as Smoked Salmon YuSheng, Prosperity Pineapple Pork Ribs, Auspicious Abalone Seafood Pot, and more. Check out the full set of menu offerings here.
Source: Dian Xiao Er
Dig into the Auspicious Abalone Seafood Pot brimming with delectable delicacies including fish maw, sea cucumber, and abalone, all stewed and simmered over a collagen-rich pumpkin golden broth.
Delight in the tender Prosperity Pineapple Pork Ribs, seared to a sweet caramelised perfection alongside pineapple cubes, all enhanced by a delightful sweet and tangy sauce.
Dian Xiao Er
Outlets
Opening hours: Fri - Sun, 11:30 am-10 pm, Mon - Thurs, 11:30 am-9:30 pm
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(4) Social Place
Founded in Hong Kong since 2014, Social Place is best known for serving up contemporary Chinese cuisine in a retro-chic and cosy environment.
Source: Social Place
Celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon with their exclusive 7-course Chinese New Year menu priced at $568++ for a group of 6. Toss in wealth and prosperity with the Yu Sheng bouquet featuring Alaskan King Crab (S$88++ per portion) (fish alternatives available), a refreshing fruity salad base replacing the usual raw fish.
Source: Social Place
Next, indulge in the exquisite fusion flavours beginning with Yellow Croaker fish (S$68++ per portion) perfectly fried fish delicacy in a caramelised homemade sauce, Succulent Prawns in Homemade Black Sauce (S$48++ per portion) and Spring Blossom Pen Chai (S$208++ per portion) featuring luxurious abalone and tender stewed chicken which heralds of strength and good fortune..
Source: Social Place
Get your veggie fix with the unique Yuba with Yau Mai Chye (S$28++ per portion) before filling up with Lotus Leaf Rice with Abalone and Preserved Meat (S$68++ per portion). Lastly, finish off the feast with a delicate tong sui dessert (S$28++ per portion/S$5++ per bowl) that tastes and feels like comfort.
Amp up your festive spirit with auspicious Mahjong Jelly (6pcs for $7.80) and adorable Small Pig Pudding ($7.80) for little ones in the family.
The dishes from the Chinese New Year set menu are also available to order as à la carte and will be available from 1 to 24 February 2024.
Reservations can be made here or via phone: 8870 2288.
Social Place
Location: FORUM The Shopping Mall, Orchard Rd, #01-22 583, Singapore 238884
Opening hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm, 6:00pm–9:30 pm daily
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(5) Chef Chan’s Private Dining
In a private colonial bungalow along Scotts Road, Chef Chan’s Private Dine has reopened its doors just in time for Chinese New Year celebratory dinners. Celebrity Chef Chan’s protégé, Chef Wong Hong Loong is now at the helm of the restaurant, serving up well-loved Cantonese delights featuring a blend of familiar favourites and reimagined classics with a modern twist. Upon tasting the dishes, we don’t doubt that the chef has over 20 years of experience as some of the dishes were truly outstanding.
For a start, the Wellness Chicken Soup offers ideal comfort with its slow 12-hour cooking process, resulting in a deeply rich, savoury essence and flavour.
Followed by the freshly prepared Steamed Spotted Grouper with Homemade Tofu and Egg White which boasts incredible freshness, owing to the live fish used, resulting in a delicately textured dish.
And lastly, the "Loong Shi Fu" Signature Crispy Chicken truly embodies its name - this dish was crafted masterfully to perfection as the chicken was tender, complementing the thin, crispy skin immaculately.
The Dinner Menu by “Loong Shi Fu” is priced at $188 per pax. Make your reservations here.
Chef Chan’s Private Dining
Location: 35 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228227
Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 12–2:30 pm, 6–9:30 pm
Facebook | Instagram | WhatsApp to make reservations
Japanese Restaurants
(6) Mio Fine Foods
Mio Fine Foods introduces a fresh Japanese concept delivering traditional and artisanal Japanese cuisine using the freshest, top-quality ingredients air-flown from Japan weekly. As their name suggests, they guarantee the finest flavours during your dining experience! Indulge in artisanal sushi against the relaxing and aesthetic insta-worthy backdrop as we usher in the Year of Dragon! Celebrate your reunion special dinners with Mio’s Eight-Course Abundance Feast featuring its signature Edible Garden Yusheng with Salmon and Bluefin Tuna Sashimi, Smokey Corn, Mini Hotate Ikura Truffle Somen, and more.
Back by popular demand, savour Mio’s Edible Garden Yusheng that combines crunchy and tasty ingredients like sunflower and sesame seeds, ginger, roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, wakame, lotus chips, tempura crisps all complemented by their unique house-crafted plum sauce.
After trying the Smokey Corn, we must say that that was one of the most brilliant grilled corn we have ever had. The Japanese sweet pearl white corn was slathered with a rich layer of teriyaki mayonnaise, grated Gran Padano, and schichimi.
Every element harmonised flawlessly, enhancing the honeyed sweetness of the corn—a dish undoubtedly essential to try at Mio.
In addition, the Mini Hotate Ikura Truffle Somen was doused in a light truffle salsa sauce topped with fresh Hokkaido scallops and ikura. Though the Japanese white noodles were a tad overcooked, the fresh sweetness of the scallops made up for it.
Mio Fine Foods
Location: 82 Neil Rd, Singapore 088843
Opening hours: Lunch, Mon-Fri 12pm to 3pm, Sat-Sun 12pm to 4pm.
Dinner: Sun-Thurs 6pm to 9.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm to 10.00pm
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(7) Standing Sushi Bar
Renowned for its Salmon Madness Promotion held every Monday and Thursday, Standing Sushi Bar is celebrated for its incredibly fresh salmon sashimi, and is the ultimate destination for a delightful lohei experience.
The Yusheng Wealth Platter (20 slices) for 4 to 6 pax is priced at $78.88 and if you’re also craving a sushi fix at the same time, there is also the Yusheng and Maki Combo Platter ($176.88) or Yusheng and Nigiri Combo Platter ($168.88) that are available as takeaways to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Source: Standing Sushi Bar (Left: Yusheng Platter, Right: Yusheng and Maki Combo Platter)
(8) Shinsen Hanten by Chen Kataro
Since its opening in 2014, Shisen Hanten by Chen Kataro has earned multiple remarkable accolades for its international debut as Japan’s best-loved Szechwan restaurant. Helmed by Japanese chef Chen Kataro who proudly carries on the family legacy, the two-starred Michelin restaurant celebrates the signature flavours of Szechuan cuisine alongside traditional Cantonese fare.
For a lavish and sumptuous reunion dinner this Lunar New Year, choose between their dine-in set menus or their a la carte specials.
Both of which you get to try their signature dishes such as the Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Crab Roe Soup, packed full of tantalising umami flavour with indulgent sweet crab roe.
Source: Shinsen Hanten Instagram
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