Just like turkey during Thanksgiving, bak kwa is a must-have for the Chinese New Year. Similar to jerky or better even, this savoury candied dried meat is sold all year round here, but prices shoot sky-high when the season is nigh. At this point, most places would have been sold out. So either make it yourself, or resort to something a little more premium at the Goodwood Park Hotel deli. Available until the 22nd of February, it goes for $50 per 600g and $78 per 1kg. Call them at 6730 1786 to lock down the order.
Yusheng is usually the highlight of all reunion dinners, but it can get a little boring. So instead of the usual raw fish and numbingly sweet plum sauce, give Antoinette’s version a chance. Called The Queen’s Yusheng, it comes as a large golden egg that sits in a nest of sweets – chocolate fish, five-spiced nuts, meringue kisses and more. Crack the egg open (think of it as an Asian pinata) to a feast of fruit, such as pineapple, red dragon fruit, green mango and pomelo. Dress it with a mandarin orange, plum and gula melaka sauce, and the tossing begins. At $88, it feeds eight to 10 people and is available until 22nd February. You could dine in or order three days in advance for takeaways.
Here’s Zafferano’s taken on the traditional roast duck. At $228++, you get what you pay for. A prized free-roaming bird from Challans, France, stuffed with garlic, onions, pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, orange and vanilla. It is then baked to a crisp golden brown, paired with red apple compote, wild berry sauce, sauteed potatoes and buttered Brussels sprouts. The bird is enough to share with three others, and is available until the 29th of February. Simply call the restaurant at 6509 1488 and give three days’ notice.
