30 Eateries that are open during Chinese New Year 2017

For this Chinese New Year, we have hunted down a number of restaurants/eateries that are open to satisfy those growling tummies. We know that most shopping malls and restaurants will be closed, especially on day one and day two of Chinese New Year. However, you don’t have to worry about that, because we’ve got your back! If you are planning on heading out, please read on to find out where you can go.

Badoque Cafe

Badoque (Malay slang for eat) has developed a loyal following because of the café’s cozy vibe and good food. The cafe features an internationally inspired menu – Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian Fusion. The bestseller is the Badoque Ribs ($36). Each rib is 5cm thick and almost as long as our arm. The meat is grilled well and served hot to your table with potatoes and greens. Do note that the portions are very generous.

Brothers in Fine Food

We applaud BFF for their creativity in coming up with beverages such as the Jaffa Orange Mocha ($6), Spiked Muddy Espresso with Gula Melaka ($6.50) and Red Velvet Hot Chocolate ($5.50). BFF treats all their food with tender, loving care. The Beef Steak ($15) is first marinated in salt and pepper, before being vacuum-packed and cooked in a monitored water bath for 1.5 hours at 56 degrees. Instead of the usual mushroom or black pepper gravy, BFF has created a beetroot thyme puree. The beetroot is processed in a thermomix at 70 degrees to bring out the natural sweetness of it without the addition of sugar.

Flock Cafe

This indie cafe has indoor and outdoor seats so take your pick. Fish & Pancakes ($16.80) sounded unique to us so we had to give it a try. 2 tiny fillets of crumbed dory fish are served atop 2 pieces of savoury pancakes, with a side of mesclun salad and French fries. The fish fillets are fried to a crisp golden brown and the meat was fork-tender. Our only complaint about the fillets was that the portion was too small. As for the pancakes, we felt that they were mediocre, nothing to shout about.

I AM Cafe

Located at the junction of North Bridge Road and Haji Lane, I AM cafe is inspired by the city of Amsterdam. Owned by 3 Muslim friends, all preparation and ingredients are done in accordance to the Islamic way of guidance. Their Charcoal-grilled Juicy Beef Burger ($13.90), which comes with a charcoal-grilled beef patty, is topped with pineapple, onions and melted cheese. The patties are all painstakingly grilled over a charcoal-fuelled fire.

Penny University

Penny University is a term that originated from 18th century coffeehouses in London, England. Instead of paying for drinks, people were charged a penny to enter a coffeehouse. But here in Katong, you don’t have to pay a penny to enter the cafe. The place is bustling with cafe-goers, especially on weekends. They source their beans from local roasters, serve unique cakes and freshly-baked bread . We had a plate of Turkish Eggs ($8.60) which is served with lightly whipped yoghurt, homemade spicy moroccan harissa sauce and sourdough.

Shrove Tuesday

This cafe is famous for their waffles as they use a yeast-raised batter. Their Signature Nonya Chendol Waffle ($12.90) includes two scoops of Chendol gelato and vanilla soft serve topped with azuki red beans, green chendol jelly, gula Melaka and coconut flakes. The Chendol flavour was spot on! Coupled with such a fantastic waffle, we can have this dessert any time, any day!

The Coffee Academics

Launched in 2012, The Coffee Academics has made quite a name for itself in Hong Kong. “The Mess” ($20) is a food item that’s exclusive to the new outlet at Raffles City. It consists of a 63 degrees egg served atop sautéed spicy chicken sausages, crispy baby potatoes, pencil asparagus and buttered corn kernels. To end our meal, we got the Academics Pancake Tower ($19). Not only was it beautifully presented, but the piping hot, thick and fluffy pancake totally satisfied our palettes. The delectable pancake tower goes really well with their ice cold berry sorbet, which was sweet and slightly sour. 

Casuarina Curry Restaurant

Prata enthusiasts would flock here for their signature mushroom cheese prata. The plain prata goes for a dollar a piece. For $2, you get to enjoy a gratifying meal with simple, tasty curry. The list of prata flavours is extensive, ranging from chicken floss prata, to sausage cheese prata to chocolate prata. Casuarina also has very delicious chicken and mutton briyani, as well as, curry fish head.

Club July

Club July serves Zi Char and Western food under one roof at an affordable price in the heartland of Toa Payoh North. With only 2 CNY menus available, choose between $388.80 (5-6pax) and $688.80 (10-12pax). A must try is the Chef’s Signature Herbal Chicken Soup. The cloudy broth has a velvety blend of herbs and spices, with a splash of aromatic Chinese wine. Other dishes in the menu include Double Bliss Shrooms with Fortune Noodles, Steamed “Soon Hock”, Pan Fried Prawns with Special Sauce etc.

Good Chance Popiah

Good Chance Popiah Eating House brings back the joy of wrapping Popiah yourself, which evokes nostalgia. Condiments include ribbons of omelette, beansprouts, lettuce, coriander, chopped peanuts, sweet soy sauce, and garlic-chilli paste. You can add prawns and crab meat as well. 

Founder Bak Kut Teh

Since 1978, Founder Bak Kut Teh has been consistently dishing out bowls of  delectable Teochew-style pork ribs soup. From a small Bak Kut Teh eatery in Choa Chu Kang in 1978, Founder Bak Kut Teh expanded into their first restaurant space in 1988. Now, Founder regularly ranks as one of Singapore’s top Bak Kut Teh restaurants, and is poised to expand to neighbouring countries.

Kampong Chicken Rice

Chicken rice is a local favourite but, have you heard of kampong chicken rice? The yellow skin kampong chickens are different as they have skinnier legs and leaner bodies. They are allowed to run free and are corn-fed, hence they have less fat. So, what makes kampong chicken better than our usual chicken rice? Well, the meat is definitely not as fatty. It is leaner, but very tender. It feels a lot healthier since there is less fat. What seals the deal is the chilli sauce, which is thick and spicy.

Mellben Signature

Singapore raves about MELLBEN’s heavenly crab dishes, hence this place needs no further introduction. Good news! They are opened during CNY as well! Located at Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Mellben Signature has got all the sensational seafood recipes that have diners clamouring for more. Renowned for their Claypot Crab Beehoon, the milky soup is so flavourful and the broth is infused with a rich crustacean sweetness. Other crab dishes include Chili Crab, Butter Crab, Golden Sand Crab etc.

Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ

Wang Dae Bak is one of the few Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore that only uses charcoal and not gas. This would be a place that we’ll pick for gatherings as the atmosphere is very lively. Buffet is not available but they have BBQ sets. We tried BBQ Set B ($48) which consisted of marinated prime ribs, pork belly, spicy chicken and marinated shoulder. The beef is tender and marinated to perfection. 

Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak

Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak at Adam Food Centre has been labelled as one of the best Nasi Lemak in Singapore. Food comes in sets, with prices ranging from $2.50 to $5.50, depending on the ingredients you order. We ordered their “Royal Rumble” ($5.50) which consisted of Potato Croquette, Fried Egg, Deep-fried fish, Ikan Bilis, Otah and Deep-fried chicken wing. Our verdict? We have to agree that the rice was fragrant and well-enriched by the coconut milk. Expect a queue at this stall, but it’s worth the wait!

Ah Dong Teh House

Ah Dong Teh House is a good place for people who prefer kopi and teh to flat whites and cappuccinos. Lunch specials are available on weekdays from 11am to 5pm and all main courses come with a free soup and a free drink. We had the Ah Dong Curry Chicken ($9.90) which you can pair with rice or bread. The curry wasn’t too spicy. It’s on the milkier side and boasts a strong coconut flavour. The chicken was well-cooked too. This was one of the more generous portions of curry chicken that we have had at such a good price.

Tanjong Beach Club

Situated on Singapore’s finest stretch of sand and graced with panoramic views of the sea, Tanjong Beach Club is a premier coastal retreat from the bustle of the city. Mains include Tanjong Beach Club’s no-frills take on the Lobster Bun ($38), The Market Fresh Fish of the Day ($35) and Orecchiette Chorizo ($33).

Diamond Kitchen

The Diamond Sauna Treasures ($188++ / $368++) which is filled with lobster, snow crabs, red prawns, scallops, mussels, squid and clams, is perfect for a CNY gathering.  Do note that this dish is only available at Diamond Kitchen Science Park Drive.

Mondo Mio

Looking for pizzas and pastas? Mondo Mio’s menu is curated to showcase the vibrant flavours of Southern Italy. The Pizza con Rucola Pesto ($22) is an inimitable standout, where a piquant spread of homemade rocket and roasted pine nut pesto sits beneath discs of salami, ricotta, melted mozzarella and fresh cherry tomatoes. Mondo Mio’s pizza dough is made in-house, using a straightforward traditional mix of only water, flour and natural yeast. 

Niqqi’s – The Cheese Prata Shop

As its name suggests, this Indian-Muslim supper spot is famous for its cheese prata. We ordered a Double Cheese ($4.50) prata and was impressed by the creamy richness of the melted cheese enveloped within the crispy prata skin. Each bite was gratifying, especially when you’re a cheese lover! Niqqi’s also serves up a plate of superb maggie goreng ($3) that’s not too spicy. 

G7 Sin Ma Claypot Live Bull Frog Porridge

It’s the perfect time to have frog porridge when the monsoon season hits. This is an unforgettable dish for both locals and tourists alike. The Frog Porridge here is priced very reasonably and what you get is a combination of hot and smooth porridge, and succulent frog meat that has soaked up the thick and sweet sauce really well.

Ju Shin Jung

For the price that we’re paying for the BBQ buffet, the quality and quantity have exceeded our expectations. The quality of meat and freshness of their prawns are commendable. Also, the BBQ buffet comes with a main dish for every diner. You can choose from fried saba fish, clear beef rib soup, spicy soft tofu soup, hot stone bowl rice, soya bean paste soup and cold noodle. 

Ming Tang Jiu Gong Ge Hotpot

Deviating from the normal round pot, the 9-grid Hot Pot is divided into 9 sectors. Using the same soup base, you can segregate the cooking of your favourite side dishes. The heat varies from sector to sector, with the centre being the hottest. You’ll find plenty of fresh hot pot ingredients, ranging from meats like kurobuta pork, frogs, mala chicken, to seafood like spicy baby lobster. Go for the seafood set which is priced at $118 (2-3pax), $148 (4-5pax) and $198 (6-7pax).

Diandin Leluk

A specialty of Diandin Leluk, the Tom Yam Soup ($12 small) packs a good punch. The sour-spicy broth is flavoured with lemongrass, lime juice, lime leaves and chilli. It contains seafood such as squids, prawns and fish. The menu here is quite extensive and they are open for 24 hours. The next time you’re craving a feast in the middle of the night, you know where to go.

Teng Bespoke Vegetarian Dining

Teng Bespoke made a lasting impression when their Three-kind Sashimi ($19) set was served. Featuring mock salmon, mock squid and mock tuna, we thought these make-believe replications of sashimi were very well executed. They have a fishcake-like texture and a smooth exterior. You can look forward to vegetarian sushi and other Japanese vegetarian dishes as well.

Kwan Inn Vegetarian Restaurant

Kwan Inn’s extensive menu includes Vegetarian Suckling Pig, Specialty Vegetarian Goose, and many more. The Si-Chuan Spicy Soup ($15 small) acts as a good appetiser, boasting a good consistency of well-balanced sourness and spiciness. This is perfect, especially on cold nights, and it really whets your appetite. The Spicy Stir-Fried Vegetarian Diced Chicken ($16 small) consists of mock chicken, peanuts, vegetables and chilli peppers. The succulent meat, which was very addictive, goes very well with rice and the level of spiciness was manageable.

Pepper Jade Thai Vegetarian Cuisine

There is an extensive offering of Thai vegetarian dishes here, from appetisers to desserts. We shared a plate of Deep Fried Chicken wrapped in Pandan ($12 for 6 pieces). If no one mentioned that this is a vegetarian dish, we would’ve thought that the “chicken” was authentic. The tender texture is similar to the actual pandan chicken and even the taste was alike. The Tom Yum Soup in Claypot ($14) explodes with flavours as soon as it reaches our tastebuds. 

Whole Earth

This Peranakan vegetarian restaurant has been awarded the Bib Gourmand Award in the Michelin Guide Singapore 2016. Although their menu is huge, there’s only one page dedicated to true-blue Peranakan cuisine such as Nonya Curry, Nutty Buah Keluak and Assam Pedas Vegetables. Huge crowds can go for the 5-spice Ngor Hiang Roll ($13.90) which is Whole Earth’s rendition of the Peranakan roll, served with traditional sweet sauce. It actually tasted like the real ngor hiang roll. It’s best to dine here in a big group so you can try more delicious dishes.

Gokul Vegetarian

This restaurant offers a huge variety of vegetarian Indian food so, if you want to try many items, you either have to dine here with a big group or head back many times. The Masala Dosa ($5) was stuffed with lightly cooked potatoes and green peas, and is served with two chutneys and sambar. The potatoes were slightly mashed, resulting in a creamy texture which goes very well with the dosa. Scoop the potato-filled dosa and dip it into the chutneys or sambar and you’ll get to taste different flavours and textures.

Loving Hut (Vegan)

Loving Hut is a vegan restaurant chain serving gourmet cuisine made with wholesome vegan ingredients. Enjoy sides such as Royal Satay, 5-Spice Roll, Bali Bliss Soba Salad or California Mango & Orange Salad. For mains, go for the Banana Leaf Nasi Campur which features a scrumptious Indo-style mixed rice dish topped with fruit achar, spicy eggplant, seasonal green veggie, scrambled tofu and nyonya rendang. Other mains include Aglio Olio, Tandoori Flame Burger, Almond Crumb Fillet, Nyonya Laksa, Nasi Campur, Tomyam Ocean Hotpot Set, Char Kway Teow Set and Lor Ark Noodle. Don’t forget to end your meal with their signature authentic teochew oh-nee (because the owner’s father used to run Mong Hing Teochew Restaurant).

If your Chinese New Year is already packed with visitations back-to-back, you can always bookmark our list down for future reference! These eateries and restaurants will continue providing you with quality food and high levels of service. Satisfaction guaranteed! Well, days are getting busier but there’s always time for us to wish you a very HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR once again! HUAT AHH!!!

MissTamChiak.com made anonymous visits and paid its own meals at the stalls featured here.

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