30 Restaurants That Are Open During Chinese New Year 2019

Where to grab a quick bite or have another reunion dinner during CNY Day 1 and 2? We have hunted down a number of restaurants that are open to satisfy those growling tummies. If you’re done with house visiting and looking for a place to have a good meal, here are some places that you can dine at without getting disappointed at the door!

From having casual cafe fare to luxurious buffet spreads, here are 30 Restaurants That Will Be Open During Chinese New Year Day 1 & 2!

Baristart

Hailing all the way from Hokkaido, Japan, Baristart Coffee first started out in June 2015 as a simple coffee stand where one can hear all about the milk produced in Hokkaido and its relation to the coffee scene in Japan. From coffee to desserts and savouries, Baristart Coffee prides itself on its use of pure uncompromising quality of Hokkaido dairy that is both rich and creamy with a tinge of sweetness. You may want to try the Kuromitsu Anmitsu Parfait ($12.80) – an assembly of delightful sweets including agar cubes, shiratama mochi and a choice of vanilla or matcha ice cream. The bear shaped Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk Shaved Ice ($9.80) with fragrant and rich Hokkaido milk is a hit as well.

Chix Hot Chicken (*HALAL)

Better known as the winner of the first season of Singapore Idol in 2004, Taufik Batisah co-owns Chix Hot Chicken alongside his good friend, Bober Ismail. Made from 100% organic spices from US, Chix Hot Chicken’s dry rub is what makes their chicken so unique. This is possibly the first dry rub fried chicken joint in Singapore, and the first fried chicken joint in Asia to feature authentic Nashville fried chicken. Plus points for them because they are Halal so everybody can enjoy a taste of Nashville right here! You can choose from 3 levels of spice for your chicken — mild, extra and insane. For those who cannot take any spice at all, you can opt for the original fried chicken which features buttermilk fried chicken rubbed with a mix of soul spice.

Crystal Jade

Kickstart a great year with Crystal Jade’s Auspicious Tidings Hamachi Yusheng ($128 for large | $88 for small). Some CNY highlights include Steamed Fortune dumplings with aromatic chilli oil ($6.80/6pcs, available at Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao & Crystal Jade Jiang Nan), King Prawn Prepared 2 –Ways ($32.80, available at Crystal Jade Kitchen) and Pan-seared Lobster with XO Sauce on Yuzu Noodle (available at Crystal Jade Palace). Note that all Crystal Jade outlets are open on CNY Eve (4 Feb) & CNY Day 2 (6 Feb)!

Famous Treasure

Located in Capitol Piazza, the newly-opened Famous Treasure serves an array of local Chinese favourites and seafood signatures. If this name rings a bell, you’d have probably patronized or heard of The Famous Kitchen, a popular restaurant in Sembawang. The Marinated Cockles Teochew Style ($12) was highly recommended. The plump and juicy cockles are dressed in a homemade chilli paste which tastes somewhat similar to sambal belachan. The Salted-Baked Flower Crabs ($6 / 100g) was the dish that blew us away. In a special wok, the chef fries sea salt, stock and live flower crabs until the ensemble is dry. The crabs were so intensely fragrant, that we dived into it immediately. The crab was so tender and sweet. MUST TRY!

Fatburger

American burger chain Fatburger has landed on Singapore’s sunny shores at two locations: Velocity at Novena Square, and KINEX (formerly known as OneKM Shopping Mall) in Katong. Their beef patties are made with 100% Alberta Angus Beef and are grilled upon order. If you are up for the challenge, finish up their Quad fatburger with 4 patties and you will score yourself a certificate and have your picture up on their wall of fame. For those who can’t eat beef, you can try their crispy chicken burger. Oh yes, you can also choose 8 different types of sauces for their buffalo wings.

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.

Greenwood Fish Market

A wholesale seafood retailer and restaurant, Greenwood Fish Market brings fresh quality seafood to the table by directly importing their live produce. Customers can have their choice of fish, crustacean or shellfish done the way they like. You have to try the flavourful Crab Cake ($18.95) with Pumpkin Puree and Rice with Red Beet Slaw and Wasabi Aioli. The Rock Lobster Thermidor ($69.95) is also a must-order for cheese-lovers. The addictive cream and cheese sauce brings out the natural sweetness of the succulent lobster, and every bite is amazing. Don’t forget Greenwood’s freshly shucked oysters which are briny and reminiscent of the sea! Check out other offerings at Quayside Isle here.

Hai Tien Lo

Usher in the Year of the Pig at Hai Tien Lo (海天楼)! Take you pick from seven auspiciously-named menus which showcase the very best of Cantonese cuisine. Helmed by new Executive Chef, Ben Zeng, Hai Tien Lo (海天楼) decorates the traditional classics with a spark of innovation. The exquisite menus feature delicacies such as the Double-boiled Buddha Jumps Over The Wall with Morel Mushrooms along with the elegant Stewed Inaniwa Udon with Lobster in Superior Soya Sauce. Vegetarians, rejoice! Chef Ben Zeng has also prepared a full 7-course Blossoming Spring Menu.

Hararu Izakaya (*HALAL)

Hararu Izakaya is the first Muslim owned Izakaya in Singapore. The restaurant spans 2 storeys, with the second floor decorated in traditional Japanese Tatami dining style. Hararu’s lunch menu offers diners a variety of 4 different donburi sets. By night, Hararu changes into a Japanese bar and their dinner menu showcases Japanese skewers and other ala carte items. We love the Gyuniku Don (beef) and Unagi Don. Each Donburi Set Lunch comes with miso soup, a refreshing salad, and free flow green tea, making this meal value-for-money.

Jai Thai

Jai Thai is one of the cheaper places to satisfy your cravings for Thai food. We had the Olive Set which consists of olive rice, mango salad, Tau Fu Green Curry, Fish with Chilli Sauce and Fried Mix Vegetables. Jai Thai’s mango salad will knock your socks off. It was spicy, sweet and a tad sourish. So is the fried mix vegetables which felt like home-cooked dishes. I really enjoyed the Pad Thai. It is flavourful enough and has the perfect balance of sweet, sticky and savoury. The noodles are well fried, not sticking together and each mouthful has a wok hei aroma.

Check out the list of Thai restaurants in Singapore.

Jiang Hu Hotpot

Treat yourself to some authentic Sichuan hotpot at Jiang Hu that will not disappoint. From the intricate presentation of each and every dish, to the warm hospitality and ambience, everything makes for an unforgettable experience. Unlike other restaurants where the mala soup base is prepared in the kitchen, Jiang Hu hotpot insists on adding mala oil and herbs into the clear soup right in front of their guests. In addition, they have a specialty sauce made from spring onions, coriander, peanuts, and fried soy beans. Wow your palates with their Minced Prawn with Capelin Roe ($13.80), Mixed Meatball Combo ($14.80), and US Prime Beef Slices ($11.80). I will suggest ordering the Homemade Black Beancurd ($7.80) which is made from black beans, soybeans and sesame. Read about other restaurants in Bedok Point here.

Jiak Modern Tzechar

Jiak is a family friendly, halal Chinese tzechar restaurant in Esplanade. They are offering the Buddy Set ($22) if you and your best friend have some serious tzechar cravings. The set comes with their signature Curry Fish Head, as well as your choice of either Sambal Kangkong or Claypot Beancurd. Jiak Modern Tzechar’s rendition of curry fish head is on the milkier side and it is not very spicy so the whole family gets to enjoy! The Steamed Crab with Black Bee Hoon is also a must-try! Check out other deals at Esplanade!

Kai Garden

Kai Garden, helmed by one of Singapore’s most sought-after chefs Fung Chi Keung, has already established itself as the premier destination for Cantonese cuisine. I have been singing praises of their Garoupa with Lobster Broth after I had it in the restaurant. With fresh garoupa presented in front of your table, the staff will help you ‘swish’ the fresh slices into the lobster broth. The broth has been boiled for hours making it rich and addictive. I reckon any kind of fresh seafood works well with the broth. One of the must try dim sum items include Charcoal Shen Jian Bao ($6.80). Pan fried over a hot plate, its moist meat filling with a slightly chewy skin and crispy fried bottom was so good.

Le Shrimp

Le Shrimp Ramen is a new Chinese La Mian concept at Paragon. Specialising in shrimp broth, Le Shrimp offers noodle dishes ranging from S$6.50 to S$19.90. Fresh big prawns are baked at 180°C for 45 minutes, handground to a fine texture, and simmered for more than eight hours with premium conpoy for more umami. Do not miss Le Signature Trio Shrimp Ramen (S$19.90). This is a comforting bowl of la mian topped with fresh big prawns, handmade ebiko prawn paste, and prawn dumplings. Another of my favourite is the Prawn Dumpling with Chilli Vinaigrette Ramen (S$10.90). The al dente ribbons of noodles are tossed with moreish chilli vinaigrette and prove to be extremely addictive.

LIME Restaurant

From now to 19 February 2019, Lime Restaurant will be serving a range of festive offerings which include Baked Seabass with Homemade Spicy Glaze, Stir-Fried Sliced Pork with Leek and Spicy Bean Sauce and Drunken Seafood Bowl. The highlight is definitely the Drunken Seafood Bowl. Savour the sweetness of crayfish, prawns, clams and mussels, which are swimming in a fragrant brew of Chinese herbs and wine. The prawns were juicy and meaty, and the clams and mussels carried the rich aroma and fragrance of wine.

Man Fu Yuan

Executive Chef Eric Neo ups the ante with exquisite yusheng creations, and indulgent fortune feasts. Until 19 February 2019, you can enjoy Man Fu Yuan’s signatures such as Roasted Pork Belly Roulade and Lobster Egg Noodles with XO chilli sauce from their set menus (from $108 per pax). Besides having a perfectly crisp skin, the aromatic and tasty seafood stuffing in the Roasted Pork Belly Roulade makes it a palate pleaser that’s a must-have dish on the table. The XO chilli sauce in the lobster noodles is extraordinary- you’d definitely be asking for a second serving. Definitely an amazing place for your reunion dinner in 2019!

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Situated on the fourth storey of the luxurious five-star Mandarin Oriental, Morton’s The Steakhouse serves steaks that are the absolute crème de la crème in terms of quality. Morton’s only uses the finest USDA Prime Grain-fed Beef, which is of the highest grade and quality. Less than 2 percent of American beef earns this designation! Their Prime Beef is also aged for 23 – 28 days to intensify its flavour. Steak really doesn’t get any better than this. Cutting into this divine Porterhouse Steak revealed that it was cooked to a mouth-watering shade of pink, or a perfect medium rare. Read more about our review here.

Muthu’s Curry Restaurant

Indian curry fish head may not be the first thing people associate with Chinese New Year, but rest assured that Muthu’s Curry Restaurant will bring a unique and aromatic spice-infused twist to your reunion dinners. Muthu’s Signature Curry Fish Head ($22/$27/$32) holds a robust curry gravy with strong aromatics from the blend of spices, making this a potent and solid pot of Indian curry. The spiciness of the curry fish head starts off gradual and slowly builds into a tolerable yet satisfying level of heat that is sure to appeal to spice lovers. Remember to soak up the delicious curry with their assorted naan or fragrant biryani rice!

Noods & Meats (*HALAL)

Noodles? Meats? Sounds typical, but it’s not. The former executive chef of Arteastiq, Firdaus Nasir, has brought Noods & Meats to this quiet part of Yishun. The Muslim-owned stall has easily more than 15 delectable dishes to try. They have a range of meats that are smoked in-house here. Each main comes with a complimentary side. We opted for the Bebek Meat ($12.90), which marries both Western and French cooking styles. The sauce is commendable!

PUTIEN @ ION Orchard

PUTIEN brings to the table heart-warming and tasty comfort food that we can all look forward to. Exclusive to ION Orchard only, PUTIEN has prepared the Lotus Leaf Steamed Crab with Vermicelli ($7.90++ per 100g) as an ode to Singaporean flavours. The crab is steamed for exactly 10 minutes to achieve a sublime texture. Staying true to its roots in Fujian, China, PUTIEN also offers timeless dishes such as their PUTIEN Lor Mee (Small $9.50, Medium $19.00, Large $28.50). Check out other offerings at ION Orchard!

Note that only PUTIEN at ION Orchard will be open on CNY Day 1. The rest of the outlets are closed. Operation will resume on CNY Day 2 (6 February 2019) for all outlets.

Quayside Seafood

Quayside Seafood at Clarke Quay is a riverfront restaurant serving up a variety of Singapore’s unofficial national seafood dishes. Enjoy the cool river breeze under the stars in their spacious alfresco area. You have to get the Sri Lankan crabs in the signature Popular Chilli Sauce or Black Pepper Sauce ($7.50++ per 100g). Digging into a mantou dipped in tangy chili crab gravy hit all the right spots for me. Another seafood contender is the highly acclaimed Indonesian Style Prawns in Claypot ($11.50++ per 100g). The light and aromatic broth posseses a hint of sweetness from the fresh and succulent prawns.

Summerlong

Summerlong is a laidback beachside restaurant that offers bright and bold Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Snack on mezze platters of briny Oysters, Chilled Ponzu Clams and Kingfish Crudo and enjoy mains such as Barbequed Squid, Sea Bass and King Prawns. For hummus-lovers, Summerlong also offers a good selection of hummus ranging from all-time favourites such as Classic Chickpea to the more interesting Eggplant and Mint, as well as White Bean and Rosemary. For those trying to avoid the CNY crowd, Summerlong will be open for both brunch and dinner on the 5th and 6th of February.

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TAP Craft Beer Bar

Do you love craft beers? If you do, I’m sure you’ve been to TAP. The craft beers go for $10 a pint, which is one of the cheapest in Singapore. What’s even more amazing is that there are 20 different rotating taps choose from! From IPA to stout, TAP has something for everyone! However, once a particular beer runs out, it may take months to return. TAP keeps things fresh by constantly bringing in new and different beers. Read about our experience at TAP here.

Teochew Cuisine

During Chinese New Year, the festivities are in full swing. Family members get together to celebrate the coming of spring, and these gatherings can stretch into the wee hours and that’s when we get hungry. Teochew Cuisine at Toa Payoh and Bukit Batok West are opened 24/7. Diners can get fish steamboat, kway chap and even dim sum for supper.

The Malayan Council (*HALAL)

The Malayan Council fuses traditional Malay food with modern gourmet food to reach out to both the old and the young. The dual-storey eatery has both an indoor, and alfresco seating area. All of TMC’s cakes are made in-house by their pastry chef. The Classic Ondeh Ondeh Cake ($8.50) comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can look forward to an excellent medley of light coconut chantilly cream, moist and soft pandan sponge cake, gula melaka bits and coconut drizzle. This cake is really delicious!

The Pump Room

The Pump Room, a bistro that incorporates elements of a microbrewery, bistro and bar promises a memorable drinking, dining and partying experience. For a heartier option, go for the Australian Tomahawk Beef that comes with thick cut French fries, salad and a choice of Red Wine Sauce, Tasmanian Bush Pepper Sauce or Diane Sauce. The beef is seasoned well with smoked sea salt and freshly crushed pepper. If you like something to go along with their craft beers on tap, I will recommend the Crispy Pork Knuckle that is paired with a bowl of sauerkraut and beer sauce.

Tsui Wah

Set in a 140-seater in Clarke Quay, 翠華 Tsui Wah is modelled after the outlets in Hong Kong, serving a menu of wholesome and delicious Cantonese dishes made with only the freshest produce. Their Hong Kong Milk Tea (hot/$3.50, cold/$4) carries a mild and light flavour derived from premium tea leaves imported from Tsui Wah Hong Kong. The tea is brewed daily and kept up to 30 minutes to ensure optimal freshness and quality. Don’t forget to pair it with the Signature Crispy Bun with Condensed Milk ($4), which is Tsui Wah’s reinvention of a classic Hong Kong snack. Each freshly baked bun is coated with a layer of butter and condensed milk. The irresistible treat is crisp yet sweet on the outside, and amazingly fluffy inside. On CNY Day 1, they are open from 5pm to 4am. On CNY Day 2, they are open from 11am to 1.30am.

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique

Nestled within an oasis of calmness located in the luxury circle of The Shoppes, TWG Tea serves an afternoon tea combining their celebrated sweet and savoury tea-infused cuisines. The Fortune High Tea Set ($40++) which came with a pot of tea, Truffle Croque, two scones and three TWG macarons. The Truffle Croque was amazing as the earthiness of the roasted Portobello mushrooms was nicely complemented by the Emperor Pu-Erh infused white truffle bechamel sauce. Read about other High Tea offerings at Marina Bay Sands here.

Wah Lok

Kickstart the new year with Wah Lok’s signature Alaskan Crab Lo Hei. The Yu Sheng highlights the natural textures and flavours of fresh crab slices which sit atop hand-shredded seasonal vegetables and homemade condiments and sauces. If you are a fan of sashimi, the Hamachi Yu Sheng in “Soon Tak” Style will not disappoint. Making a debut this year is the Auspicious Golden Pot, a luscious alternative for those who don’t enjoy seafood. It is packed with premium ingredients such as Deer Sinew, Goose Web, Morel, Pork Ribs, Fish Maw, Tianjin Cabbage, Chestnut and Black Moss. Enjoy an exquisite seven or eight-course set menu at Wah Lok from $398++ for 4 persons from 21 January to 19 February 2019.

Walaku (*HALAL)

Walaku’s nasi lemak is exceptionally unique. They grill their coconut rice, which is tightly wrapped in a banana leaf. According to the chef, this allows the rice to be adequately infused with the banana leaf’s subtle sweet flavour and aroma. While they serve inventive variations such as the Ikan Bakar Salmon ($11.80) and the Kari Soft Shell Crab ($11.80), they also have the Ayam Goreng Rempah ($7.80) which might appeal to more traditional palates. However, you have to go for the pièce de résistance, the Garlic Cheesy Lobster ($22)!

Wan Hao

Toss to a year of great tidings with not one but six types of Yu Sheng from Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant. Our favourite is the Lobster, Sea Urchin, Hokkaido Scallop, Salmon, Tuna and Caviar Yu Sheng ($268 nett for large) that’s generously drizzled with a sweet and refreshing Kumquat sauce. A savoury delight that’s making its debut this year is the Wan Hao Imperial Pot of Prosperity Pen Cai. The pot is filled with 13 luxurious ingredients such as crispy oyster, braised Irish duck, 3-head abalone, fish maw and sea. Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant will also be serving the finest Cantonese favourites in their set menus (from $108.80++ per person).

READ: 10 Best Reunion Dinners for a Very Huat Chinese New Year in 2019

Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice

Chicken rice fans will be happy to know that Wee Nam Kee at Northpoint and Jurong Point will be open on 1st day of CNY from 5pm onwards! They serve three different types of chicken – namely the poached, soy sauce, and fried. When done correctly in a flavourful broth, the poached chicken is juicy and tender, gently gingery with subtle chicken flavour. It’s sliced and served alongside more broth, rice, chilli sauce and a fragrant bowl of chicken broth. The broth is tasty enough to boost your appetite.The rice at Wee Nam Kee is decent, each long grain rice is well-oiled, mildly fragrant, yet not too greasy.