Eateries Open on Day 1 & 2 of Chinese New Year 2018

Day 1 or Day 2 of CNY might be a nightmare for some, as all your favourite eateries might be closed. But fret not, Team Tam Chiak has compiled a list of 25 eateries that will be open on BOTH days this Lunar New Year. Of course, most hotels will be open to host your reunion feasts. However, those who prefer a humbler affair may find this list (which consists of both Halal and non-Halal dining spots) of great help.

Alchemist Beer Lab

Alchemist Beer Lab is the first beer infusion bar in the Asia to house a total of 16 sleek and state-of-the-art towers. What’s most special is the Obama stout with toasted marshmallows, vanilla pods and mint leaves. It’s bold, rich and a little sweet with minty hints to cleanse the palate in between sips. Ladies will love the Honey Trap with London mead infused with lemongrass and ginger. Even though they’re more of a bar than a restaurant, they do have some good food as well, such as the sticky thai chicken wings and duck confit (special on the menu). 

B Burger

If you’re in Orchard this Chinese New Year, it wouldn’t hurt to visit B Burger, the chic burger joint opened by The Benjamin Barker Group. Each burger is made upon order, and we loved the Bomchika Wow Wow ($10.90), which was an upgraded version of the Karate Burger ($8.90). The burger contains a karaage chicken patty, truffle mayo, fried egg, sriracha honey, wafu slaw, daikon radish and their signature B sauce, which goes very well together.

Birds of Paradise Gelato

Birds of Paradise is hands-down one of my favourite ice cream hangouts. Located at Katong, BOP serves some delicious botanical-flavoured gelato such as spiced pear, strawberry basil and white chrysanthemum. Furthermore, these scoops of ice cream are served in freshly made thyme cones. So delicious!

Captain K Seafood Tower

Captain K’s seafood tower has taken Singapore by storm. They offer 3-tiers, 5-tiers, 7-tiers, and 9-tiers seafood tower where a variety of seafood are cooked layer by layer from top to bottom to delight your senses. As the seafood is steamed, the delicious juices are collected at the ‘seabed’, forming a super flavourful soup base. It comes in three variations, from a classic Kombu Dashi, to a house-made Korean kimchi stew, to a uniquely Korean-inspired ginseng chicken broth. You can add on extra ingredients from the self-serve kiosk while indulging in the rich and briny goodness of the broth. This is the perfect place for gatherings with your loved ones, whether you have an occasion to celebrate or are just looking for a catch-up session. They are opened till 4am!

Da Miao Hotpot

Hotpot is always a good idea. I highly recommend the Special Spicy Soup and Fresh Mushroom & Pig Bone Yuan Yang Soup Pot ($20.00++). Besides the usual hotpot ingredients, such as Enoki mushrooms, and freshly-minced meat paste (from $18++), Da Miao offers premium ingredients such as Australian Prime Beef ($32.00++) and my favourite Fresh Shrimp Paste ($18.00++). If you’re still famished after your reunion dinner, head to Da Miao because they are open till 5am!

Diandin Leluk

Come to Diandin Leluk, if you’re craving something different from your usual CNY fare. The specialty Tom Yam Soup ($12/small) really packs a punch so make sure you get it! Diandin Leluk has an extensive menu and is open 24/7.

E-Sarn Thai Cuisine

If you’re craving for Thai food this Chinese New Year, and Diandin Leluk is too far away for you, why not make a trip to E-Sarn Thai Cuisine at The Grandstand? Must-tries include the Tom Yum ($9.50 or $15.50) soup, which comes in 3 different versions – chicken, prawn or seafood. Diners can customise their soup with less salt or sugar.

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

This Chinese New Year, bring your family to the picturesque Quayside Isle and indulge in a gastronomical seafood experience at Greenwood Fish Market. The Cold Seafood Platter is a two-tiered seafood extravaganza that features in-house cold smoked salmon, freshly shucked oysters, marinated yellow fin tuna with furikage, New Zealand green lip mussels, littleneck clams, cooked live tiger prawns and steamed half Boston lobster. This platter is good for 2 as a main course, or 3 to 4 pax as an appetiser.

Hararu Izakaya

Looking for a bar to chill at after your reunion dinner? Welcome to Hararu Izakaya, the first-ever muslim owned Izayaka in Singapore. In the evening, Hararu transforms into a Japanese bar where Japanese skewers as well as other ala carte items are served. A good pick will be the Unagi Don ($13), which features grilled eel with teriyaki sauce, tamago, pickles and rice.

I am… Café

Most of you will be familiar with this halal-certified café. They serve hearty sandwiches, burgers, pastas, pizzas and fish and chips. To complement the food menu, I AM also has a myriad of drink concoctions which are alcohol-free. Popular options include Virgin Lychee Mojito and Bushramint.

Karu’s Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant

Karu’s Indian Banana Leaf Restaurant’s signature curry fish head is a little different from the usual curry fish heads because of the use of Indian spices. The fish head in the curry here is quite huge! The curry is not as lemak as what you might expect, but it offers a more distinct taste of tomatoes. If you get a rice set, you’ll get free flow rice, papadum and pickled vegetables too. Note that you’ll have to take the elevator from the first floor to get here.

Lina’s Café

Lina’s Café is helmed by lovely owners with hearts of gold. As an Autism Awareness Café, Lina’s aims to promote the inclusiveness of people with autism in our society, as the owner is the mum of an autistic child as well. Lina’s serves a wonderful Pandan Mille Crepe Cake, Speculoos Cheesecake and other mains. Do look out for our upcoming article on Lina’s Café!

Mookata

White charcoal (or “binchō-tan”) is used to cook ingredients thoroughly, creating a beautiful sear on the meat while retaining its natural flavours. We enjoyed the meltingly succulent texture and decent portion of the meat. No meal is complete without condiments, so try their signature chilli sauce which comes in three different degrees of spiciness.

Paradise Teochew

Enjoy a meal at Paradise Teochew over the Chinese New Year weekend. Paradise Teochew offers delectable Teochew cuisine in a central location. The restaurant does great braised meats. We recommend the Braised Trio Combination Platter (from $28), which has duck meat, bean curd, pork belly and intestines. Have it with the Minced Pork and Conpoy Teochew Porridge ($7.80), which is filled with wholesome ingredients.

Pondok Daun Upeh Restaurant

East-siders can delight in this hidden gem, which serves up poisonous noodles! We kid. Loosely translated, Mee Racun ($7) means poison noodles but we assure you it’s anything but that. Served in their signature opeh leaf bowl, the mee racun is cooked in a hot sauce. The addition of bone steak and soft beef slices will make you salivate. If that isn’t enough, order a serving of Roti John Cheese Tarik ($7.50). We promise you’ll leave happy with your tummies full.

Sabio Tapas Bar

Located along Duxton Hill, Sabio Tapas Bar serves up delightful Spanish cuisine in small plates that’s great for sharing with friends and family. Popular dishes include the Rilettes sardinas (Sardines rillettes served with black olive ciabatta toast) ($14), Gambas Al Pil Pil (Sizzling prawns in virgin olive oil & garlic) ($17), as well as Tortilla Espanola (Traditional potato & onion omelette) ($12), a delicious, traditional Spanish style omelette.

SEORAE @ JEM

Get grillin’ and sizzlin’ at Seorae @ Jem! The Korean barbecue restaurant is open on both day 1 and 2 this Chinese New Year. Treat yourself to a wide variety of Korean barbecued meats, as well as a plethora of authentic Korean dishes, such as Hameul Pajeon ($17.90) and Sundubu Jjiggae ($14.90).

Sumiya

Venture beyond classic dishes this Chinese New Year, and savour some of the freshest air-flown seafood here at Sumiya. Commonly used during the Japanese New Year, Red Kodai (market price) is recommended for its festive shade of orange and red. Instead of the usual salmon sashimi that you find in yusheng, why not opt for Kodai sashimi? When eaten fresh, the fish, which is light and non fatty, is wonderful. The taste of the kodai is elevated when it is prepared in Genshiyaki- style. After being charcoal-grilled with salt, the tender flesh is amazing. Conclude the meal with some of Sumiya’s extremely affordable beers and sake.

Superfudo

With all the house visiting and consumption of calorie-laden Chinese New Year goodies, it’s always good to include one healthy meal to ensure that you’re getting the recommended daily intake of proteins, fibre and vitamins. Superfudo specialises in healthy grain bowls, which come with a wide variety of proteins, such as beef, chicken, prawn, turkey and even swordfish. Pair your desired protein with vegetables and grains to craft a healthy and delicious meal.

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 Coffee Academics

The Coffee Academics has made quite a name for itself in Hong Kong and Singapore. Our favourite has got to be the Academics Pancake Tower. 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.