Gallop into a Mala-Packed Lunar New Year at Downtown East

This Lunar New Year, Downtown East turns up the heat with a flavour-packed Mala Celebration, which runs across Wild Wild Wet and Downtown East. Think fiery flavours, playful installations, and plenty of reasons to gather, eat and celebrate.

Turn Up the Heat at Wild Wild Wet (8 Jan – 2 Mar)

I have to be honest — I haven’t been to Wild Wild Wet (WWW) in the longest time (I think my last visit was during my college days?). But this festive season gave me the perfect reason to return, because the water park has transformed into a food-themed playground like no other.

Dive into a floating hotpot feast! Lounge on giant chilli or cheese tofu floats, drift along the lazy river on a sunny afternoon, then round off the day with a proper mala feast. It’s playful and yet relaxing — a brilliant way to spend the day with friends.

There’s also a fiery-fun ball pit by the Wild Wild Wet fountain, plus life-sized mala ingredients scattered around for the cutest photo ops.

CNY Treat: The first 50 Wild Wild Wet guests daily can redeem an exclusive Mala-themed sticker set featuring Flumi, WWW’s adorable new mascot.

They are offering a 10% discount OFF their Summer Wave Splash rates with promo code – MALAFGMTC. Purchase via this link – https://bit.ly/DEMalaCNYMTC and receive additional free Flumi sticker + reusable straw!

Mala Flavours Unleashed

Beyond the water park, Downtown East truly surprised me with its myriad of dining options. Selected eateries across the mall are rolling out comforting reunion dishes and mala favourites — perfect for meaningful CNY catchups around the table. Honestly, I didn’t realise this place was such a food paradise until now.

A Kitchen
📍 E!Hub #02-125

A Kitchen specialises in authentic Northeastern Chinese cuisine, and their Mala Crawfish ($38) is a must-order. The moment it arrives, its aroma will captivate you. The glossy, fiery-red sauce infused with dried chillies and Sichuan peppercorns instantly whets the appetite.

Crack open the shell and you’re rewarded with plump, fresh crawfish meat that’s firm, bouncy and soaked in bold mala goodness. What stands out is how well balanced the flavours are : not just aggressive heat, but a layered profile of numbing fragrance, savoury spice and a subtle sweetness that keeps you going back for more. The sauce is rich without being greasy, dangerously addictive, and pairs well with rice or noodles.

Jyu Yae Live Music Bar & Restaurant
📍 E!Avenue #01-301

Come to Jyu Yae not just for the live music, but also this surprisingly refined Mala Royal Alaskan King Crab Meat Fried Rice ($16.90). Served neatly domed over a banana leaf, it’s crowned with a generous slab of Alaskan king crab leg — sweet, flaky and unmistakably premium.

The fried rice is the quiet star. Each grain is well-separated, lightly coated in fragrant mala oil with a gentle numbing spice rather than overpowering heat. Dried chillies and spring onions add aroma, while delicate flakes of crab meat folded through the rice balance the spice with natural sweetness.

The mala profile is elegant and restrained, allowing the richness of the crab to shine. This is a polished take on mala that feels indulgent, and not heavy.

Labula
📍 E!Avenue #01-310

Labula is no stranger to mala lovers, especially fans of Mala Xiang Guo. If you’re dining with colleagues or family, go for their Mala Grilled Fish ($36.80) which is perfect for sharing.

The fish arrives sizzling hot, served whole in a bubbling pool of deep-red chilli oil. The aroma alone will make your mouth water. The fish is first grilled, giving it a lightly crisp skin, then bathed in mala broth to keep the flesh moist and tender.

Pull it apart and you’ll find soft, juicy meat that absorbs the sauce beautifully. Napa cabbage, tofu skin and vegetables soak up the spicy, savoury broth and are just as addictive as the fish itself. Bold, aromatic and unapologetically spicy, this dish guarantees you’ll keep reaching back into the pot long after you’re full.

Feast Together

Apart from mala, Downtown East offers an impressive range of dining options — Western, Japanese, Halal zi char, and even yakiniku buffets. It’s a one-stop destination for festive feasting.

Ajiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant
📍 E!Avenue #02-346

Ajiya specialises in okonomiyaki, and what makes it extra fun is that you can cook it yourself. I went straight for Ajiya’s Combo ($18), where you choose three ingredients from a generous selection including prawn, scallop, pork belly, bacon, mozzarella cheese and more.

With the grill right at your table, you can DIY your okonomiyaki or have it prepared by the staff. Sauces and bonito flakes are added at the end. The result is a fluffy, savoury pancake customised exactly to your liking. Don’t miss their scallop mentai, garlic fried rice and century egg kani tofu as well.

Segar Restaurant
📍 E!Avenue #02-317

Segar Restaurant is a popular Halal-certified zi char spot, and their signature Curry Fish Head is reason enough to visit. You can choose between classic curry or assam curry — both aromatic and generously packed with fresh vegetables and tender fish.

The curry is thick and comforting, perfect with steamed rice. Be sure to also order their Sambal Kangkong, Chai Poh Omelette and other home-style zi char dishes. End the meal with a cup of ice Thai Milk Tea for a satisfying finish.

Tomi Sushi
📍 E!Avenue #02-305

I was happy to see Tomi Sushi at Pasir Ris! They offer a wide range of Japanese dishes, from noodles to grilled items and seasonal seafood, with value-for-money set meals.

We tried the Tori Nabe, alongside an unagi roll and aburi salmon roll topped with mentai sauce. Everything was delicious and well-executed — a solid choice for casual Japanese dining with family.

Wine Connection
📍 E!Avenue #02-337

Wine Connection continues to impress with its retail-wine-shop-restaurant concept. New dishes include the Prawn & Tobiko Fresh Pappardelle Ricce in Butter Cream Sauce with grated Grana Padano, and a hearty Cheesesteak Pizza loaded with sliced ribeye, peppers, jalapeños and mozzarella.The pizza here is freshly made and hand-stretched on a sourdough base.

I especially loved the Pan-Seared Silver Cod, served with San Marzano tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini and pumpkin in a paprika cream sauce — scrumptious, hearty and beautifully balanced. Don’t miss the collectible, CNY Limited Edition Fire Horse champagne while you’re here.

Yakiniku Shiok
📍 E!Avenue #02-347

For one price, Yakiniku Shiok offers a dual feast — unlimited yakiniku BBQ and traditional nabemono hotpot for two full hours. Highlights include their Grand Meat Display showcasing premium A3 Japanese Wagyu, with over 20 cuts from nose to tail.

Whether grilled or simmered in broth, the Wagyu delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The buffet also includes appetisers, salads, cooked dishes, condiments and desserts.

Buffet Pricing (2-Hour Dining):
Mon-Thu (5.30pm-10pm): $38.90++ adults | $28.90++ student/senior | $18.90++ child
Fri, Eve of PH (5.30pm-10pm): $48.90++ adults | $38.90++ student/senior | $24.90++ child
Sat-Sun & PH (11.30am-10pm): $48.90++ adults | $38.90++ student/senior | $24.90++ child

Hotpot bases include Japanese Bonito, Chicken or Mala. Visit https://yakinikushiok.com.sg/ for more details.

Where Fun Never Stops

Downtown East is Singapore’s premier lifestyle, recreational and entertainment hub, bringing together Wild Wild Wet, D’Resort, and a wide range of dining and entertainment options at E!Avenue and E!Hub. It’s where families learn, play and connect — and this Lunar New Year, it’s also where flavours turn fiery and celebrations come alive.

At Downtown East, fun never stops and life is always celebrated. Visit their website for more information.

This post is brought to you in conjunction with Downtown East.