CNY Celebrations
The Official Light Up and Opening Ceremony is held on 4 Jan, 6pm-10pm. It marks the opening of the Chinatown Chinese New Year celebrations. Expect enthusiastic crowds, firecrackers and fireworks displays and performing troupes. New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street.
Street lanterns are on display from 4 Jan-22 Feb. Walk the streets of Chinatown and view beautiful handmade lanterns of the Rat and other Chinese Zodiac animals, gold coins, flowers and greetings. Eu Tong Sen Street, New Bridge Road, South Bridge Road and Garden Bridge.
Usher in the Year of the Rat with the official countdown party, which features live performances and a countdown celebration in the heart of Chinatown. 24 Jan, 9.30pm–12.30am at New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street. Nightly stage shows will run at Kreta Ayer Square from 4–24 January, 8pm until late.
The 13th International Lion Dance Competition is held at the Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre on 11-12 Jan. From the rhythmic beat of the drums, to the jaw-dropping stunts, this ancient dance is mesmerising. Book tickets at Chinatown Visitor Centre at Kreta Ayer Square
chinatownfestivals.sg
CNY feasts
Forest森, Resorts World Sentosa Equarius Hotel Lobby
8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
Enjoy contemporary Chinese fine dining in Sentosa at restaurants Forest森, Feng Shui Inn, and Sessions. Highlights include the Signature Fruit Salmon Yu Sheng with Homemade Citrus Yuzu Honey-Lime Dressing – a refreshing interpretation of the traditional salad, paired with fresh fruits such as mango, pomelo, strawberries and blueberries and finished with a light, not too sweet dressing that invites a second helping. Sessions’ Crab Prosperity Yu Sheng with Soft Shell Crab and Singapore Chilli Crab Sauce is a very Singaporean Yu Sheng – spicy with generous chunks of crab and chilli sauce. Don’t miss the Feng Shui Inn’s Double-Boiled Cordycep Flower Soup with Chinese Ginseng and Sea Whelk. The soup is light but fragrant and it tastes nourishing and home-made.
Review: Christina Lim
Yellow Pot,
Six Senses, 83 Duxton Road, 089540
The Six Senses Signature Auspicious Menu starts its ten-course feast with a beautiful King Ora Salmon Yu Shen – a crisp salad with crunchy granola (yes, the breakfast cereal!), slices of tender salmon, and a light tangy sauce. So delicious. This is followed by the slightly challenging Treasures of the Sea in Superior Rich Broth, which features thorny sea cucumber, abalone and other seafood delicacies.
My favourite dish is a toss up between the BBQ platter of perfectly roasted meats, and the Lobster in Saffron Tonkatsu Broth with crispy noodles. The banquet also features King Crab, Honey Beef Tenderloin, and X.O. Asparagus with Pacific Clam.
The finale is something my Western palate has never tried – Double Boiled Snow Pear and White Fungus with Bird Nest. The nest is surprisingly jellylike and tasteless, but I’m assured is packed with collagen! This is followed by Chinese Sweet Cake, Mochi, and Red Tea with Sesame Rice Dumpling. If you’re looking for somewhere very special to treat your family, Yellow Pot boasts some of the best Chinese dining in Singapore, with an elegant dining room.
Review: Pip Harry
