Eight of the Tastiest Chinese Desserts to Try before Lunar New Year

Our Singapore resident guide, Sophie, shares her favourite tasty Chinese desserts (and where to find them) as Lunar New Year approaches

Traditional Egg Tarts

History has it that the British were responsible for bringing over egg tarts to Hong Kong in the colonial 1920s and that over the years, it has evolved into its own unique identity as a household delicacy in the former British territory.

Egg tarts have two types of crusts: pastry and cookie, with both variations well loved by both young and old aficionados. The smooth, bright yellow filling oozing out of the flaky crust and the smell of the piping hot crust make these savoury desserts especially hard to resist. There are many variations of egg tarts around the world (such as the Portuguese egg tart, bean curd tart, to name a few).

In Singapore, the newest entry in the market is the Joy Luck Tea House – which has most recently opened up across all corners of the island state. And who wins the best egg tart crown in town? That remains a highly contested and personally subjective topic among its fans. As for my personal choice, the best egg tarts have got to be the ones from Tai Cheong Bakery. This much beloved bakery has been an institution in Hong Kong since 1954 and fans in Singapore, including me, rejoiced when it finally opened an outpost in Takashimaya in 2016. Their egg tarts are all freshly made, and each time I just have to buy them in boxes of four. Irresistible!

With both Fraser Suites Singapore and  Fraser Residence Orchard, Singapore located quite close to Takashimaya, there’s never been a better time to pick up a box (or two or four) of these delectable desserts.

Glutinous Balls in Red Bean Soup

Glutinous balls in red bean soup is a popular choice among locals. It is served warm, with soft and chewy glutinous rice balls or mochi balls in sweet red bean soup. This dessert is traditionally eaten during the Winter Solstice festival, but one can easily find it in any dessert store these days.

Durian Mousse

Durian Mousse is a love it-or-hate it type of dessert. For durian lovers, it is the perfect answer to a durian craving! Thick, creamy and fragrant, the Durian Mousse is served cold and is as filling as a meal on its own. Talk about cleaning your palette. As a durian lover myself, I find that this is always a most satisfying way to end any meal.

Mango Sago

Mango pomelo sago is a contemporary Hong Kong dessert; emerging in 1984, it has only surged in popularity. This dessert can be found on the menu of many Chinese restaurants and dessert stores in Hong Kong as well as Singapore, southern China especially in Guangdong province, and Taiwan. Sweet and refreshing, the Mango Sago comes with juicy bite-sized mango chunks dunked in coconut milk, shaved ice and sago – best consumed on a hot summer day.

Yam Snowy Ice and Yin-Yang Paste

Say ‘Iced Kacang’ and anyone in Singapore, the locals, even foreigners, will know it. With the steamy hot tropical climate here, what’s been especially trending in recent years is what is referred to as ‘snowy ice’ – ice shaved into strips. Countless flavours abound, from chocolate, to mint, purple yam to cookies and cream. The yam snowy ice also comes served with glutinous jelly, chewy mochi balls and yam paste on the side. In Singapore, Ji De Chi Dessert is especially known for its dessert café outlets and they have a wide variety of yam snowy ice choices on their menu. Hot, cold, cooling, sinful – you name it, they have it.

One of my favourite desserts is Yin-Yang Paste, which is easily recognisable from its depiction of the traditional black and white Yin-Yang symbol. The “Yin” is made of sesame paste whereas the “Yang” made is of almond paste and both are supposed to be depicted in equally balanced amounts (although, in the photo above, my dessert server went  a little overboard with the almond paste). Sesame paste possesses many health and nutritional benefits, with older Chinese folks saying that eating sesame paste enhances one’s strong, black hair – which I choose to personally believe. Almond paste, on the other hand, is believed to be beneficial for the skin!

Black Glutinous Rice with Mango and Peach Gum in Fresh Milk

With its unapologetically retro Oriental decor, appreciated by its older diners and considered hipster by its younger followers, Jin Yu Man Tang immediately puts you into the right mood for local dessert. The long list of menu items viewed from under a glass table top is a nice, nostalgic touch, reminding me very much of traditional old Hong Kong stores where customers would order off the table. The desserts here are especially good. Its specialities include Black Glutinous Rice with Mango (choice of warm or cold) and Peach Gum in Fresh Milk.

Jin Yu Man Tang is located close to East Coast Park so in order to work off those dessert calories, especially when on a nearby staycation at Capri by Fraser Changi City / Singapore, I would recommend a cycling trip to the beach – which is exactly what I did!

Who is ‘Sophie’ in Singapore?
Sophie likes to share her heartfelt experiences in exploring quirky, ‘hidden gems’, off the beaten path itineraries
and discovering delicious, authentic food and artisanal crafted finds. While Sophie’s curious soul yearns to wander the world, her heart will always belong to her home, Singapore.