The best places to get Chinese New Year snacks in 2023

A full circle moment for this former mentor-mentee friendship between rebel chef Damian Da Silva and Sourbombe’s brainchild, Genevieve Lee. And it is all manifested into a gift-worthy A-bun-dance box ($32) that is bound to appease both young and old. Inspired by chef Damian’s childhood favourites, three Sourbombes are filled with unique yet familiar flavours such as the savoury sweet Pang Susi (Eurasian minced meat pie), spicy Prawn Bostador (green chilli sambal prawns) and sweet dessert-like mango pomelo. The vibrant heritage-motif-clad box also comes with an assortment of traditional Nyonya kueh such as Puteri Ayu, Sago Bandung, Talam Keladi, and Kueh Salat.

Let's be honest, the chances of you shopping for Bakkwa at a natural food store are slim. But SuperNature is about to change that. Handmade using Australian free-range pork without added preservatives, each Bakkwa is chargrilled till smoky and succulent. It retails at $58 for 500 grams and $108 for 1kg. Of course, there are also guilt-free cookies and a wide range of organic foods, groceries, homecare, health supplements and wellness products that could be made into gifting hampers.

The kitchens at Goodwood Park Hotel are working overtime this season. More than just rolling out decadent dishes to lay your reunion dinner table, it also has a series of irresistible treats that you won’t find elsewhere. The traditional Nian Gao ($59.80, eight pieces) is playfully reimagined into adorable bite-sized Bountiful Bunnies that are quite frankly too pretty to consume. Once you've mustered enough courage, your bite will reveal a satisfying ooze of velvety smooth black sesame paste. Craving pineapple tarts? The resplendent golden pineapple basque tarts ($68, eight pieces) draw inspiration from the ubiquitous OG where fresh homemade pineapple jam is hugged by buttery almond crust and crowned with auspicious gold decoration.

The salted egg craze is still going strong and snack maker Irvins is most famous for its range of salted egg yolk snack. Climbing the ranks of the CNY snack hall of fame, the dangerously addictive snack now finds itself alongside time-tested festive snacking greats. This Lunar New Year, the return of 2021’s breakout star of the salted egg prawn rolls ($13.80) is most anticipated. The usual spicy shrimp snack comes coated with an umami salted egg yolk coating that’ll make stopping much harder. While you’re at it, don’t miss out on Irvins’ other well-loved munchies like the signature fish skin and potato chips. Can’t decide? Then get the best of what Irvins has to offer with the limited edition gift box ($20.80), designed to treat the ultimate salted egg fan.

These stunning handmade Nian Gaos from Shang Palace may make great gifts but it also makes for a decadent treat for the family. And they are sinfully tasty all thanks to the skilful use of the finest ingredients, made to please even the most discerning palates. This year, executive Chinese chef Daniel Cheung presents four indulgent flavours that include a nourishing red date with bird’s nest, radish cake with dried scallops, and classic brown sugar and coconut milk. Making a popular comeback is the aesthetically pleasing three layers Nian Gao – purple sweet potato, Japanese pumpkin, and coconut milk are used to yield a vibrant treat with alternating layers of purple, yellow, and brown. Sticking to tradition? The Happiness Treasure Box of pineapple tarts is exquisite. Though if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the yuzu-flavoured pineapple tarts that are equally as satisfying.

No rabbits were harmed in the process of award-winning pastry chef Janice Wong’s deliciously creative chocolate-sculpted rabbits ($50). The headlining act is exquisitely loaded with crispy chocolate-coated nuts to appease every sweet tooth like no other. Like all things enchanting, there is also a captivating range of Chinese New Year cakes (from $10) formed into endearing festive motifs of a mandarin orange, a beautiful white rabbit, a firecracker and a traditional red square with wishes for prosperity. Among other gourmet delicacies, the highly sought-after praline chocolate koi fish ($58) will also be up for grabs where each hand-painted koi is filled with 76 percent dark chocolate, crunchy praline feuilletine and popping candy.

Fans of the childhood favourite White Rabbit milk candy, Da Paolo’s got just the treat for you. As a cheeky ode to the rabbit year, there’s an orange-carrot-laced sweet-sourdough loaf that is liberally drizzled with luscious White Rabbit candy glaze. This one surely hits the sweet spot. There’s also an online exclusive Nian Gao croissant roll (from $6.80) that rides on the highly raved circular croissant trend. Other festive goodies include house-baked cookies ($38 per tin) featuring comforting flavours – well-loved cornflake cookie, sweet matcha amaretti, and the Tuscan cranberry almond biscotti – that guarantee a snacking good time.

Turn up the huat – and heat – with munchies from this mala snack specialist. The numb, spicy flavours of mala xiang guo gets reimagined into numerous addictive creations. Try the classic potato chips ($7.30), where hand-pounded spice are used to coat thinly sliced chips. A must-order: the mala crabstick ($18) that is only available in limited quantities this period. Other novel spicy snacks include green peas, prawn crackers, and even marshmallows.