Happy Chinese New Year! It’s the Year of the Rooster. Wishing everyone a prosperous year ahead, may you have something fabulous to crow about everyday :)
Tag Archives: Chinese new year
A Taste of Handmade Tradition – Kim Hock Seng bak kwa 金福成肉干
This Chinese New Year, I opted to skip the horrendous queue at Lim Chee Guan (a friend queued 6 hours) and try a different house of bak kwa (barbequed pork), one who doesn’t believe in making their customers queue for their candied meat (yes I am that extreme lol).
Mr Ong Geok Hoo, 64 has been running his bak kwa business with this wife for more than 40 years. They prepare their bak kwa from scratch in their shop. In a media interview, he said “My bak kwa packaging has never changed, my recipe has never changed. My white singlet and white shorts have also not changed.“
The shop is famous for its Original Barbecued Pork Slices and Bacon Bak Kwa (not available during Chinese New Year; I am so coming back to try this). Mr Ong encourages his customers to call and place an advance order at least three days before so they can just come to the shop to collect-and-go. His order chits stuck on the shop’s wall are so plenty they can masquerade as wallpaper. Traditional red boxes are piled high around the shop while trays of cooled bak kwa are ready to be packed for the next day’s orders. It’s definitely hard work, but Mr Ong is adamant about carrying on his craft for at least 10 more years. Expectedly, his 3 children have no intention to carry on the business.
Kim Hock Seng’s bak kwa are less vibrant in colour and much thicker than those I have tried before, but they are tender to the bite with little fat. In fact, I meant to take the box of bak kwa out just to take one photo, but by the time I put it back, it was 500 grams lighter. In just 10 minutes. Oops.
Kim Hock Seng (Seng Kee) 金福成
Address: 34 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089141
Tel: (65) 6221 4882
Opening Hours: 11:00AM to 10:00PM (Mondays to Saturdays); 3:00PM to 10:00PM (Sundays)
River Hongbao 春到河畔 2014
One event that has become almost a tradition for most Singaporeans to visit during the Chinese New Year would be River Hongbao. An annual event held without fail for 28 years since 1986, it features large lanterns made by craftsmen from China, handicrafts, local & regional delicacies, stage performances and numerous fringe activities for all ages. Best of all, it’s free admission and possibly the best place to bring the entire family to infuse the festive atmosphere – without burning a bigger hole in your pocket after giving out all the ang pows (red packets) and buying new clothes.
The event is held at The Float @ Marina Bay, right in the heart of Singapore’s downtown.
Look at the throngs of people!
One of the highlights of this year’s event would be this 18-metre tall God of Fortune 财神爷 – everyone wants a piece of fortune in the new year!
Fortune God, please look after me this year okok…bring me more money!
He does look very prosperous, and I am in love with his pom-pom hat lol
This decorated walkway was a natural photo opportunity. I must say it’s very pretty.
The main feature of River Hongbao would be the large-scale lanterns hand-crafted on-site by craftsmen from the Sichuan province. They showcase familiar characters including the God of Fortune, legendary heroes from “The Three Kingdoms” (Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Liu Bei) as well as the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
马到功成
Being the Year of the Horse, a lot of the lanterns featured horses. This one features a Chinese idiom “马到功成” which literally means “success is gained when the horse arrives.” In the past wars were fought on horseback. Hence, once the horses reach the frontline, the war will be won. Now, this Chinese idiom means swift success, and is used as a well-wish.
Hungry? Feast on Yunnan and local delicacies at River Hongbao’s Food Street.
Bunny ears for you, madam?
It’s all kids play at Uncle Ringo!
Oh this is so nostalgic! Long before Facebook and LAN games, kids squealed in delight when parents brought them to Uncle Ringo for kiddy rides. Most of the kids entertainment centres have bitten the dust by now, and you can only find Uncle Ringo at roving events around neighbourhoods. I so very wanted to join in…but well, guess I am a teeny-weeny overaged by now.
童真
I used to love such games, especially the shooting ones!
“Daddy please, can I play again?”
Bumper cars!
Wheee! I wonder if this can take my weight wuahaha
While the kids have Uncle Ringo, the adults can play too…lottery
I was quite surprised to see a Singapore Pools booth at River Hongbao. It was quite apt too, since everyone wanted a piece of luck during the new year. I joined in the fun too, and I think I stunned the staff for a moment when I asked “How many numbers must I choose huh?” He was dumbfounded for 5 seconds and thought I asked him a trick question.
The Palace of Beauties and One Emperor
Dancing Sisters
Sway left, sway right
十二生肖 – 马
Somehow this reminds me of My Little Pony
One of the reasons why people visit River Hongbao is to read their fortunes for the year at the 12 Zodiac lanterns. Find out all you want to know about your career, health, fortune, romance and even your lucky colour & number.
恭喜发财 Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Main Stage Performances
Apart from local entertainers, River Hongbao also partnered the Yunnan Opera Theatre (云南滇剧院) to showcase performances by Yunnan’s ethnic tribes, including the Yi and Dai Tribe.
福如吉祥
Longevity Cranes
花开富贵
巨型走马灯
Read up on Chinese cultural festivals at this huge lantern
许愿池 Wishing Well
Take a coin, make a wish and aim to hit the hanging bells when you throw. If it sounds, your wish will come true. I need a super big coin.Or a gold bar.
It was quite amusing to see Singapore’s favourite fruits on a giant lantern…if only it came with the durian smell lol
Cartoon version of the legendary heroes from “The Three Kingdoms” (Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Liu Bei)
桃园结义
水上灯组
I was pleasantly surprised with fireworks from the Chingay event happening nearby. It was great to end my visit to River Hongbao on a high, and hopefully it signifies great things to come for the new year. I’m excited! :)
Look of the Day – Chinese New Year
Having a Mary Poppins moment…
Dress – Mary Katrantzou
And so they say…it’s only polite to match the house owner’s theme when visiting…and it happens to be a garden, heh :D
Necklace – Shourouk
Rings – Vintage Hollywood
Leather bracelet – Hermes
Just en clou bangle – Cartier
Bag – Hermes
Platforms (and 6 inches taller) – Nina Ricci
Happy New Year! :)
Sin.less CNY Indulgence – Pineapple Tarts
One festive goodie I can never resist is the very pretty (and fattening) pineapple tart. I make it a point to find interesting ones every year, and this year I am going for healthy pineapple tarts – organic low GI. If I can’t stop this yearly sinful indulgence, I will make it sin LESS.
I am eating quite a bit of organic food nowadays, and was quite excited when I found these organic pineapple tarts from Bud of Joy. They definitely don’t come cheap ($38.80 for a bottle), but if it means lesser snacking guilt – why not? :) They taste pretty good and I like the melt-in-your-mouth crust. The pineapple is also not too sweet.
The low GI pineapple pearls made from wholemeal flour and other organic ingredients taste pretty good as well. I know cos’ my mum has polished off half the bottle. And Chinese New Year hasn’t even started.
Ordering was fuss-free via their website and they offer delivery too, so I ordered a bottle of organic kaya (coconut egg jam) to try too. While Bud of Joy has a number of perishable items such as bread and cookies at their physical shop, it’s best if you order-to-make so as to minimize food wastage. I will try ordering a pine nut butter spread the next time, sounds like it will make a yummy breakfast :)
I’m excited about the New Year! And all the goodies to be eaten lol. What’s your favourite part of the New Year? :)
spunktitud3 