Chinese New Year Meal Ideas: How To Get A Delish & Roaring Start To The Year Of The Tiger

Whether you’re planning a roar-some Chinese New Year celebration at home or huat-ing it up at a restaurant teeming with festive and convivial vibes, Crystal Jade has got some grrr-eat selections as we welcome the Year of the Tiger. The homegrown F&B group is a CNY favourite for good reason — with quality and well-executed Chinese fare that’s great for intimate reunions or larger gatherings, there’s something for everyone and every need as we gear up for the season of celebration.

The 2022 Lunar New Year line-up at Crystal Jade sees exquisite new dishes for dining in conceptualised by Group Executive Chef Martin Foo and his team, with special festive set menus for different group sizes, as well as convenient takeaway specialties, such as the beautiful CNY Special Take-Home Set Menu, a gift box with delicious delicacies.

Here’s why Crystal Jade’s festive offerings are purr-fect for everyone this Chinese New Year.

#1: For those who love soaking in the posh vibes of eating out in a fine-dining restaurant

There’s nothing quite like the gentle clink of china tableware at a fine-dining Chinese restaurant, and Crystal Jade’s fine-dining restaurants — Crystal Jade Palace (Takashimaya Shopping Centre), Crystal Jade Golden Palace (Paragon) and Crystal Jade Dining IN (VivoCity) — are more than ready to serve up all the posh vibes as you celebrate a reunion meal with your loved ones.

At the flagship outlet, Crystal Jade Palace, exquisite and creative Cantonese classics such as Braised Superior Bird’s Nest with Crab Meat and Roe, Steamed Glutinous Rice with Roasted 'An Xin' Chicken topped with ginger scallion sauce and Roasted USDA Prime Short Rib and Foie Gras with Honey Char Siew Sauce are served up by Group Executive Chef Martin Foo.

At Crystal Jade Golden Palace, expect stylish and expertly-executed Teochew specialities and premium Cantonese fare, such as Grilled Tiger Prawn with ‘puning’ soya bean paste, Braised American Duck in Teochew Style with crystal green bean noodles and Deep-Fried Pumpkin Ball with Lava Salted Egg Yolk.

More delicacies abound at Crystal Jade Dining IN, with refined dishes such as Double-Boiled Fish Maw and American Sea Whelk with Matsutake Mushroom and Steamed Chilean Cod Fish with Red and Green Chilli in Puning Sauce, plus Eight Treasures Sweet Soup with Peach Resin.

#2: For the family who wants to get loud and lucky at home

Prefer to stay home? There’s no need to compromise on taste, quality and style, as Crystal Jade offers gorgeous and convenient takeaway specialities. Back by popular demand, the CNY Special Take-Home Set Menu (above pic, $308, good for 5 pax) is a beautiful gift box with tantalising new dishes to try, including the Reunion Tiger Prawn Yu Sheng, Braised Abalone and Homemade Pipa Beancurd with Black Moss, and Sautéed Scallop with Ling Zhi Mushroom and Assorted Vegetables.

If you’re looking for a luxe yu sheng to bring forth the huat, the new Opulence 3-head Abalone Yu Sheng ($198 for large, $128 for small) is it. This year’s yu sheng creation by Group Executive Chef Foo is a colourful and appetising “spring on a plate”, with red dragonfruit coins, dried yuzu peel, deep-fried yam strips and fine Hsin Chu beehoon along with other choice ingredients, topped with lightly-torched abalone slices from Australia, jellyfish and salmon roe, and tossed in a roselle and yuzu-based dressing. Exclusively available at Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden Palace and Crystal Jade Dining IN for dine-in and takeaway from Jan 10, 2022, and available for pre-order online and in stores from now till Feb 15.

#3: For the folks who love getting huat while dining out

For a delectable catch-up with friends and family in a lively and festive setting, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen is always a good idea. Slurp up Cantonese classics specially created for the Lunar New Year, such as Crisp-Fried Boston Lobster with Pork Floss, Stewed Pork Knuckle with Shiitake Mushroom and Black Moss and Fortune Fried Glutinous Rice with Sakura Shrimp.

#4: For those planning a big reunion feast at home

The Auspicious Reunion Feast Festive Takeaway Bundle (above, $438, for 5 to 7 pax) is perfect for a bigger family get-together, with quintessential festive favourites such as Reunion Tiger Prawn Yu Sheng, Bountiful Abalone Treasure Pot, Fortune Fried Glutinous Rice with Sakura Shrimp, Braised Duck with Preserved Black Bean and Prosperity Carrot Cake. Huat a feast!

#5: For those who love celebrating with piping hot dim sum

There’s just something about catching up while sharing delicious dim sum, and on top of their fan-favourite dim sum dishes, Crystal Jade also has special set menus at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen priced between $368 and $508 for five, and individual menus at $68 per person for a minimum of two pax. Expect delicacies such as Crispy Pork Strips with Fried Garlic, Poached Rice with Oyster, Preserved Vegetable and Dried Shrimp in Superior Broth and dim sum crowd-pleasers such as Steamed Pork and Water Chestnut Dumpling topped with egg and black fungus and Juicy Steamed Prawn and Preserved Vegetable Siew Mai.

#6: For those who love to wish good fortune in the form of hampers and gift sets

For treasured family, friends, colleagues, clients or those you can’t meet up with, packaged products will send some festive fortune and happiness their way. The CNY Hamper Gift Set (above, $238) has canned delicacies and premium dried goods such as canned 8-head abalone and premium Hokkaido conpoy, while the Eternal Bliss Platter ($60.80, below) makes an elegant gift, with five savoury and sweet homemade festive cakes, such as Prosperity Carrot Cake and Yuzu Mandarin Orange Jelly, that symbolise good tidings.

The Premium Tea Gift Set ($108, in last pic) is also a great gift option, and has healthful premium tea leaves in auspicious red tins.

Early bird discount

Jadeite members, CITI and UOB cardmembers enjoy up to 20% off during the early bird period (till Jan 10) and up to 15% off from Jan 11 to Feb 15. You can also enjoy an additional 8% off at their e-store with our promo code: “8DAYSCJ8”. You’re welcome!

It’s not too soon to start planning reunion dinner feasts and making those CNY dine-in reservations or adding the hampers to your cart. All customers who dine-in from Jan 17 to Feb 15 will receive a Festive Angbao Voucher Pack, while stocks last.

Reservation details

Chinese New Year dining at Crystal Jade restaurants will commence from Jan 17 (selected outlets will be closed on Feb 1). Reservations can be made online now via https://inline.app/booking/cj or via the respective outlets. Festive takeaway goodies can be pre-ordered online at https://bit.ly/3ssgqGe and at outlets from now till Feb 15, and picked up from outlets islandwide from Jan 10. Terms and conditions apply.

More info on Crystal Jade’s CNY line-up found here. Prices are subject to prevailing government taxes and service charge (where applicable)

Photos: Crystal Jade