Chinese New Year snack shops in the North

 

smart local cny food snacks cheap north

When Chinese New Year rolls around every year, it’s a rush for everyone to get the yummiest CNY snacks at the most affordable prices. Naturally, most people would lean towards the most traditional and obvious location of Chinatown, though this results in long queues in the sweltering Singaporean heat.

For our Northies out there, here are 9 neighbourhood shops in the North that will let you stock up on your CNY must-haves this year without the Chinatown crowds. Definitely an incentive even for non-Northsiders to venture across the island!

 

1. J&C Bakery

 

j&c bakery j and c bakery woodlands bakery cny snacks

Located in the industrial area of Woodlands, hoards of buses can be seen dropping off elderly citizens outside of J&C Bakery on a Thursday morning – and for good reason. With rows and rows of red-lidded snacks hidden inside the store at discounted prices, you can be assured that this is a bargain you don’t want to miss out on. 

J&C Bakery, with 22 years of history, has snacks such as Pineapple Tarts ($16.80 for 24 pieces), Love Letters ($12) and Fried Crab Meat Strips ($10). The continual sale of CNY goodies year-round means that your cravings will always be satisfied. 

huat kueh chinese prayer cake woodlands making

While an industrial building may seem dull, you’ll be amazed at some of the interesting sights you’ll find. Stumbling across Thomson Foodstuff Manufacturing (with a history of about 40 years), there were endless rows of Huat Kueh being individually marked. Many of the friendly people there are also keen to have a chat with you, which is only an added bonus to the cheaper CNY snacks you’ll bring home!

j&c bakery j and c bakery woodlands bakery cny snacks

Address: Block 15 Woodlands Loop #03-03, Singapore 738322

Telephone: 6753 3500

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 9AM-6PM | Sun: 9AM-4PM (Closed on Public Holidays)

 

2. DJ Bakery

 

Just a short walk away from J&C, DJ Bakery will also give you a convenient fix for any and every CNY snack need. The warehouse-style bakery is entirely filled with every CNY snack that you could possibly think of–and of course, free samples for you to enjoy as you walk around. 

The bakery offers discounts off all the CNY snacks – exclusively for the Woodlands branch, selling snacks that are made fresh daily. Get your “Golden Pillow” pineapple tarts at $13.80 here, or zhiku chips (made of arrowhead) at $10 per bottle. Either way, you can be assured of the freshness and affordability of all the goods here at DJ Bakery. 

cny snacks dragon cookie red

Adorable cookies in the same of dragons costing $10

dj bakery woodlands cny bakery snacks

Address: 6 Woodlands Terrace Singapore

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 7AM-10.30PM 

Telephone: 6555 6351

 

3. DJ Roti Bakery

 

weigh snacks cny dj roti bakery yishun kueh balu kok zai peanut puff

For those that can foresee the need for a lot of CNY goodies this year, then DJ Roti Bakery is the place to go to. The bakery, of which half has been filled with CNY goodies for this time of the year, offers a weighing process of payment instead. 

weigh dj roti bakery yishun kok zai peanut puff

Shrimp rolls go at 100g for $3, while Kueh Balu at 7 pieces for $1 and Kok Zai Peanut Puffs at 100g for $2.50. Simply estimate the amount you need on the weighing balance, and you’re done! Time to go home with a large bag of these goodies for your CNY guests (or perhaps just for yourself, who’s judging?). 

dj roti bakery yishun

Address: 743 Yishun Ave 5, Singapore 076038 

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 9AM-9PM

 

4. Swee Heng

 

swee heng bakery cny snacks red

If venturing to more remote areas is not for you, the various bakeries situated right within Admiralty MRT Station have got you covered. Delicious CNY food when you don’t even have to exit the MRT station? Count us in. 

cny snacks swee heng bakery woodlands

Swee Heng, with a large display of CNY food right at its entrance, has Love Letters With Black Sesame ($13.90), Lotus Crisps ($13.90) and Cuttlefish Crispy Snacks ($14.90). 

Address: 678A Woodlands Avenue 6, #01-12, 731678

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 5.30AM-11PM 

Telephone: 6893 9949

 

5. Baker’s Talent

 

baker talent bakery cny snacks snack woodlands admiralty

Meanwhile, Baker Talent just a few stores down, also has Original Egg Rolls ($12.80), Chicken Floss Crackers ($13.80) and Kuih Bangkit ($12.80). 

baker talent woodlands cny snacks

Aside from the convenience factor, the friendly people working at these bakeries are all too eager to let you try various samples as you pass by. The next time you’re at the MRT, keep your eyes peeled for some CNY food-tasting opportunities! 

Address: 678A Woodlands Ave 6, #01-13 Singapore 731678

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 9AM-10PM

Telephone: 6468 7681

 

6. KZ Bakery

 

Located in the heart of the newly-built Kampung Admiralty (opened in May 2018), KZ Bakery is a hidden gem in the bustling hawker centre with a large display of eye-catching red goodies.  

matcha love letter cny snack kz bakery admiralty kampung

While the snacks go for the affordable price of $13.80 per container (the more you buy, the cheaper it gets!), matcha-lovers might want to look out for the Matcha Love Letters and Cheese Peanut Fritters which will be sure to make anyone’s mouth water. 

healthy cny snacks kampung admiralty kz bakery

Considering that Kampung Admiralty is Singapore’s first integrated public development built to meet the needs of both the elderly and younger population, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that even the CNY snacks come with less salt, oil and sugar. 

kz bakery kampung admiralty

The same delicious food but healthier this time – definitely a bonus considering the amount of junk food we can consume during CNY!

Address: Kampung Admiralty, #02-30 676 Woodlands Drive 71, Singapore 730676

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 7AM-10.30PM

 

7. Chez Rose Bakery Pte Ltd 

 

chez rose yishun bakery cny snacks

A true gem situated in Yishun, Chez Rose is the place where you will taste the best pineapple tarts of your life. 32 years old and owned by a married couple till today, the bakery sells handmade treats with touches of history hidden in every corner of the shop. 

The owner, who had travelled across countries like Germany and Holland to learn how to bake, had returned to open up his own bakery. The old-school white-tiles of the bakery, vintage-looking bicycle tucked in a corner, alongside the decorations handmade by the owner’s son result in the warm feeling of a homely bakery. 

diy project chez rose bakery decor

Decor entirely handmade by the owner’s son, with oven mitts on the left and a clock made from an IKEA plate on the right 

cny snack chez rose pineapple tarts food yishun

With a kitchen behind the bakery, almost everything is both baked and sold in the same place. The pineapple tarts, which just melt in your mouth, taste heavenly. Whether you live in the North or happen to swing by the region, Chez Rose is an absolute must-visit!

chez rose bakery yishun

Address: Blk 235 Yishun Street 21 #01-466, Singapore 760235

Telephone: 6753 3303

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 9AM-9PM

 

8. Hong Kao Liao Li 

 

hong kao liao li bakery yi shun bakery

The entrance of Hong Kao Liao Li is already flooded with red and gold-capped containers of CNY food waiting for you to take them home. The hunger-inducing sight is truly enough for anyone to go mad, with classic Pineapple Tarts ($22) and Fish Skin ($16). 

pineapple tart cny snack hong kao liao li

This specific branch of Hong Kao Liao Li uniquely bakes its range of food at the outlet itself. A glance at the back of the bakery will show you the kitchen where all the magic happens, with large ovens, steaming trays of freshly-baked bread and of course, the final product – CNY goodies! 

hong kao liao li kitchen cny snack bakery yishun

It is always a pleasant surprise knowing that you baked goods are made fresh and at more traditional bakeries today. The next time you’re in the North, drop by the bakery to have a chat with the people that do the actual baking and learn about the actual baking process. You may very well learn quite a lot!

Address: Block 291, Yishun Street 22, Singapore 760291 

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 6.30AM-10.30PM

 

9. Fragrance

 

Selling traditional food since 1969, Fragrance’s ever popular bak kwa is a must-try. Also a walkable distance from DJ Bakery, this is where you’d find adorable pig-shaped bak kwa. Starting at prices of $20.40 for 600g for Bak Kwa Strips, it’s no surprise that there are large groups of people flocking here as well for their CNY shopping.

pig shaped bakkwa bak kwa cny snacks dj bakery

Aside from the bak kwa, Fragrance Foodstuff also has a wide range of salted egg food such as Salted Egg Fish Skin ($12) or Salted Egg Potato Chips ($7.50). The more you buy, the bigger the discount. It sounds almost too good to be true!

dj bakery salted egg snack cny snacks

The mouth-watering range of salted egg food available here is a dream come true for any salted egg fan.

cny salted egg potato chips dj bakery woodlands

Address: 60 Woodlands Terrace Singapore 738431

Telephone: 6257 8608

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 8.30AM-9PM

 

Northern neighbourhood stores selling CNY snacks 

 

tsl smart local lengkok sembawang road

Meeting a myriad of people from many different walks of life, you will realise that most elderly people will treat you like their own grandchildren if you took the time to engage them. The sincerity and openness from the people encountered during this journey was incredibly heart-warming. 

While the North certainly has its share of delicious Chinese New Year goodies, it is also full of colour and life that is a true joy to experience!

 

Stay updated on the latest happenings at Kampung Sembawang 

 

kampung sembawang

Image credit: Kampung Sembawang 

CNY period or not, there are always a ton of new updates on Kampung Sembawang’s Facebook page, whether it be must-know places to eat or other new discoveries! 

Check out our other North side articles here: 

Find out more about Kampung Sembawang here!


This post was brought to you by Kampung Sembawang.

Photography by Wei Shin Heng.

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