What do you get when you combine the thrill of blind boxes, the cuteness of lil food-themed plushies, and the whimsical immersion of New York’s Jellycat Diner experience? The Abalone Market Plush Experience at AMK Hub’s FairPrice Xtra, happening from now till 18th February 2026, 11am-7pm daily.
This pop-up is a joint project between FairPrice and Play Nation, which you may recognise as the gaming cafe in Dhoby Ghaut, but is also a wider “play brand” creating their own toys and games. Here are the fun CNY-themed activities and blind boxes available at the Abalone Market as well as other FairPrice outlets nationwide, just in time for the festive season:
You know those seafood displays you see at supermarkets? That’s how these adorable abalone plushie keychains – AKA Abalone Darlings – are displayed. They’re 100% originally designed by Play Nation BTW, and available exclusively at FairPrice. Choose between 6 uber cute designs, each symbolising very auspicious wishes for the year ahead:
Left to right:
You’ll want to collect multiple, if not the whole set, because their hands actually come with snap buttons that you can clasp together to make them “hold hands”. Awww! Imagine a whole row of them lined up Kumbaya style – definitely a statement decor piece in your home or on your dashboard.
To kickstart the Jellycat Diner-style experience, pick up the card corresponding to the abalone design you want. Then, make payment as you would for a regular supermarket purchase. Each Abalone Darling is priced at $18.80.
With your card paid for, head back to the pop-up “abalone market” and hand it to the friendly “chef” on duty. He’ll scrape off the bad luck of the previous years from your new abalone pal, and give it a good cleaning so you can start 2026 afresh, with more huat than ever before.
The activity is not only immersive, but interactive, as you are invited to clean the abalone yourself too – all while expressing your own wishes for the year ahead. Thereafter, the chef will submerge your abalone into a pot of imaginary soup, and proclaim that upon cooking, all your wishes and blessings for the Year of the Horse will come true. Period!
Now all that’s left to do is to keep your good luck freshly sealed in till you’re ready to pop the can open. An actual canning machine applies the lids on the very authentic-looking abalone cans, and you now have the cutest little abalone to unbox when you get home. Not gonna lie, tearing open the can makes for a pretty dang fun make-believe activity for young and old.
You’ll also get a sticker sheet to personalise your can with. Shoppers who buy all 6 designs will score a free abalone apron. All the better for you to recreate your own abalone chef moments at home!
For the immersive Abalone Market experience, you’ll have to head to FairPrice Xtra at AMK Hub for the exclusive pop-up.
Those who want to score the abalone plushie keychains without having to go through the “cooking” experience can buy them ala carte, blind box-style. Or should we say, blind can. So if you’re keen on getting a specific design or wish to collect the entire set of 6 designs, going the Abalone Market route will guarantee your haul.
You can buy the Abalone Darlings blind boxes at Xtra Play Market locations islandwide. These are dedicated Play Nation zones at selected FairPrice Xtra outlets, namely VivoCity, JEM, Jurong Point, and NEX.
If these abalone plushies have whetted your appetite for more cuddly companions, Play Nation has a bunch of other festive offerings to collect.
The Huat Ah! plush keyrings ($14.90) come in 8 designs centred around fortune and prosperity; think God of Wealth, Fortune Kitty, and a pillow $50 note. Definitely an auspicious companion to hang on your bag. Meanwhile, the Fortune Nibbles ($15.90) series houses your fave CNY goodies in cute zip pouch “snack jars”. You can also use the pouches to store coins and small essentials like your earpiece and keys – we love a multifunctional collectible!
Unlike the Abalone Darlings series, you can find Huat Ah! and Fortune Nibbles blind boxes at all FairPrice, FairPrice Finest, FairPrice Xtra, FairPrice Express, and even Cheers outlets in Singapore.
Stock up on a bunch of blind boxes for the bai nian gang to open amidst all the snacking and mahjong sessions. The plushies make for memorable keepsakes to have by your side for the year ahead. And if you’re looking for a fun activity that will also bless you with well wishes for 2026, make sure to swing by the Abalone Market.
Photography by Renae Cheng.
Get the Jellycat Diner experience with an auspicious CNY twist.
Huat ah.
Cheaper than most brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore.
Head to the quieter msueums in the north or east to avoid crowds.
Best for bulk shopping, especially for the festive season.
Use your CNY luck with the new blind boxes.