Hefty red packets, gorgeous cheongsams, and scrumptious reunion dinners – these are just some of the festivities we look forward to whenever the Lunar New Year rolls around. With this year’s CNY happening earlier than ever, it’s time to start planning your gatherings with the fam and parties with the gang.
Mark your calendars because from now till 5th February 2023, UOL Malls will be having their yearly CNY bonanza. Expect a slew of gifts to redeem, plus exciting lion dance performances to catch. Read on to find out more:
There are 3 red packet designs.
CNY essentials include red packets, mandarin oranges, and festive grub. From now till 5th February 2023, you can redeem a set of adorable red packets with every $88 spent ($68 for U-POPP members). These aren’t your usual envelope-style angbaos as they come in a 2-piece pull-out form for a fun twist.
Bid goodbye to fumbling for your oranges when you bai nian as you can score a reversible mandarin carrier with a set of red packets. Simply spend $188 ($168 for U-POPP members) and this practical yet stylish accessory will be yours.
You can also snag a can of Eu Yan Sang braised abalone (worth $68) with an additional spend of $50* in a single receipt.
If you’re hosting CNY parties, the 5-piece ceramic plate set will be a great addition to your coffee tables. There are 3 festive designs in total, and you can use the plates to display CNY treats like pineapple tarts and bak kua. All you have to do is spend $388 ($288 for U-POPP members) and you’ll get a set of plates and red packets.
*Redemption available on weekends at Velocity and weekdays at United Square.
Whether you’re superstitious or a sceptic, chances are you’ve heard of various Chinese New Year traditions such as staying up late on CNY eve and donning new clothes. Aside from those, there’s also the must-have lion dance performances to help chase away all evil and welcome prosperity in the new year.
Image credit: UOL Malls
If you’ve missed the iconic dong dong qiang performances, now’s your chance to watch them for free. From 26th-30th January 2023, United Square, Velocity, and KINEX will be hosting lion dance shows and drum performances for all – with special appearances from the Fortune God.
You can also catch the roving Fu Lu Shou and God of Fortune mascots that will grace the floors of KINEX on 13th and 20th January 2023.
United Square
Address: 101 Thomson Road, Singapore 307591
Lion dance performance date: 26th January 2023, 1.30pm
Drum performance date: 26th January 2023, 1pm
Velocity
Address: 238 Thomson Road, Singapore 307683
Lion dance performance date: 27th January 2023, 1pm
Drum performance date: 27th January 2023, 12.30pm & 5.30pm
KINEX
Address: 11 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437157
Lion dance performance date: 30th January 2023, 12pm
Mascot roving date: 13th January 2023, 12pm | 20th January 2023, 12pm
Image for illustrative purposes only.
While there’s always the option of having CNY gatherings at your home, you can also opt to head out and indulge in scrumptious meals at your nearby mall.
Make a trip down to United Square and check out Crown Prince Kitchenette for traditional Chinese dishes such as the 3 Treasures Poon Chai ($238), with a unique Malaysian twist. Or visit Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice, where you can get the Curry Fish Head at $27.50 to pair with their signature Hainanese chicken rice (from $5.60/plate).
Image adapted from: Chong Qing Premium Grilled Fish, Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh
Easties can head over to KINEX for a hearty bowl of bak kut teh (from $6.90/bowl) at Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh. Instead of having your usual steamboat, consider giving the charcoal grilled fish (from $36.80) at Chongqing Premium Grilled Fish a try. They also have their CNY set menu from $238/4 pax, where dishes such as yusheng and treasure pot will be included.
You can also lou hei at restaurants including TungLok Peking Duck.
Image credit: TungLok Peking Duck
Those in the central region need not FOMO as there’s also Song Fa Bak Kut Teh at Velocity. If you’ve been eyeing their Song Far Prosperity Fortune Pot ($218), you can pre-order them now and collect it on 18th and 19th January. The mall also has TungLok Peking Duck with CNY sets starting from $388/4 pax, should you and the fam lean towards a traditional reunion dinner.
For dessert, check out Han’s Café for some Western bakes such as their Strawberry Almond Flan ($50) or the Apple Crumble Pie (from $14.80). They also have yusheng platters from $58.80.
Spice up your CNY plans and visit the UOL malls with your loved ones – you’ll find that there are tonnes of shops to browse, thrilling performances to enjoy, and freebies to score.
While you’re out treating your tummy to delicious grub, consider treating the elderly, students, and people with disabilities in the art community too. You can make a donation to Community Chest via Giving.sg, where 100% of the donations will go to ART:DIS, AWWA Senior Community Home, and Care Corner through Community Chest.
All that’s left to do is practise your CNY greetings, so you can ensure the ang paos keep coming your way.
This post was brought to you by UOL Malls.
Photography by John Lim.
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