What Are the Must-Buy CNY Snacks in Singapore?

If you've ever stood in front of a CNY snack display and wondered what's actually worth buying, you're not alone. Every year, the options multiply. New flavours emerge, old classics get reimagined, and suddenly you're standing there with a shopping list that looks more like a novel than a grocery run.

Here's the thing: locals already know what works. They've been through enough reunion dinners to understand which snacks disappear within minutes and which ones sit untouched until someone reluctantly takes them home. So instead of guessing, we asked around. What do Singaporeans actually reach for when they're stocking up for the Lunar New Year?

The answers? Surprisingly consistent. And very telling about what really matters when you're hosting, visiting, or just trying to survive the festive period without snack regret.

The Golden Rule: Baked Beats Fried (Almost Always)

Before we dive into the list, let's address something that keeps coming up in local circles: the great baked versus fried debate.

Most Singaporeans lean heavily toward baked snacks these days, especially when hosting. Not because fried options aren't delicious (they absolutely are), but because reunion dinners are already heavy. By the time you've worked through a steamboat, roasted meats, and multiple rounds of yusheng, the last thing anyone wants is something oily sitting in their stomach.

Baked snacks are lighter, easier to share, and they don't leave your fingers greasy when you're mid-conversation with relatives you only see once a year. That said, there are exceptions. Some fried classics still hold their ground because the flavour payoff is too good to skip.

The Must-Buy List (In No Particular Order)

1. Pineapple Tarts

If there's one snack that defines CNY in Singapore, it's this. Buttery pastry. Sweet, caramelised pineapple filling. A texture that crumbles just right without falling apart in your hand.

You'll find pineapple tarts everywhere during this season, but not all of them deliver on that perfect balance of sweetness and melt-in-the-mouth quality. The best versions use hand-peeled pineapples slow-cooked in small batches, which gives the filling that deep, natural caramelisation you can't fake with shortcuts.

Why locals love it: It's a tradition, but a good tradition. The kind that doesn't feel outdated because the execution still matters. Plus, it's one of those snacks that works across all age groups. Your grandmother approves, your kids reach for seconds, and your colleagues won't judge you for bringing a tin to the office.

If you're looking for a version that nails the classic while keeping things refined, Mama G's Golden Pineapple Tarts are worth considering. This French-style bakery in Singapore has built a reputation for handcrafted pastries that balance tradition with technique, and their pineapple tarts reflect that approach. Each one is hand-rolled by their bakers, and the filling has that slow-cooked richness that makes you reach for another piece even when you're full. At $35 for a 400g tin with about 30 cookies, they're priced reasonably for the level of care that goes into each batch.

2. Love Letters (Kueh Kapit)

Crispy, delicate, and slightly sweet, love letters are the snack equivalent of catching up with someone you haven't seen in years. They're familiar, comforting, and surprisingly easy to finish without realising you've eaten half the tin.

These thin, rolled wafers are made by pressing batter between hot iron moulds, which gives them that signature crisp texture. The best ones have a subtle coconut flavour and a golden-brown colour that comes from just the right amount of caramelisation.

Why locals love it: They're not heavy. You can eat three or four without feeling guilty, and they pair well with tea, which means they're perfect for those extended afternoon visits. Also, they're one of the few CNY snacks that feel light enough to enjoy post-meal without regretting life decisions.

3. Salted Egg Yolk Cookies

This is where things get modern. Salted egg yolk became a trend a few years back, and while some trends fade, this one stuck around for a reason. The combination of buttery cookie and that rich, umami-laden salted egg flavour hits differently.

Good versions balance the savoury and sweet without letting one overpower the other. You want that golden aroma, the slight crumble of the cookie, and a lingering richness that makes you pause before reaching for the next one (but you will reach for the next one).

Why locals love it: It's familiar enough to feel traditional but interesting enough to stand out. Plus, it's one of those snacks that guests finish first because it's not something you eat every day.

Pâtisserie CLÉ's take on this involves their Salted Egg Yolk Cereal Cookies, which layer in crisp cereal flakes for extra texture. The added crunch makes each bite more satisfying, and the umami depth is exactly what you want without crossing into overly salty territory. At around 40 cookies per 300g tin for $32, they're sized well for sharing or gifting.

4. Bak Kwa

Okay, this one's technically fried-ish (or grilled, depending on who you ask), but it's non-negotiable. Sweet, savoury, slightly charred pork jerky that somehow tastes better when it's eaten straight from the bag, still warm.

Bak kwa is one of those CNY staples that transcends trends. It's been around forever, and it's not going anywhere because the combination of caramelised sweetness, smokiness, and tender-chewy texture is borderline addictive.

Why locals love it: It's substantial. Unlike cookies or chips, bak kwa feels like an actual snack that can tide you over between meals. And let's be honest, it's one of the few CNY treats that people actively queue for because freshness matters.

5. Arrowhead Chips

Thinly sliced, fried until crispy, and lightly salted, arrowhead chips are the savoury option that balances out all the sweet stuff on the table. They're crunchy, moreish, and just oily enough to feel indulgent without being heavy.

Why locals love it: They're a palate cleanser. After working through pineapple tarts and cookies, having something savoury and crisp hits the spot. Plus, they're one of the few snacks that feel distinctly Asian without being overly traditional.

6. Prawn Rolls

Crispy, golden rolls filled with prawn paste and wrapped in bean curd skin before being fried to perfection. They're savoury, crunchy, and one of those snacks that disappear fast because they're easy to eat in one or two bites.

Why locals love it: They feel special. Prawn rolls aren't something you'd snack on casually outside of CNY, which makes them feel more festive. And because they're fried, they have that satisfying crunch that pairs well with tea or beer, depending on the time of day.

7. Cookies with Creative Balance

While traditional cookies have their place, there's something to be said for versions that bring in a bit of creativity without losing the essence of what makes CNY snacks satisfying.

Think cookies that balance nuttiness with sweetness, or those that layer in unexpected textures. Pâtisserie CLÉ has leaned into this with their Sesame & Almond Yin Yang Cookies, which combine roasted sesame and smooth almond in a way that feels symbolic and tastes genuinely good. The light crunch melts into a warm, aromatic finish, and the balance between the two flavours makes them easy to keep eating. At about 40 cookies per 300g tin for $32, they're priced similarly to their other cookie options.

Or if you're leaning toward something richer, their Dark Chocolate & Fleur de Sel Cookies bring that deep cocoa richness with a subtle savoury contrast from the sea salt. They're refined without being overly fancy, and the hand-shaped, tender finish makes them feel more special than your average store-bought option.

Why locals love it: Modern doesn't have to mean gimmicky. When the execution is right, updated versions of classic cookies can hold their own alongside tradition.

When You Want to Go Beyond the Basics

Sometimes, you're not just stocking up for your own family. Maybe you're visiting someone whose home already has five tins of pineapple tarts, or you're looking for something that feels more like a gift than a grocery run.

This is where curated options come into play. Instead of buying individual tins and hoping they work together, consider a selection that's already been thoughtfully assembled.

Abundant Cookie Gift Box - $50

Pâtisserie CLÉ's Abundant Cookie Gift Box is a good example of this approach. It brings together three distinct flavours (salted egg yolk cereal, dark chocolate fleur de sel, and sesame almond yin yang) in one elegant package. Each flavour gets about 160g with roughly 20 pieces, so you're covering savoury, sweet, and nutty without making people choose. At $50, it's positioned as a proper gift rather than a casual snack purchase, and the presentation reflects that.

What makes it work: It's balanced. You're not overwhelming anyone with one flavour profile, and the packaging feels considered rather than last-minute. Plus, there are bulk discounts (5% off when you buy 5 or more, 10% off at 10 or more), which makes sense if you're buying for multiple households.

Eight Treasures Dessert Box - $88

Or if you want to lean fully into the festive spirit and offer something that stands out from the usual cookie-and-tart lineup, Pâtisserie CLÉ's Eight Treasures Dessert Box takes things in a completely different direction. Instead of cookies or tarts, you're looking at eight handcrafted petit desserts, each inspired by traditional Lunar New Year motifs but executed with French pastry techniques.

Inside, you'll find flavours like Orh nee & salted egg (silky yam and coconut mousse with salted egg cream), matcha sesame (earthy mousse with a nutty sesame financier), and mandarin chocolate (smooth mousse with aromatic mandarin confit). There's also a lychee-rose-raspberry combination (their Ispahan), a mango-pomelo tart, and even a cookies & cream version shaped like the God of Fortune (财神爷). You also get a Golden Pillow with chrysanthemum mousse and goji jelly, which leans into traditional wellness ingredients.

It's not your typical CNY snack spread, but that's the point. If you're visiting someone who appreciates craftsmanship or if you're hosting and want to offer something that stands out, this hits differently. At $88, it's positioned as a centrepiece rather than a casual add-on, but the level of detail in each piece justifies it. Do note that this comes as a fixed set, so you can't swap out individual items, but the variety is intentionally designed to cover different flavour profiles.

What works here: It's a conversation starter. People will ask where you got it, what's inside, and whether that's actually yam mousse they're tasting. It bridges the gap between traditional CNY symbolism (eight treasures, prosperity motifs) and modern pastry techniques, which makes it feel festive without being stuck in the past.

How to Actually Build Your CNY Snack Lineup

Okay, so you know what's worth buying. But how do you put together a spread that makes sense without going overboard?

Here's a simple framework that locals tend to follow, whether they realise it or not:

Start with one classic. This is your anchor. Pineapple tarts, love letters, or kueh bangkit. Something familiar that sets the tone and makes people feel like they're in the right place.

Add one crunchy snack. Arrowhead chips or prawn rolls work well here. You want something that contrasts with the softer textures of cookies and tarts, and something savoury helps balance the sweetness.

Balance with a savoury option. Bak kwa is the obvious choice, but salted egg yolk cookies can also fill this role if you're keeping things lighter.

Choose baked over fried when possible. Not a hard rule, but a guideline that keeps your spread from feeling heavy. If you do include fried options, limit them to one or two standout items rather than half the table.

This approach gives you variety without redundancy, and it keeps things approachable for mixed-age groups. Your older relatives get their familiar favourites, younger guests have something interesting to try, and no one feels like they're missing out.

What CNY Snacks Do Guests Finish First?

This question comes up every year, and the answer is surprisingly consistent: pineapple tarts and anything salted egg yolk.

Pineapple tarts go fast because they're universally loved and easy to eat. They don't require explanation, and they work with tea, coffee, or just on their own.

Salted egg yolk snacks disappear quickly because they're newer and more interesting. People are still in that phase of "oh, this is good" rather than "I've had this a hundred times." The novelty factor hasn't worn off yet, and honestly, the flavour combination is strong enough that it might never wear off.

If you're hosting and want to make sure you don't run out of the good stuff, buy extra of these two categories. You'll thank yourself later.

Are Pineapple Tarts Still Popular?

Short answer: yes. Long answer: absolutely yes, and they're not going anywhere.

Every year, someone predicts that pineapple tarts will lose their appeal. Maybe because they're too common, or because newer options are more exciting. But here's the reality: pineapple tarts aren't popular because they're trendy. They're popular because they're consistently good when done right.

The best versions balance sweetness without being cloying, have a buttery pastry that doesn't feel greasy, and maintain a texture that's satisfying to bite into. When a bakery nails that combination, people keep coming back.

So yes, pineapple tarts are still popular. And they will be next year. And probably for the next few decades.

What Snacks Are Good for Mixed-Age Groups?

If you're hosting a gathering where ages range from toddlers to grandparents, you want snacks that don't alienate anyone.

Safe bets: pineapple tarts, love letters, and bak kwa. These are familiar, not too sweet, and don't require an acquired taste.

Slightly more adventurous but still approachable: salted egg yolk cookies, sesame almond cookies, and dark chocolate cookies. They're different enough to feel interesting but not so out-there that older guests will skip them.

Avoid: anything overly spicy, excessively sweet, or with unfamiliar textures. CNY gatherings are about comfort and familiarity, so save the experimental snacks for smaller, more adventurous groups.

Timing Matters (More Than You Think)

One thing that doesn't get talked about enough: when you buy your CNY snacks.

If you're ordering online or from boutique bakeries, early bird promotions can save you a significant amount. For instance, Pâtisserie CLÉ's Lunar New Year collection runs from 1st February to 3rd March 2026, but they're offering 10% off CNY menu items (with a minimum spend of $80, not inclusive of delivery) until 23rd January. That's a decent discount if you're stocking up or buying gifts.

Waiting until the last minute might mean settling for whatever's left on shelves, and during CNY season, popular items sell out fast. If you know you want something specific like a particular brand of pineapple tarts or a curated gift box, ordering ahead makes sense.

Plus, many of their items come with bulk purchase discounts. If you're buying for multiple occasions (office gifting, family visits, your own home), hitting that 5-piece or 10-piece threshold can add up to real savings.

Final Thoughts: What Actually Matters

At the end of the day, CNY snacks aren't just about what tastes good. They're about what brings people together, what sparks conversation, and what makes someone feel welcome when they walk into your home.

You don't need twenty different options. You need a few really good ones that cover different flavour profiles and textures. You need at least one classic that feels like home, and maybe one or two items that feel a little special.

And honestly? If you're putting thought into what you're buying and where it's coming from, you're already ahead of the game. The snacks that get remembered aren't necessarily the most expensive or the most exotic. They're the ones that show care, whether that's through hand-rolled pastry, slow-cooked fillings, or just the fact that you took the time to find something worth sharing.

Whether you're going traditional with pineapple tarts and love letters, leaning into modern flavours like salted egg yolk, or surprising people with something like a dessert box that blends French technique with Asian flavours, the goal is the same: make people feel good. Make them reach for seconds. Make them ask where you got it.

So stock up smartly. Buy what you actually want to eat. And if someone finishes the entire tin of pineapple tarts before lunchtime, just accept it as a sign that you chose well.