10 Halal Restaurants for Celebrating Chinese New Year
This article should have probably come out way earlier, but we've been swamped with work and the big move, so we didn't quite find the time. Nonetheless, it is the second day of Chinese New Year in Singapore and since the first two days are usually spent with family, it's not too late for a dinner celebration with your friends, colleagues or clients!
In Singapore, Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is typically celebrated for 15 days. The festivities usually begin on the first day of the lunar calendar's first month and culminate with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. However, the most intense celebrations usually occur during the first few days, with families gathering for reunion dinners, exchanging red packets (ang baos), and visiting relatives and friends to offer well-wishes for the new year. Public holidays usually span over two to three days, allowing people to fully participate in the festivities. For 2024, we’re lucky enough to enjoy a long weekend!
This period is a time of reunion, reflection, and celebration, where we come together with our loved ones to usher in prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. For those of us with Muslim friends, colleagues and clients, finding the perfect place to celebrate can sometimes be a challenge. That's why I've curated this list of 10 Halal-certified restaurants in Singapore, each offering delicious Yu Sheng options, so you can enjoy the Lunar New Year festivities with ease and joy.
10 Restaurants with Halal Certified CNY Menu & Yu Sheng:
1. Permata
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a touch of Peranakan heritage at Permata, which is located at the iconic Gedung Kuning at Sultan Gate. Their Halal Chinese New Year 1-for-1 Buffet, available from 10 to 18 February 2024, offers a delightful selection of symbolic dishes curated by Chef Mel Dean. Feast on traditional favourites and don't miss out on their Halal Yu Sheng, available from 5 to 25 February 2024, to toss for abundance and prosperity in the new year.
Location: 73 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198497
Website: Permata
2. 21 On Rajah
Indulge in a delightful selection of mouthwatering Mediterranean and Asian Lunar New Year delicacies at 21 On Rajah. We love how they tweak their seasonal offerings based on the different holidays. From savoury dishes to sweet treats, this buffet feast promises to leave you feeling satisfied. Located at Aloft Singapore Novena, the ambiance is welcoming, making it the perfect spot for a festive gathering with loved ones. There is also a room dedicated for prayers, if needed.
Location: Aloft Singapore Novena, East Wing, 1 Jalan Rajah Singapore 329133
Website: 21 On Rajah
3. J65 Restaurant
J65 Restaurant at Hotel Jen Tanglin offers a Prosperity Lunch + Dinner Buffet, featuring hearty seafood broths, fresh salmon, and DIY Yu Sheng. This Halal-certified restaurant provides a warm and welcoming ambiance, perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year with loved ones. There is also a room dedicated for prayers, if needed. Having been there for their Ramadan buffet last year, we have to say that this hotel has one of the best thematic hotel decorations in Singapore!
Location: 1A Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249716
Website: J65 Restaurant
4. Jiak Modern Tze Char
Jiak Modern Tze Char offers an inviting setting where authentic Tze Char dishes are served in a family-friendly and Halal environment. With a modern and cozy ambiance, Jiak is known for its delicious comfort food at affordable prices. Their signature ‘Curry Fish Head’ is a crowd favourite, and their Halal-certified Yu Sheng adds a festive touch to any meal.
Location: 4 Hillview Rise, #02-04, Singapore 669554
Website: Jiak Modern Tze Char
5. Home Of Seafood
Home Of Seafood serves up Halal Authentic Chinese Seafood, perfect for your Chinese New Year celebrations. Whether you choose to dine in or order islandwide delivery, you can enjoy fresh and flavourful seafood dishes that will impress your seafood-loving friends. They can accommodate to super big groups too, so make your reservations early if needed!
Location: 1 Joo Chiat Pl, Singapore 427739
Instagram: Home Of Seafood
6. Asian Market Cafe
Asian Market Cafe, situated at Fairmont Singapore, offers a lavish buffet spread that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Asia. From Chinese dim sum to Malay kueh, guests can indulge in a diverse range of Halal-certified dishes. Their Nian Gao dessert is a sweet tradition to ring in the Lunar New Year with prosperity and good fortune.
Location: Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560
Website: Asian Market Cafe
7. The Buffet Restaurant
The Buffet Restaurant at M Hotel offers a unique dining experience with its Chinese-style steamboat buffet. Located at 81 Anson Road, Level 2, this Halal-certified restaurant boasts an extensive array of fresh seafood, premium meat options, and hand-crafted desserts. It's the great place to gather with friends, colleagues and clients for a memorable Chinese New Year celebration.
Location: M Hotel, 81 Anson Road, Level 2, Singapore 079908
Instagram: The Buffet Restaurant at M Hotel
8. Straits Kitchen
Straits Kitchen has been around for many years and offers a gastronomic tour of Singapore's rich food culture, serving up a vast range of local delicacies including Halal-certified buffet spread with Yu Sheng. We really enjoy watching local veteran hawkers whip up a colourful selection of dishes at their halal-certified kitchens with huge viewing windows. Truly a unique experience, every time we dine here.
Location: Grand Hyatt, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211
9. Mutiara Seafood
Get ready to indulge in a seafood feast this Chinese New Year at Mutiara Seafood! With a wide range of seafood dishes to choose from, there's something to satisfy every palate. Whether you're planning a family reunion or a festive gathering with friends, Mutiara Seafood is the perfect place to keep your festive spirits high and your tables full. Plus, we're open throughout Chinese New Year, so make your reservations with us and let us serve up joy and deliciousness to make your celebrations truly memorable.
Location: 1 Engku Aman Turn, #01-02 & #02-02/03 Wisma Geylang Serai, Singapore, 408528
Website: Mutiara Seafood
10. Peppermint
Step into a world of culinary delights at Peppermint Restaurant, nestled within ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay Singapore. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with their Jubilant Abundance Feast, available for lunch and dinner until 25 February 2024. Indulge in a wholesome spread of all-time favorites crafted by Chef de Cuisine Leon Yee and his Culinary Team. From Asian classics to international delights, there's something to tantalize every taste bud at Peppermint.
Location: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594
Website: Peppermint
And there you have it, a curated list of 10 halal-certified restaurants perfect for hosting your friends, colleagues or clients during the joyous festivities of Chinese New Year 2024! For many years, I’ve always been tasked with finding halal restaurants suitable for various occasions. So, I hope this list helps you if you’re in a similar position as I am, or if you're a Chinese-Muslim revert looking for a place to bring your family, these restaurants could work too!
Growing up in Singapore, we've embraced diverse cultural traditions, so don’t forget to keep that tradition alive! This Lunar New Year, celebrate the spirit of togetherness and prosperity with the people around us, and grab the opportunity to bond over delicious cuisine in the spirit of harmony and celebration! Happy Chinese New Year to all of our friends and followers who are celebrating, and may the year of the dragon bring you lots of courage, strength and boundless success!
Disclaimer: All photographs featured in this article belong to the respective businesses mentioned. This is not a sponsored post, and all opinions expressed are our own. We aim to provide unbiased recommendations based on personal experiences and research.