The most popular CNY goodies in Singapore include pineapple tarts, love letters, almond cookies, bak kwa, kueh bangkit, and assorted festive gift boxes. These Chinese New Year snacks are chosen for their cultural symbolism, crowd-pleasing flavours, and suitability for gifting during house visits and reunion gatherings. Every Chinese New Year in Singapore comes with one guaranteed tradition — stocking up on the goodies that fill coffee tables, gift hampers, and reunion gatherings. While trends evolve slightly each year, some treats remain timeless favourites that Singaporean families always buy.
Based on festive buying patterns, online search trends, and Singapore’s long-standing snack culture, here are the 10 most popular CNY goodies that consistently make it into homes and gift bags. Whether you're preparing for guests or gifting relatives, this list shows what Singaporeans really look for each Lunar New Year.
10 most Popular CNY Goodies 2026
In Singapore, CNY goodies are more than snacks, they are a key part of bai nian visits, open houses, and festive gifting. Families prepare multiple jars at home to welcome guests, while companies often gift curated CNY goodie boxes to clients and employees.
This list helps families decide which CNY goodies to prioritise each year, whether buying for home snacking, festive gifting, or corporate hampers.
1. Pineapple Tarts
Pineapple tarts remain the most searched CNY goodies in Singapore due to their symbolism of prosperity and their popularity in both home and corporate gifting.
Pineapple tarts are the iconic CNY snack in Singapore, symbolic, buttery, and universally loved. Families buy them in multiple jars because they disappear fast, especially during house visits.
Singaporeans typically choose tarts that are:
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Buttery and melt-in-the-mouth
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Filled with real, tangy pineapple jam
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Freshly baked, not factory-processed
They’re also the most popular gifting item in festive hampers and corporate boxes.
2. Love Letters (Kueh )
Thin, crisp, and incredibly addictive, love letters are a nostalgic treat for many Singaporean families. Some enjoy them rolled, others prefer them folded into triangles.
Why they remain a top pick:
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Light and crispy
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Strong coconut fragrance
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Great for sharing at gatherings
3. Almond Cookies
Soft crumbly almond cookies are always seen on CNY snack tables. Their mild sweetness and fragrant nutty flavour appeal to all ages — especially elders.
Trends show that Singaporeans prefer:
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Soft, melt-in-mouth texture
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Fresh almond aroma
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Less sweet versions
They’re also common in healthier CNY snack selections.
4. Kuih Bangkit
Kueh bangkit remains a traditional favourite among Peranakan and Malay-Chinese households. These cookies are light, airy, and pandan-fragrant, melting instantly on the tongue.
Though simple, they’re considered a festive essential due to their cultural significance and comforting flavour.
5. Bak Kwa
No CNY trend list is complete without bak kwa — sweet, smoky, barbecued meat slices that families queue hours for.
Always in high demand because:
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It’s the most traditional savoury CNY snack
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Perfect for reunion dinner, gifting, and snacking
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Comes in multiple flavours (pork, beef, sliced, coin-shaped)
Bak kwa consistently tops the charts in Singapore’s festive food searches.
6. Cashew Cookies
Cashew cookies are another nutty staple often seen in Chinese households during CNY. With a buttery base and roasted cashew on top, these cookies offer the perfect combination of crunch and fragrance.
Families love them because the flavour suits all ages and they pair well with tea.
7. Shrimp Rolls (Hae Bee Hiam Rolls)
Spicy, crispy shrimp rolls are a must-have for families who enjoy a savoury kick. Their addictive heat makes them a crowd favourite in multi-generational households.
Why they’re so popular:
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Strong hae bee hiam aroma
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Crisp crunch
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Perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy
They consistently trend on online snack stores every CNY.
8. Macadamia or Chocolate Chip Cookies
Modern families, especially younger households, love adding Western-style cookies to their CNY snack mix.
Trendy choices include:
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Macadamia butter cookies
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Chocolate chip cookies
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Coffee-infused butter cookies
These appeal to kids, teens, and anyone who prefers something indulgent beyond traditional offerings.
9. Mini Crunchy Snacks (Crispy Crab Stick, Arrowhead Chips, Fish Skin)
Crispy savoury chips — once considered “extra” — are now essential CNY snacks.
Popular picks include:
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Crispy crab sticks
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Salted egg or spicy fish skin
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Arrowhead (ngaku) chips
These snacks are linked to the rising trend of “new-school” CNY treats that offer intense flavour and crunch.
10. Assorted Festive Gift Boxes
Instead of buying single jars, more families now prefer CNY gift boxes and curated sets that combine multiple goodies in beautiful packaging.
Why the trend is growing:
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Saves time choosing individual snacks
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Looks premium when gifting
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Offers variety for guests
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Perfect for visiting relatives or colleagues
Gift sets are especially popular among younger working adults who want convenience and aesthetic packaging.
Why These CNY Goodies Stay Popular
Despite new flavours and modern trends, these 10 categories remain favourites because they represent:
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Tradition
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Festive symbolism
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Familiar flavours
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Crowd-pleasing tastes
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Easy sharing during gatherings
Singaporeans value both heritage and convenience, which is why homes always feature a mix of classic cookies and modern bite-sized snacks.
Takeaway
From buttery pineapple tarts to crisp hae bee hiam rolls and nostalgic love letters, these CNY goodies reflect what Singaporean families treasure most during Lunar New Year, flavour, tradition, and togetherness.