5 Best carnival snacks for Chinese New Year in Singapore
During Chinese New Year in Singapore, there's a festive atmosphere often accompanied by carnivals or street fairs. These events feature a variety of snacks that are not only delicious but also integral to the celebration. Here are five of the best carnival snacks commonly enjoyed during Chinese New Year in Singapore:
Dragon Beard Candy (龙须糖)
Dragon Beard Candy (Chinese Cotton Candy): A traditional Chinese sweet treat, it's a type of hand-pulled cotton candy made from sugar and maltose syrup, often filled with peanuts, sesame seeds, and coconut. Its delicate and intricate texture makes it both a delight to watch being made and to eat.
2. Tang Yuan (Glutinous Rice Balls): These are sweet glutinous rice balls, typically served in a sweet soup. They come in various colors and are often filled with sweet fillings like black sesame, peanut, or red bean paste. Tang Yuan symbolizes family unity and harmony.
Tang Yuan (Glutinous Rice Balls)
Roasted Chestnuts Gao Lak
3. Roasted Chestnuts Gao Lak: A classic street snack, chestnuts are roasted right at the stall, filling the air with a warm, nutty aroma. They are a popular choice for a warm, satisfying snack, particularly during the cooler evenings of the Lunar New Year season.
Sugar-Coated Haws (Bingtanghulu):
4. Sugar-Coated Haws (Bingtanghulu): A traditional Chinese snack consisting of candied hawthorn berries skewered on bamboo sticks and coated in a hard sugar shell. These are not only sweet and tangy but also have a delightful crunch.
5. Ding Ding Candy (叮叮糖): The name "Ding Ding Tang" comes from the sound made during its preparation. This candy is typically hard and brittle, and it is known for its sweet flavor.
These snacks are not just about taste; they are a blend of cultural significance and festive joy, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore. Each snack, with its unique flavor and texture, contributes to the overall experience of the festivities.
