PUBLISHED January 29th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:13 pm
If time is a constraint to your yearly preparations this Chinese New Year, here’s a tip – you can pretty much find everything you need in the wonderful neighbourhood of Serangoon Gardens. We’ve done the legwork to suss out the best places to eat, shop, and be happy this Lunar New Year of the Goat – you’re welcome!
Eat Hearty
The abundance of food has been characteristic of the Chinese New Year festivities and there’s no better place to indulge than at Wo Peng Restaurant (myVillage, #02-01). Head Chef Julian Tam, the former Executive Chef of Furama Palace at Furama City Centre Hotel, was the first chef to bring the now ubiquitous Poon Choy (a casserole of seafood delicacies) into our Chinese food scene. On top of their traditional Lunar New Year set menus, enjoy authentic Cantonese cuisine such as flavourful soups, dim sum, and other dishes at Wo Peng – perfect for that Chinese New Year gathering you’ve been planning!
If you prefer to dial up the spice on your nosh, drop by the iconic, three-decade old Pow Sing (63-65 Serangoon Garden Way) for decent curry fish head, peppery ngoh hiang, and Hainanese chicken rice. Classic, no-frills dining at its best, this is your best stop for lunch in the neighbourhood after all that shopping.
Don’t let the customary Chinese New Year snacks deprive you of your obsession with cheese, really. Make another pit stop at of La Petite Boutique (4 Kensington Park Road) for their French cheeses, wines, and breads. Treating your family and friends to the fine foods of this specialty shop will ensure that your home will be a must-visit on the circuit this year.
Dress to Impress
Among all the traditions observable for the occasion, dressing up in new clothing is one integral way to welcome the New Year. Despite Serangoon Gardens being a foodie haven, trust us when we say there’re a couple of hidden retail gems in plain sight. Lacking that touch of bling? Make a beeline for U-Design (myVillage, #01-06). This neighbourhood stalwart offers the latest in Korean-imported accessories – they’ll definitely have the accentuations you’re looking for to complete that perfect ensemble.
Lemon Chiffon (12A Kensington Park Road) is a cozy boutique chock full of stylish apparel and accessories. This cozy boutique has loads of one-of-a-kind finds you’ll love. Alternatively, C‘est La Vie, the newest fashion kid on the myVillage (#01-07) block carries a wide variety of feminine frocks for the ladies with new designs in every week.
Glam Up
New year, new look – it never hurts to abide by the old adage. Leave your mane in the care of professional stylists at Cuttour (myVillage #01-25), which has managed to establish a loyal cult at their original salon in Kovan. Their second outlet at Serangoon Gardens is testament to their skilled hands and great service.
If your digits are looking slightly lackluster, perk them up at myVillage’s resident nail bar, Nail Addict (#01-03). Their well-trained nail artists will be waiting to pamper you with a rockin’ mani-pedi for the New Year.
A Toast to Good Health
Please the old folks with your desire for their good health by presenting them with a nourishing hamper (from $88) or two of abalone, bird’s nest, traditional herbs, and dried goods from Hock Hua Tonic (myVillage, #B1-08). As for toasting to your good health, there’s no shortage of wine to go around in Serangoon Gardens.
Check out the ever reliable and value for money Wine Connection (myVillage, #B1-05), which boasts of a dedicated team of experts that taste over two thousand wines every year, bringing you great wines at great prices. Another option would be the 1855 Bottle Shop (5 Maju Avenue, #01-00). The liquor shop stocks more than 800 premium wines (from both Old World and New) and spirits, so there’s certainly something for everyone here this Chinese New Year!
This post is sponsored by myVillage at Serangoon Gardens. myVillage is located at 1 Maju Avenue, Singapore 556679.
Top Image: myVillage and Pow Sing Restaurant