Only a few days left before Chinese New Year, which falls on 10 February this year. When the celebration used to be confined only to Chinese communities in the country, now, it has been fully embraced by the whole country, and Filipinos have cheerfully joined in the fun. Are you ready? Have you set the table of bounty, aside from the traditional tikoy? Here are some available treats that have been created especially for Chinese New Year this year.
Kung hei fat choy!
Two new chicken flavors
Sajang Chicken, the newest Boss Korean Chicken in the metro, has come up with two new chicken flavors for the Chinese New Year—Shaokao and Nori Cheese.
Shaokao has been inspired by traditional Chinese barbecue, which is known for its rich and aromatic profile. It is the perfect blend of smoky, savory and slightly spicy goodness.
Nori Cheese is our Boss Korean boneless chicken coated with sweet cheese and umami-rich nori.
Both are available in seven-piece (P299), 14-piece (P585) and 21-piece (P815) boxes for a limited time only.
Eight Treasures Ice Cream
This is the first time Sebastian’s Ice Cream created a Chinese New Year ice cream, so it is as festive as it can be. Inspired by ba bao fan, or Eight Treasures rice pudding, Sebastian’s Eight Treasures Rice Pudding Ice Cream is made with sticky rice and garnished with red bean paste, goji berries, jujube, gingko nuts, walnuts, squash seeds, dried apricots and dried pineapple. This ice cream for the Chinese New Year is available in scoops and hand-packed pints at the flagship store at The Podium until 15 February.
Three Celebration Breads
Masa Madre Bakehousehas just released its Chinese New Year bread creations, and there are three — Crusted Croissant with Salted Egg Filling (salted egg, a staple in Chinese celebrations, comes in custard form and complements the crusted croissant); Dragon Mochi Red Bean Egg (the older generation of Chinoys love red bean!); and Pistachio Tikoy Bread (yes, there is tikoy filling inside this “sosyal” bread). These breads are available at Masa Madre Bakehouse (Cocolight Bldg., BGC, or online) and at Fabrique (Public Eatery, Robinsons Magnolia)
Valentine’s Day cold treats
And since Valentine’s Day takes place four days after Chinese New Year this year, Sebastian’s Ice Cream is also ready with its limited-edition, super fun ice cream flavors for the occasion. The Valentine’s Day 2024 collection consists of Matinong Boyfriend (it’s calamansi pili this year, with calamansi curd ice cream with calamansi curd ribbon, garnished with roasted pili nuts from Bicol); Matinong Girlfriend (blue cheese ice cream topped with chicken skin chicharon and covered with buffalo wing sauce); Closure (smooth, chunk-less Thai red tea ice cream); and Unresolved Issues (and the Ampalaya Sorbet is back!).