Dining out? These restaurants will be open this Chinese New Year

It’s that time of the year again, when family members and friends from all over Singapore (and possibly beyond!) gather to usher in the Lunar New Year, indulge in feasting and be merry. But while visiting the homes of your nearest and dearest is a customary practice for many Singaporeans, not everyone celebrates Chinese New Year or has the bandwidth to cater a full meal for all their guests.

However, amidst the celebrations, there arises a common dilemma. Where does one go to eat, when most shops and eateries are shut on the first and second day of CNY? No need to fret — we’ve sussed out a (non-exhaustive) list of restaurants that’ll stay open during Chinese New Year.

1. Soup Restaurant

Homegrown brand Soup Restaurant was first established in 1991 on Smith Street, and has since expanded to multiple outlets found islandwide. It’s best known for its signature Samsui Ginger Chicken, nourishing soups, and a wide array of comforting homestyle dishes, which you can get your fix of since all its outlets will be open throughout Chinese New Year.

CNY opening dates: All outlets are open throughout Chinese New Year (11.30am to 10pm)

Visit Soup Restaurant’s website for more information.

2. En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh

If the BKT craving hits in between house visits, check out En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh. Its outlets at Suntec City, Vivocity and Chinatown Point remain open from Jan 28 to 30. Here, you can dig into herbal-style bak kut the (its signature version comes with four cuts of meat), as well as dry versions with a dark savoury sauce.

CNY opening hours:
Jan 28: 11am to 5pm
Jan 29: 12pm to 8pm
Jan 30: 11am to 10pm

Visit En Yeoh’s Bak Kut Teh’s website or Instagram page for more information.

3. Ippudo

Looking for something apart from Chinese New Year dishes? Make your way to ramen chain Ippudo. It’s best known for ramen, especially its Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen with a thick, creamy pork-based broth, but you can fill your bellies with other dishes like mazesoba, innovative sushi rolls, and even fried chicken. Take note that only the outlets below will remain open during CNY.

CNY opening hours:
Jan 28 to 30, 2025
Marina Bay Sands #B2-54/55: 11am to 11pm
Raffles City #B1-61/62: 11am to 10pm
i12 Katong #01-04: 11am to 10pm

Business as usual for all outlets from Jan 31, 2025 onwards.

Visit Ippudo’s website for more information.

4. Citrus By The Pool

If you’re in the North of the island, you’d want to drop by Citrus by the Pool, a halal Western fusion cafe nestled in Woodlands. It underwent a revamp in 2021, and has since opened to boast chirpy, eclectic interiors decked with neon lights splashed across mint walls and a botanical wall feature. You can expect Western and fusion fare as well as Thai food here, from fried chicken burgers to tom yum fried rice, and grilled meats.

On the eve of CNY and on the first two days of the Lunar New Year, it’s open till 5am (last order at 4am) — great if you’re looking to satisfy a rumbling tummy in the wee hours of the morning.

CNY opening dates:
Jan 28: 11am to 5am (last order at 4am)
Jan 29 and 30: 5pm to 5am (last order at 4am)

Citrus by the Pool is a halal-certified establishment. Located at 3 Woodlands Street 13, Woodlands Swimming Complex, Singapore 738600. Visit its website for more information.

5. Monster Curry

With 13 outlets (and more in the pipeline) around the island, you’ll be sure to find one near you. Satisfy your hunger with its giant plates of rice, creamy eggs and other toppings in a pool of its signature demi-glace curry cooked using 14 different vegetables and spices.

CNY opening dates:
Jan 28: 11am to 5pm (last order at 4.30pm)
Jan 29: 1pm to 8pm
Jan 30: Business as usual (11am to 10pm)

Visit Monster Curry’s website for more information.

6. The Marmalade Pantry

Serving up modern bistro cuisine infused with a local twist, homegrown bistro The Marmalade Pantry has four outlets – the flagship store at Ion Orchard, Oasia Hotel Novena, Oasia Hotel Downtown, and Anchorpoint Shopping Centre. Food-wise, you can look forward to pasta, burgers, roasts and various pastries.

CNY opening dates:

Ion Orchard:
Jan 28 (10am to 5pm)
Jan 29 to 31: Business as usual
Oasia Hotel and Oasia Hotel Downtown: Business as usual
Anchorpoint: Closed on Jan 28, business as usual from Jan 29 to 31

Visit The Marmalade Pantry’s website for more information.

7. Dian Xiao Er

If you’re done marvelling at the CNY decorations that Jewel Changi has on display and feeling peckish, Dian Xiao Er’s doors remain open on the first day of the Lunar New Year. And on day two, its Vivocity and Jem outlets are open, too. For celebrating with loved ones, it has various set menus that include its Signature Herbal Roast Duck, Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng, and five new auspicious dishes.

CNY opening hours
Jan 29: Jewel Changi Airport (11am to 10pm)
Jan 30: Jewel Changi Airport, Vivocity and Jem (11am to 10pm)
Jan 31: Business as usual for all outlets

Visit Dian Xiao Er’s website or Instagram page for more information.

8. La Pizzaiola

We’d say yes to a slice of pizza or pasta any time of the year. If that’s on the agenda, make a beeline for any of La Pizzaiola’s three outlets (Jalan Riang, Kalidasa Avenue and Bukit Timah), which are open from the first day of CNY.

It has recently refreshed its menu too, and you can look forward to sinking your teeth into the likes of the Pizza Portobello, Gorgonzala e Cipolla (tomato, mozzarella fior di latte, portobello mushrooms, bacon and onion), and Pasta Salsiccia Portobello Pomodoro w Panna, a hearty dish tossed in pink sauce with Italian sausage and portobello mushroom.

CNY opening hours
Jan 28: Closed
Jan 29 onwards: Business as usual

Visit La Pizzaiola’s website for more information.

9. Modu Samgyetang

Billing itself Singapore’s first samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup) specialty restaurant, the newly opened Modu Samgyetang will satiate your craving for something warm and comforting to balance all the CNY snacking. Conveniently located in Mandarin Gallery, it will remain open during its usual hours throughout the Chinese New Year period.

CNY opening hours:
Normal operating hours throughout CNY
Mon to Fri: 11.30am to 10pm

Modu Samgyetang is at #02-37 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd, Singapore 23889. 

Visit Modu’s website for more information.

This article was originally published in The Singapore Women’s Weekly.