Last updated: January 2024
Chinese New Year is fast approaching and it is one of the most festive occasions in Malaysia. It is the time where families gather, friends go out together, and who forgets the red lanterns, exquisite firework shows, and the fancy dragon dances? This is why we have gathered the Best Chinese New Year Goodies in Malaysia that you'll and your family will enjoy!
For this year, chinese new year lies on 10th February 2024, Saturday!
Malaysian Chinese celebrates Chinese New Year for fifteen days with more focus on the first three days and the fifteenth day. This festive day is widely celebrated especially in places like JB, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, you can see more activities since these are the busiest weeks in these cities. You can visit Chinatown or Old Klang Road to watch the extravagant fireworks on New Year’s Eve too.
In order to level up the experience and celebration, plan ahead and make sure to get all the goodies you need! Not sure which treats to get for your family while playing card games? We have looked for the best Chinese New Year Goodies in Malaysia, and who knows? You may find your favorite thing here next to ang pows!
| 15 Must Have Chinese New Year Goodies in Malaysia | Best Price(RM) |
|---|---|
| Bak Kwa | RM23.88 |
| Love Letters or Kuih Kapit | RM15.50 |
| Almond London | RM22.50 |
| Arrowhead Chips | RM15.50 |
| Pineapple Rolls | RM22.80 |
| Mini Peanut Puffs | RM8.38 |
| Kuih Bangkit | RM9.90 |
| Nyonya Pineapple Tarts | RM13.96 |
| Beehive Cookies | RM4.00 |
| Fortune Cookies | RM25 |
| Seaweed Crisps | RM18 |
| Peanut Cookies | RM6.30 |
| Nian Gao | RM13.80 |
| Fried Crab Sticks | RM8.48 |
| White Almond Cookies | RM18.00 |
Top 15 Chinese New Year Goodies in Malaysia
1. Bak Kwa (BBQ Dried Meat) - Must Have CNY Snack in Every Home
Want something flavorful and something that screams festival when served at your table? Try getting this smoky flavored dried meat with hints of umami taste of caramelised sugar and soy sauce!
Bak Kwa is one of the favorites during Chinese New Year. It is thinly sliced barbecue pork jerky grilled over charcoal fire, leaving it moist and crispy. You can imagine the aroma of the barbecued meat in the air adding excitement for the festive occasion. Good news is you can choose from sliced or minced bak kwa depending on your preferred texture!
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2. Love Letters or Kuih Kapit
Craving something for your sweet tooth? You can start stocking up Love Letters even before the festival starts.Kuih Kapit, also known as Love Letter, are wafer-thin crepe biscuits, some with thick fillings in between. These are perfect light yet tasty snacks this Chinese New Year to munch on!
The crispy love letters are now available with different flavors of fillings like choco peanut, cappuccino, Nutella, matcha, or peanut butter. What even makes these snacks sweeter is it got its name from lovers who used to hide letters with these biscuits. And YES, you do not need a lover to get your own love letters!
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3. Almond London
Another sweet treat but with nuts? Check out these delicious delicacies with almond cookies and a lot of chocolate coating!
Almond London is another irresistible Chinese New Year cookie made of an almond nut coated with chocolate batter mixed with grounded almonds. Reward yourself and indulge in these Halal-certified sweets!
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4. Arrowhead Chips
In search for the perfect chips to enjoy while watching the firework shows or the lion dances? Be prepared and buy your NgaKu chips in advance!
Made from the bulbs of arrowhead plants and deep-fried in vegetable oil, these crisps are another favorite throughout the celebration. Although, it is possible to finish the whole jar in one sitting so we advise you buy enough to last the festivities! No need to worry about eating a lot too since this snack is healthy and halal!
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5. Pineapple Rolls - Sure Have CNY Goodies in Every Family
If you want something fruity to serve for your aunties and uncles to get that ang pow, it might be these!
Pineapple roll is another Chinese New Year favorite! This cookie has a sweet taste to it with a bit of tangy flavor of the pineapple jam that excites your taste buds. Bite into its crumbly crusts and enjoy the soft filling as much as you want.
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6. Mini Peanut Puffs
Looking for that sweet and crunchy traditional CNY snack that symbolizes abundant wealth? Of course, we have peanut puffs in this list!
Kok Chai, also called Mini Peanut Puffs look like small versions of curry puffs but taste sweet instead of savory. The pastry is deep fried until crispy and its fillings have sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, and sugar. This is the best Chinese New Year snack especially for the peanut lovers!
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7. Kuih Bangkit
Want to reminisce about your childhood memories as you welcome the new year? Add some Kuih Bangkit to your to-buy list.
A classic and timeless cookie that melts in your mouth, Kuih Bangkit is mostly made of tapioca flour, eggs, and coconut milk. This traditional Chinese new year cookie may be hard on the outside but it melts once it's on your tongue, the childhood memories of you finding these cookies in every household during Chinese New Year would surely be brought back.
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8. Nyonya Pineapple Tarts
Pineapple or ‘ong lai’ in Hokien means ‘good luck and fortune has come’, and we cannot stop you from wanting more pineapple this Chinese New Year.
There may be debates on pineapple tarts and pineapple rolls, the only thing we can say is these tarts are an upgraded version of the rolls. If you want something where you can distinctly taste more fillings and more pastry, you can get these fruit tarts!
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9. Beehive Cookies
Super thin, extra crispy, and fragrant cookies, does that excite you? We are just describing beehive cookies and they could be perfect while catching up with your relatives.
Kuih Loyang, Kuih Ros, Beehive or Honeycomb Cookies may have a lot of names but these crunchy cookies are a crowd favorite and could be easily identified. Its crispy, light, and creamy yet sweet taste from coconut milk is what seals the deal with the public.
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10. Fortune Cookies
Is it really Chinese New Year if you haven’t seen any fortune cookies? Sure, they are not that accurate but they add fun to the experience!
Fortune cookies are very popular even overseas. Its crisp texture, vanilla taste, and its vague prophecy inside entertains people and gets them full as well. Add some to your list, maybe your fortune would suggest you eat another cookie.
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11. Seaweed Crisps
Healthy, tasty, and crunchy? Seaweed crisps taste like guilty pleasures but you can actually snack on it without any guilt.
During the festivities, you would definitely see these crisps everywhere and if you have tried it, it is possible that you will be tempted to buy again. It is made with real seaweeds without any preservatives so you can feast on it this New Year, and we suggest trying one with the salted egg flavor.
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12. Peanut Cookies
Can’t get enough with peanuts? If peanut puffs do not work for you and you want more, peanut cookies are the answer!
Peanut or Fah Sung in Cantonese signifies long life which we all wish and thank for every year that has passed and to come. So if you prefer cookies that are filled with the flavor of roasted peanuts, get your peanut cookies before they ran out.
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13. Nian Gao (Sticky New Year Cake)
If you want something heavier to serve during the festivities, this sticky rice cake is the best one to get!
We cannot forget to suggest this traditional rice cake called Nian Gao directly translating to ’year cake’ or sometimes called Chinese New Year Cake. It is made of simple ingredients like almond, brown sugar, and rice flour but it tastes like vanilla sticky cakes.
The best way to enjoy this sticky rice cake is to slice it, batter with flour and pan fry with oil. Goes well with pan fried sweet potato slices as well.
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14. Fried Crab Sticks
If you are a fan of seafood and want to get something more tasty, you could also get fried crab sticks!
Now, this could be your guilty pleasure since fried crab sticks taste exquisite but they may not be the healthiest option. Just imagine its crunchy texture as you bite into it and the seafood taste exploding in your mouth. Chinese New Year is an annual celebration so you could give yourself a pass and also, we found you one without any MSG nor artificial flavors.
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15. White Almond Cookies
Looking for something crumbly and nutty? Check out these almond cookies!
White almond cookies are extra crumbly and filled with almond flakes, the perfect midday snack while hanging out with your nieces or nephews. Take a soft bite and enjoy as the flavor melts in your mouth.
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Popular CNY goodies & Snacks You Can Buy Online in Malaysia
Food has always been a huge part of culture and celebrations. It enhances the celebration and cheers up everyone’s mood when you serve them their favorite snacks. Although, we cannot pinpoint which one is the best Chinese New Year treat for you since it would depend on your preference, we can walk you through every goodies that you and your visitors would definitely enjoy! Have you decided which one to add in your to-buy list? Let us know your favorites!
