13 hours ago6 min read

Man Fu Yuan - Lunar New Year 2025

To usher in the Embering Abundance Year of the Snake, we went to sample a variety of curated dishes that were thoughtfully crafted by Executive Chinese Chef Aaron Tan (our fave Cantonese Chef in Singapore) and his team for Lunar New Year 2025.

We sampled a plethora of highlights that was evident of quality and finesse on the menu and this included the spectacular Blazing Snake Fortune Yu Sheng, Steamed Mandarin Perch Fillet, Flambé Eight Treasure Duck with Abalone, Steamed Rock Lobster with Glutinous Rice, Crabmeat, and Crab Roe, and Braised Whole Guan Dong Sea Cucumber Stuffed with Minced Pork and Prawn in a rich superior sauce.

Lauded by Singapore Tatler as one of Singapore's best Chinese restaurants and Michelin recommended, Man Fu Yuan is a stalwart in the Chinese fine dining scene in Singapore, serving culinary presentations that showcase an artful balance of spices and flavours, uplifted by modern interpretations and quality ingredients.

One can look forward to a refined dining experience underpinned by traditional culinary techniques with a touch of modernity, and elevate your experience with a handpicked selection of quality wines or premium tea pairings. Set within an elegant venue at InterContinental Singapore, a luxury five-star hotel which is the the flagship hotel of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®) in Singapore, Man Fu Yuan accommodates up to 172 guests, including a suite of private dining rooms.

From 15 December 2024 to 16 February 2025, the elegant dining destination in the heart of the city will celebrate the season with refined menus and a luxurious selection of Lunar New Year delights from Man Fu Yuan along with an abundant Lunar New Year buffet spread at LUCE, and a selection of the season-inspired à la carte, handcrafted cakes, and prosperous libation from The Lobby Lounge. Lunar New Year gourmet takeaway goodies are available for pre-order from 15 December 2024 to 12 February 2025 via intercontinentalshoppe.sg.

MAN FU YUAN’S 60-INCH BLAZING SNAKE FORTUNE YU SHENG

In keeping with Man Fu Yuan’s tradition of for the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake brings the magnificent 60-inch (circumference) Blazing Snake Fortune Yu Sheng 火焰盘龙鳗 - 蛇来运转鸿运到捞生 ($988++ serves up to 10 guests). At the heart of this opulent yu sheng lies a deeper symbolism: each of the eight snakes form part of the Chinese character “福” (fortune), embodying blessings for the new year.

These include 平安 (peace), 喜乐 (joy), 健康 (health), 繁荣 (prosperity), 和睦 (harmony), 财富 (wealth), 贵人 (support), and 吉祥 (good fortune). The lavish creation features grilled eel ‘snakes’ within the yu sheng - known in Mandarin as 蛇鳗, the eels signify fortune and renewal, while Executive Chinese Chef Aaron Tan's inclusion of flambéed unagi cleverly honours the zodiac through taste and artistry. With luxurious ingredients like abalone, rock lobster, ikura, Hokkaido crispy shredded dried scallop, salmon sashimi, and crispy fish skin, this visually stunning Yu Sheng, drizzled with golden Wafu, roasted sesame dressing, and fragrant shallot oil, embodies an auspicious start to the new year.

Aside from the grand ‘Blazing Snake’ Fortune Yu Sheng’, diners may also opt for Man Fu Yuan’s three other Yu Sheng selection - Auspicious Yu Sheng 喜事临门齐捞起 ($198++ serves up to 10 guests, $138++ serves up to 5 guests) packed with premium ingredients such as the grilled unagi, Hokkaido crispy shredded dried scallop, salmon sashimi, ikura, crispy fish skin, topped with golden wafu and roasted sesame dressing; or Abundance Yu Sheng 合家齐捞起 ($168++ serves up to 10 guests, $108++ serves up to 5 guests) with Hokkaido crispy shredded dried scallop, salmon sashimi, ikura, crispy fish skin topped with golden wafu and roasted sesame dressing. Vegetarians may delight in the Happiness Vegetarian Yu Sheng 七彩蔬果素鱼生 ($138++ serves up to 10 guests, $98++ serves up to 5 guests).

Our appetizer-wheting dish was the Braised 'Kao Fu'. Beancurd with Superior Soy Sauce From Ala Carte Menu, this was nicely prepared and just simply tasted brilliant! Next came along our yummy Yu-Sheng tossing dish delight, which we collaborated as a whole team to toss to the delights of the Lunar Snake Year with the Flambé Unagi, Abalone, Rock Lobster, Ikura, Hokkaido Crispy Shredded Dried Scallop, Salmon Sashimi, Crispy Fish Skin, Auspicious Condiments, Golden Wafu and Roasted Sesame Dressing and Fragrant Shallot Oil...naturally we have to order two days in advance, to taste this amazing dish, and it;s available for dine-in only... superb!

The first dish brought us moments of delight as we tasted the Braised Spinach Seafood Bisque with Fish Maw, Egg White, Crab Meat and Scallops from the Ala Carte Menu and based on the Chef's Recommendations！We love soups and the greenish hues threw us into full amazement how this was brewed and presented! A rating of 9/10 given for this lovely concoction, and it was thick and robust, the way we love it!

Next came along the Salt-Baked Chicken in Dong Jiang Style; from the Ala Carte Menu and based on the Chef's Recommendations！It was packed with umami, the right flavour twist and presented ounces of bite that was superbly prepared. The third dish was the Braised South African 6-head Abalone (reminiscent and slightly similar to last year's beautiful dish rendition), Iberico Pork Collar, Flower Mushroom taken from the Harmony Prix-Fixe Set Menu; the taste was just immaculate and consistent of the standard presented whole-heartedly by Chef Aaron and his chefs.

Braised Whole Guan Dong Sea Cucumber Stuffed with Minced Pork and Prawn, Superior Sauce From Ala Carte Menu and based on the Chef's Recommendations, brought a smile to our faces, as I remember my mom preparing a similar dish when I was growing up; given that a lot of fuss is given in the preparation and cleaning of the sea cucumber, could well appreciate the hours spent on generating such a wonderful dish, well mélangé, and stuffed with good quality ingredients, for our comfort and taste.

Along came the Steamed Greenland Halibut with preserved Citrus Golden Chilli Sauce and Scallion from the Prosperity Prix-Fixe Set Menu - this was amazingly soft and tender to the bite, simply brilliant, I was thinking it could be a cod or some other fish, but the Halibut just tasted wondrous. The Braised Duo La Mian with Alaska King Crab, Rock Lobster and Crab Roe is a Chef's Special, and everyone loved it on the ingenious use of ingredients and cooking methodology. This is the first time that I tried Braised Rock Lobster with Golden Crispy Rice, and the combination of the flavors and sweetness of this fresh Lobster Bisque, Garlic and Ginger delivered a multitude of "oohs" amongst all of us, just exquisite from the Reunion and Harvest Prix-Fixe Set Menu.

For the dessert accompaniement and before diving into the rich array of Lunar New Year goodies and sweets, we just had to have the Chilled Osmanthus flower tea with red date, snow lotus seed, dried longan, lily bulb, golden bird's nest from the Harmony Prix-Fixe Set Menu - the result is a powerful and calm concoction of wonders, and I just simple adore this form of Cantonese kitchen dessert with superior ingredients and not super sweet, to end off an awesome set dinner.

Lunar New Year Goodies

Adding a touch of sweet goodness and festivity, Man Fu Yuan brings back by popular demand, the Prosperity Pineapple Balls 满福旺梨酥球 ($39.80nett) – a melt-in-your-mouth buttery and delicate pastry enveloping a rich tangy pineapple paste. This is amidst a menu of pastries including the Cantonese Salted Egg Almond Cookies 香爽咸蛋杏仁酥 ($45.80nett), Peanut Cookies 富贵花生酥 and Mini Spicy Shrimp Spring Roll 脆口虾米辣小春卷 ($36.80nett).

For gifting, indulge business partners and loved ones with a thoughtful package to bring out the extravagance of the season. Priced at $388.80nett, present the gift of splendour, Man Fu Yuan’s Executive Prosperity Hamper 福星高照满福苑礼盒 with a wealth of premium goodies and the season’s favourites including a tin each of the Prosperity Pineapple Balls and Mini Spicy Shrimp Spring Roll, premium goodies such as the six-head abalone, tiger palm fungus, Iberico bakkwa, Hong Kong duo pork sausages, and a tin of Man Fu Yuan five- element tea. Ideal for the tea lovers, the Man Fu Yuan Tea Gift Box 满福苑双喜茶叶礼盒 ($108.80nett) is a thoughtful gift for the season.

Other popular gifting options for the season include dried goods such as Premium Indonesia Cave Bird's Nest 印尼沿海山洞燕窝盏 ($228.80nett), Premium Hokkaido Dried Scallop 日本北海道原粒干贝皇 ($49.80nett), Premium Flower Mushroom 极品白花菇 ($28.80nett) and more are also available at Man Fu Yuan.

Lunar New Year goodies are available for purchase from 15 December 2024 to 10 February 2025, and can be collected from 6 January to 12 February 2025 at Man Fu Yuan Shoppe, located at the level 2, Man Fu Yuan restaurant of InterContinental Singapore. Pre-order of three days in advance is required. For enquiries or to place an order, please email sinhb-festive@ihg.com, or visit InterContinentalShoppe.sg.