In Chinese culture, eating abalone during the new year is believed to help solidify prosperity, good health and good fortune in the coming year. They bring a touch of tradition and luxury to steamboats and are must-haves at CNY reunion dinners. Opting for canned abalone can be a practical and budget-friendly choice to prepare this delicacy, especially if you’re uncertain about cooking it yourself. To simplify your search, we’ve curated a review of the best canned abalone in Singapore for you to explore:
Editor’s Choice: The best abalone brands in Singapore
| Best braised abalone: Lee Kum Kee Abalone in Premium Oyster Sauce | Best brined abalone: New Moon South Africa Abalone | Best vegetarian abalone: MILI Mock Abalone | |
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| Weight | 425g x2 | 400g x2 | 280g |
| Price | $78.60 | $56.81 | $2.45 |
| Our thoughts | Braised in the tastiest oyster sauce that goes well when cooked with other ingredients. Can also be eaten on its own – delightful! | The staple brand for most when it comes to abalones, simple and you can never go wrong with New Moon. | Fried and also less sodium, I enjoyed this vegetarian option that helps keep my diet in check. |
Best abalone brands in Singapore for CNY 2025
1. New Moon
Price: From $56.81
Having been around since 1959, New Moon is one of the best canned abalone brands in Singapore that emphasises quality. New Moon Abalones originate from different countries, so you’ll be spoilt for choice! For sweet and chewy abalone, the New Moon Australia Abalone would be ideal.
Meanwhile, the wild-caught New Moon New Zealand Abalone is more flavourful as it originates from a more pristine habitat. The New Zealand variety is also a Halal-certified abalone and comes in a simple brine of salt water to enhance the ocean flavour of abalone. If you have a more exotic palate, then the New Moon South Africa Abalone would be a better fit given its stronger briney flavour.
- Preparation style: Brined/Braised
- Origin: Australia/New Zealand/South Africa
- Net weight: 425g
- Distinct feature/s: Halal-certified, Wild-caught abalone
2. Flying Wheel
Price: $15.39
Although new to the market, Flying Wheel is already known as one of the best abalone brands in Singapore. Case in point: the Flying Wheel Abalone with Black Truffles. Flying Wheel has become a famous abalone brand as they can their abalones right after harvest for the freshest taste. Each can of Flying Wheel abalone contains 10 pieces of full-grown Japanese abalones which symbolise ten-fold fortune to usher in the new year.
For a more savoury option, you can try the Flying Wheel Braised Abalone which has been double-boiled in a braised broth.
- Preparation style: Braised
- Origin: China
- Net weight: 170g
- Distinct feature/s: Gift-ready bundles
3. Kinohimitsu
Price: $31.95
Kinohimitsu may be known for having the best collagen drinks, but they also offer some of the best abalones for CNY! We love the Kinohimitsu Braised Abalones for its super deep and rich taste. That’s when we realised the braised sauce is actually a special recipe that stems from stewing old hens for 72 hours. The flavour will definitely buy everyone over, especially your in-laws. These abalones come packaged in a gift box that’s not simple – red and not over-the-top – making them a perfect gift for any of your elders!
- Preparation style: Braised
- Origin: Japan
- Net weight: 425g
- Distinct feature/s: Broth is made from old hens stewed for 72 hours for intensified meaty flavour
4. Good Lady
Price: $4.50 – $5.10
Pamper your taste buds with the Yoshihama abalone! Known as one of the best abalones in Singapore, you can expect only the highest quality shellfish that tastes as though you plucked it directly from the sea. Good Lady’s Yoshihama Abalones come in four flavours, each containing a generous serving of six abalones per can.
Apart from the standard brine and braised abalones, there’s also a scallop broth abalone that has a natural sweetness and seafood aroma. If you’re more adventurous, then try their black truffle abalone which packs a punch with its unique oaky and nutty smell. Their Ah Mah Favourite Brine, on the other hand, has that classic ocean flavour that’s perfect for cooking abalone porridge.
- Preparation style: Braised/In Broth
- Origin: Japan/China
- Net weight: 180g
- Distinct feature/s: Variety of flavours, Naturally-sweet and tender abalone
5. Fortune
Price: $56
It is a centuries-old belief that eating 鮑魚 will bring good fortune for the rest of the year. So if you’re hoping for a boost of huat, the Joyous Treasures Fortune Mini Abalones are a must-buy! This bundle includes braised abalones that are renowned for their succulent flesh and firm texture. There are also bite-sized ones in this Fortune abalone package — perfect for that annual lo hei!
- Preparation style: Brined
- Origin: Australia
- Net weight: 425g
6. Gin Thye
Price: $18 per can
More than just kueh bangkits and pineapple tarts, Gin Thye has you covered for all the CNY goodies you’ll need. They also offer some amazing canned abalones in both braised and brined options. With their devotion to innovation and constant quest for better quality, we were not surprised when these abalones were the taste of perfection. The braised abalones were well-seasoned – I ended up eating them straight out of the can (we listen and we do not judge). The brined ones were just as heavenly; the perfect amount of saltiness just stole the spotlight during my early yusheng at my Christmas dinners (yes, once again, we listen and we do not judge).
- Preparation style: Brined/Braised
- Net weight: 425g
7. Calmex
Price: $75.80 – $224.00
Calmex abalones are known for two things: price and quality. Although pricey, many seafood lovers prefer stocking up on Calmex abalones in CNY due to their unparalleled taste and quality. Calmex Mexico Wild Abalones features a unique texture with a tender mouthfeel with a bit of a bite. You’ll be reaching for another can faster than you can say ‘Huat’.
- Preparation style: Brined
- Origin: Mexico
- Net weight: 454g
- Distinct feature/s: Tender texture with a bounce, Strong briney flavour
8. Skylight
Price: $129
If you’re one of those filial daughters or sons, you’d know the hustle. Wrecking your brains over what to gift your parents and in-laws is a toughie. And usual canned abalones seem inadequate, but those thoughts pale in comparison to the Skylight Abalone Jumbo Gift Set. With 3 cans of abalones, your family’s all set for the CNY feasts. There’s almost 1.6kg worth of pure abalone freshness that feeds up to 10 people – perfect for those large family gatherings. But let’s address the elephant in the room, or more like, the gold. Encased in a gold bar, your parents will no doubt be taken by this gift!
- Preparation style: Brined/Braised
- Origin: Australia
- Net weight: 1595g
- Distinct feature/s: Award-winning abalone, Large sets for gatherings
9. Lee Kum Kee
Price: $78.60 for 2 cans
It’s all about the sauce when it comes to braised abalones. So you can’t go wrong with trusting Lee Kum Kee, one of the best sauce brands in Singapore, for their canned braised abalones. We’re not kidding with this, Lee Kum Kee is well-loved by Singaporeans, young and old. And we can’t deny that their abalones, braised in oyster sauce, is an absolute delight.
I recently stir-fried some vegetables for dinner, as usual, but this time, I used the Lee Kum Kee Abalone in Premium Oyster Sauce. I typically use oyster sauce on its own, but with this, the meal was atas. My husband even wondered what the occasion was! He even remarked that the vegetables were a lot more flavourful, the oysters added a subtle seafood-y taste that was simply chef’s kiss!
- Preparation style: Braised
- Net weight: 425g
- Distinct feature/s: Braised in Lee Kum Kee’s iconic oyster sauce
10. Mili
Price: $2.45
For those opting to go veg for CNY, you don’t need to miss out on the abalone tradition! We’ve got MILI Mock Abalone – made with wheat gluten and plant-based ingredients that are vegetarian-approved. You can still enjoy the umami taste of abalone in your vermicelli noodles, stir-fried vegetables, and even in braised dishes during CNY celebrations!
- Preparation style: Fried
- Origin: Taiwan
- Net weight: 280g
- Distinct feature/s: Vegetarian, Plant-based abalone
Are canned abalones good for you?
While fresh abalone provides a refreshing and succulent flavour to any dish, canned abalones can be just as tasty. Canned abalone is an affordable, convenient and accessible way to make your CNY celebration more special. Here are a couple of reasons to opt for canned abalone this new year:
- Time-saving: Canned abalones are ready to eat once opened because they contain salt or are already braised in a sauce. This means that you don’t have to wash them and can save time on preparation. Just slice them up, cook them and serve!
- Affordable: Canned abalones are generally more affordable than wild-caught abalones (which are considered rare and hard to get). Illegal poaching and sustainability concerns have also caused the prices of wild-caught abalones to soar.
- Convenient: Canned abalones have a longer shelf life lasting up to a year. Meanwhile, fresh abalones are highly perishable and should be consumed on the same day it is bought. You can purchase canned abalone in advance and plan out your dinner beforehand.
In general, abalone is highly nutritious as a natural source of protein. It also has a combination of essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium and iron that improve bone density and immunity. Abalones are also low in fat and almost no cholesterol is present — great for those keeping track of their calorie count!
How to choose the best abalone in Singapore?
With so many types and brands of canned abalones, it can be a challenge to select the perfect one for your CNY reunion dinner or if you want to impress your guests by serving the best pen cai. Hence, we’ve come up with some things for you to consider to ensure you’re buying the best abalones in Singapore for your needs!
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Is further cooking required?
If you intend to stir fry the abalone or eat it in soups like steamboats at reunion dinner, then getting canned abalone with brine (salt and water) is a good choice as it is light in flavour and won’t overpower the main broth. But if you want to eat your abalone straight away, then you should consider a canned abalone with sauce as it is seasoned and just needs a bit of heating up before serving.
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How many people are eating?
The number of people attending your reunion dinner would also affect the abalone grade you should get. In canned abalones, the quantity generally ranges anywhere from 1 whole piece to 14 pieces or more in a can. Depending on the brand, you can end up with varying sizes in a can.
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Drained weight or net weight?
When it comes to choosing the best canned abalones in Singapore, check for the drained weight of each brand. This will show you the actual weight of the abalone without the sauce or brine that it comes with. For instance, cans with a net weight of 425g may have a varied drained weight between 50g to 220g.
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Which country has the best canned abalones?
Some countries are highly regarded for producing the best abalones. However, it is good to note that the abalone species produced in each country are different in terms of taste and appearance.
| Country of origin | Taste of abalones | Appearance of abalones |
| Japan | Light flavour, smooth texture | Golden yellow |
| Australia | Sweet flavour, chewy texture | Light brown |
| New Zealand | Rich flavour, firm texture | Coloured shells |
| South Africa | Strong sea flavour, succulent texture | Dark brown |
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What is the abalone size?
It is also important to check the abalone size. This is measured in terms of the number of heads — where a one-head abalone is approximately equivalent to 600g. To put it simply, the fewer the number of heads, the larger the piece of abalone. For example, a two-head abalone (300g) is larger than a four-head abalone (150g) but canned abalones generally measure about one-half-head (450g). However, this varies across brands. Do make sure to double-check the labels as larger abalones are usually more pricey.
Feast on the best abalones in Singapore this CNY 2025
Now that you know which are the best abalone in Singapore, remember to get them ahead of your reunion dinner during our Shopee CNY Sale so you don’t have to rush the prep at the last minute. Alternatively, you can follow these canned abalone recipes or pen cai recipes that will impress your family and friends. All that’s left is to equip yourself with the best steamboat pots and learn some tips on how to organise a hotpot gathering!
This article was updated on 31 December 2024. Additional research done by Caryn Tan.
