(Credit: Anthony Leow / Flickr)
Pen cai (or poon chai) is a traditional Chinese hot pot dish perfect for celebrations like Chinese New Year or family feasts. It’s a hearty, communal stew made by layering various ingredients like pork, duck, shrimp, abalone, and vegetables into one big pot and simmering them together. This dish isn’t just about flavour; it also represents abundance, prosperity, and unity.
Now that you know a bit more about this dish, I’m excited to share a list of places to order the best pen cai in Singapore — because who doesn’t love a comforting, hearty feast to share with family and friends?
Premium pen cai with lobster meat.
Serves 5 – 8 pax
If you want to add festive flair to your CNY celebrations, the Holiday Inn Prosperity Pen Cai is a dish you will want to try. While the portion may look modest, don’t be fooled — it’s filled to the brim with top-quality ingredients (think lobsters, baby abalone and fresh scallops!), ensuring everyone gets a fortune of flavours. Plus, it’s so generous that even after a big family feast, you might find yourself with some leftovers, giving you a second round of good luck for the next day!
CNY pen cai collection details:
Trusted reputation for fresh ingredients.
Serves 6 pax
Known for its exceptional seafood, Tung Lok has built a trusted reputation for serving up fresh, high-quality ingredients, so you know you’re in good hands here. Their Golden Pen Cai is a perfect medley of flavours – hearty, comforting, and satisfying. Plus, they’re offering FREE 24 pieces of vegetarian dumplings with your order. Who doesn’t love freebies, especially when they’re as tasty as these? It’s a win-win: delicious pen cai and a little extra treat to round out your meal!
CNY pen cai delivery details:
Hearty and healthy pen cai.
Serves 6 – 8 pax
When I hear Eu Yan Sang, I immediately think of health and wellness — they’re known for their wide range of traditional Chinese supplements and herbal remedies. So, when they promise their Royal Imperial Abalone Treasure Pot offers a healthier twist on the classic pen cai, you can trust it. This version is made with no preservatives, no artificial colouring, and is certified halal, making it a versatile and thoughtful choice for any gathering. The best part? When you order this delicious hot pot dish, you’ll also get a 2L Electric Pot!
CNY pen cai delivery details:
Related: 15 Best Steamboat Pots For Your CNY Gatherings
Best pen cai for meat lovers.
Serves 6 – 10 pax
Just looking at the picture is enough to make my mouth water, and after reading all the glowing reviews, I can confirm — that the Yi Jia South Village Prosperity Claypot Pen Cai lives up to the hype. Many people rave about its “authentic old-school taste,” but the roasted meats are the real highlight for meat lovers. The roasted chicken, duck, and pork each bring their irresistible appeal — tender and juicy chicken with crispy skin, smoky and flavourful duck, and perfectly crackling pork full of savoury goodness.
CNY pen cai collection details:
Best vegetarian pen cai in Singapore.
Serves 5 – 10 pax
Chinese New Year is also the time for reuniting with distant relatives, and it’s important to be mindful of everyone’s dietary needs. Tam Kah Seafood offers a thoughtful and delicious option with their Vegetarian Pen Cai, designed for those who prefer plant-based dishes. This generous serving includes vegetarian abalones, known for their delicate texture and umami flavour, as well as Japan-style vegetarian sea cucumber, which offers a smooth, savoury appeal. Taiwan vegetarian ham is also added, bringing a rich, satisfying taste that ties everything together.
CNY pen cai collection details:
One-stop shop for all your CNY dishes.
Serves 5 – 7 pax
If you’re looking for a reliable place to find premium seafood and other CNY dishes, Esmarties Mall is the perfect one-stop shop to meet all your needs. For a cosy family meal of 5 people, I highly recommend trying the Prosperity Seafood Treasure Pot. One user shared how they added tiger prawns, fish lucky bag, and superior dry oysters, and absolutely loved the taste. They even mentioned that adding a bit of water still kept the flavour strong!
CNY pen cai delivery details:
We hope your stomachs are ready to indulge in the best pen cai in Singapore this CNY 2025! If you’re in the mood to dine in, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best Chinese restaurants that are open during Chinese New Year! And why not get all glammed up with these best modern cheongsams? But most of all, remember to stock up on CNY goodies to keep your visitors filled. We highly recommend these best love letters and best pineapple tarts to get the ball rolling.
This article was updated on 18 December 2024. Additional research done by Shermyn Tan.
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