Food picks: Suckling pig for new year

Besides yusheng and pencai, the suckling pig stuffed with glutinous rice seems to be growing in popularity at the Chinese New Year reunion table.

I first tried the dish in 2011 at Kimberley Chinese Restaurant in Hong Kong, where the dish is available year round.

Man Fu Yuan at the InterContinental Singapore introduced it here three years ago for its Chinese New Year menu.

And this year, Si Chuan Dou Hua and Golden Peony have it on their Chinese New Year menus too.

My favourite is the one at Man Fu Yuan, which just gets better each year.

The skin is so crispy and light that it seems to crackle into nothingness in the mouth.

The rice, well oiled by the fat from the pig, is soft and delicious. Even better, it is now available all year round and cheaper outside the Chinese New Year period.

A whole pig costs $388, but during the Chinese New Year period, from Jan 15 to March 5, the price goes up to $488. Give the restaurant at least three days' advance notice, though.

Where: Man Fu Yuan, Level 2, InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road

MRT: Bugis Price: $488 (Chinese New Year), $388 (other times)

When: 11.45am - 3.30pm, 6.30 - 10.30pm daily

Tel: 6825-1008

This article was first published on  January 23, 2015.
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