A Springtime Feast of Togetherness
Singapore, November 2024 — Nestled within the elegant setting of Orchid Hotel, Ya Ge is set to debut its highly anticipated Chinese New Year 2025 Festive Menu, an exquisite fusion of tradition and modern culinary flair in celebration of the Year of the Snake. Among the star dishes are the Smoked Herb-Infused Irish ‘Pipa’ Duck, the luxurious Double-boiled Superior Soup with Whole Chicken and Shark’s Fin in Pig’s Maw, and the indulgent Stir-fried Australian Lobster with White Asparagus and Truffle Oil.
This season, Ya Ge presents nine festive dine-in menus, from S$98.00++ per person to S$2488.00++ for groups of 10, tailored for celebrations of every scale. For those celebrating at home, Ya Ge’s takeaway menu offers a selection of festive treats, including the limited-edition Four Happiness Treasures featuring traditional nian gao and a refreshing Kochi Yuzu Pudding.
A Yu Sheng of Transformation and Good Fortune
At the heart of Ya Ge’s menu is the Crispy Golden Eel and Yellowtail Yu Sheng, meticulously crafted in the shape of a snake to usher in the Year of the Snake. A luxurious twist on the traditional festive dish, the vibrant assortment includes savoury yellowtail, crispy eel skin and finely shredded vegetables such as carrots, radish and zesty pickled ginger with a special house-made passionfruit kumquat dressing. Topped with koi fish-shaped mango puddings, it brings together two powerful symbols of transformation and prosperity. Together, these motifs reflect the harmonious balance of Yin and Yang — growth and renewal, wisdom and prosperity — inviting guests to embrace change, progress, and success in the year ahead.
Thin sheets of edible gold leaves embrace the snake’s head, symbolising a strong and auspicious start to the Year of the Snake. This touch of opulence complements the harmonious blend of flavours and textures designed to bring prosperity and good fortune throughout the year.
Exquisite Multi-Course Set Menus
For a truly immersive celebration, Ya Ge presents nine thoughtfully curated set menus, ranging from six to eight courses, including vegetarian-friendly options. Perfect for family feasts, team lunches, or business gatherings, each set menu is a meticulously crafted tribute to flavour and togetherness:
Celebration Set Menu (6-Course) - $98.00++ per person (min. 2 persons)
Abundance Set Menu (6-Course) - $138.00++ per person (min. 2 persons)
Prosperity Set Menu (8-Course) - $788.00++ (for 6 persons)
Opulent Set Menu (8-Course) - $1188.00++ (for 10 persons)
Fortune Set Menu (6-Course) - $1488.00++ (for 10 persons)
Blissful Set Menu (8-Course) - $1488.00++ (for 10 persons)
Treasures Set Menu (8-Course) - $1988.00++ (for 10 persons)
Success Set Menu (8-Course) - $2488.00++ (for 10 persons)
Healthy Vegetarian Set Menu - $88.00++ per person
For a lavish dining experience, the Success Set Menu—Ya Ge’s most premium offering—is crafted for 10 diners at $2488.00++ and features an exquisite selection of festive dishes. Highlights include Braised Australian 3-Head Abalone with Homemade Almond Black Bean Curd and White Shiitake Mushroom, showcasing a delicate interplay of textures, and the Double-Boiled Whole Chicken with Shark’s Fin or Bird's Nest, elevating the feast with an elegant touch.
Additional options, such as the Fortune, Blissful, and Treasures Set Menus, are also available for tables of 10, offering indulgent selections perfect for an unforgettable celebration.
Gastronomic Highlights
Ya Ge’s talented culinary team introduces several innovative dishes for CNY 2025, spotlighting creativity and traditional flavours:
Double-boiled Superior Soup with Whole Chicken and Shark’s Fin stuffed in Pig’s Maw: This signature dish features Pig Maw expertly stuffed with deboned French ‘An Xin’ chicken and premium shark’s fin, then simmered to perfection in a rich, aromatic broth infused with the essence of old hen, chicken feet, chicken bones, lean meat, and a touch of white pepper. The result is an indulgent, deeply flavourful dish that balances the tenderness of the chicken meat and shark’s fin, and a savoury, comforting broth.
Smoked Herb-Infused Irish ‘Pipa’ Duck: This whole duck is dry-aged for 168 hours and marinated for 24 hours in a harmonious blend of Western and Chinese spices, including sage, rosemary, oregano, star anise, and more. Roasted and smoked to perfection, it offers a sensory delight with tender, flavourful meat encased in a layer of crispy golden-brown skin. The depth of seasoning elevates this dish into a truly refined culinary experience.
Stir-fried Australian Lobster with White Asparagus, Hokkaido Milk, Truffle Oil, and Pine Nuts: Succulent Australian lobster is sautéed and combined with white asparagus in a creamy Hokkaido milk and egg white sauce, enriched with truffle oil. Roasted pine nuts and a garnish of caviar add texture and luxurious umami, creating a decadently smooth and savoury dish.
Braised 5-head Abalone and Pork Trotter with White Shiitake Mushroom: The pork trotter is slow-braised to perfection over 4 hours in a rich, aromatic sauce infused with an intricate blend of herbs and spices, including cinnamon, star anise, clove, black cardamom, and coriander seed. Enhanced with crystal sugar, this meticulous process yields a deep, velvety hue and an irresistibly tender, flavourful finish.
(Left) Pan-fried Cod Fish Fillet with Kochi Yuzu: The cod fillet is first marinated in yuzu zest and expertly pan-fried to perfection. The dish is then finished with a delicate sprinkle of house-made Kochi yuzu salt, enhancing the fish’s natural flavours with a refreshing, citrusy touch.
(Right) Crispy Soft-Shell Crab with Duo Vermicelli and Crab Roe: A reimagined favourite, this dish features a whole deep-fried soft-shell crab, crispy on the outside and tender within, paired with braised rice vermicelli and glass noodles for a balance of textures. Premium crab roe enhances the umami richness, creating a perfect harmony of flavours.
Festive Takeaway Treats and Goodies
Left:Ya Ge Exquisite Takeaway set (clockwise): Braised Pork Trotter with White Shiitake Mushroom and Broccoli, Claypot Chicken Rice with Chinese Sausage and Grilled Eel, Roasted Dry-Aged Crispy Irish Duck (Whole), Steamed Radish Cake with Conpoy and Chinese Sausage
Right (clockwise): Ingot Nian Gao with Dried Longan, Steamed Radish Cake with Conpoy and Chinese Sausage, Limited Edition Four Happiness Treasures, Cheese Nian Gao Ingot Pastry, Steamed Yam Cake with Kam Hua Ham and Sakura Prawn
Perfect for home celebrations, Ya Ge presents an array of CNY takeaway sets crafted for groups of 4-10, including the Ya Ge Exquisite Takeaway Set and Ya Ge Reunion Takeaway Set (both serving 4-6), as well as the Ya Ge Abundance Takeaway Set (serving 8-10). Featured dishes include the richly Braised Pork Trotter with Shiitake Mushroom and Broccoli, Prosperity Pen Cai, and a flavourful Claypot Chicken Rice with Chinese sausage and Grilled Eel. A la carte options are also available, such as the Roasted Boneless Suckling Pig with Chef’s Special Sauce and the Duo Platter featuring Crispy Roasted Pork Cubes and Roasted Barbequed Iberico Pork, ideal for adding festive flair to any gathering.
For a delightful assortment of festive bites, Ya Ge also presents a range of exquisite pastries and savoury treats, perfect for both hosting gatherings and gifting. New this year, the Cheese Nian Gao Ingot Pastry offers a unique twist on the traditional treat. This soft, chewy rice cake is filled with a creamy, savoury cheese centre and shaped into golden ingots, symbolising wealth and prosperity. The tangy cheese perfectly complements the nian gao’s subtle sweetness.
This year, Ya Ge’s limited-edition Four Happiness Treasures offers a complete tasting experience with traditional favourites, including the iconic nian gao, savoury radish and yam cakes, and a chilled Kochi Yuzu Pudding. Infused with aromatic yuzu, the refreshing pudding delivers a light, zesty finish that perfectly captures the festive spirit of the New Year.
Reservations and Availability
Ya Ge’s CNY 2025 menu will be available for dine-in from 13 January to 12 February 2025, with reservations highly recommended due to limited seating and high demand. The takeaway sets and goodies can be made online 3 days in advance at https://eshop-yage.myshopify.com, or at the restaurant. Guests can enjoy a 15% discount on pre-orders made between 1 and 31 January.
For more information on all Chinese New Year menus and takeaway festive goodies, please log on to www.orchidhotel.com.sg/offers/yage-2025-chinese-new-year
Join us at Ya Ge to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a festive feast of togetherness and prosperity!