As we welcome 2025, the excitement of the Chinese New Year begins to fill homes across Malaysia. Families come together to prepare an irresistible assortment of festive snacks, a cherished tradition symbolising abundance, happiness, and unity. These delectable treats, whether crispy, chewy, sweet, or savoury, add vibrant flavours to the celebrations, bringing people closer as they gather to enjoy the season. Beyond their delightful taste, these snacks hold cultural significance, reflecting the rich heritage and timeless customs passed down through generations.
As we bid farewell to the past year, these top 10 all-time favourite Chinese New Year goodies capture the season’s essence and set the tone for an auspicious 2025. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these snacks celebrate the spirit of the New Year, offering a tapestry of flavours that welcome guests and mark the arrival of prosperity and joy. From traditional classics to modern favourites, these treats embody the festive cheer and promise of brighter days ahead. Here are the top 10 Chinese New Year snacks in Malaysia!
1. What Are the Popular Snacks for Chinese New Year?
In Malaysia, three of the most popular Chinese New Year snacks that steal the spotlight are:
1. Pineapple Tarts (Tart Nenas)
These little golden gems are a universal favourite. The buttery pastry and the sweet and tangy pineapple filling make them a must-have on every Lunar New Year snack table.
2. Bak Kwa
The undisputed champion of savoury treats during Chinese New Year. Bak Kwa, with its savoury-sweet grilled meat goodness, is not only addictive but also holds a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of celebrants.
3. Love Letters (Kuih Kapit)
These delicate, crispy rolled-up wafers are a delightful treat. Their light texture and subtly sweet flavour make them an irresistible snack that disappears faster than you can say “Gong Xi Fa Cai.”
So, if you’re aiming for the snack jackpot during the Chinese New Year in Malaysia, be sure to have these three crowd-pleasers on your menu!
2. What Are the Iconic Chinese New Year Kuih in Different States Across Malaysia?
Chinese New Year in Malaysia is a celebration of diverse traditional kuih enjoyed across various states. Penang is famed for its crispy Kuih Kapit (Love Letters), while Melaka is celebrated for its buttery pineapple tarts. Johor often highlights Kuih Bangkit, a melt-in-the-mouth coconut cookie. Exploring this iconic snacks from different regions adds a delicious and meaningful touch to the festive season.
10 Best Chinese New Year Snacks in Malaysia 2025
1. Nor Anie Arrow Root Chips
These seasonal chips are a must-have treat during the Chinese New Year festivities. With their irresistible crunch and authentic flavor, they’re a traditional snack that’s perfect for celebrating the occasion. Best of all, they’re available only once a year, making them a highly anticipated delicacy every time the season rolls around!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Arrowhead (slices), Cooking Peanut Oil
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 210gm
Pros:
✅Thin & crispy
✅Fatty taste
✅Very tasty
Price: RM19.00 (210gm)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
2. Bite A Snack Mini Springs Rolls
Savor the delicious crunch of our homemade crispy shrimp rolls and chicken floss, both infused with rich, flavorful seasonings. The shrimp rolls are delicately fried to a golden perfection and filled with savory dried shrimp sambal, while the chicken floss adds a unique savory twist with its light and fluffy texture. Both snacks are irresistibly flavorful, with each bite delivering a satisfying crunch and burst of umami that makes them impossible to put down!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Dried Shrimps, Spring Roll Skin, Egg, Cooking Oil. 虾米, 春卷皮, 鸡蛋, 食用油。
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 350g
Pros:
✅Handmade Secret Recipe 祖传秘方手工制作
✅Perfect Golden Brown 完美金黄色
✅Rich Shrimp Sambal Flavor 浓郁虾米三八味
Price: RM23.99(350g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
3. APIT-APIT Love Letter
Love Letter, also known as Kuih Kapit, is a beloved Chinese New Year treat characterized by its thin, crispy, and rolled-up appearance. These wafer-like confections are a delightful blend of sweetness and fragrance, made from a batter of coconut milk, eggs, and sugar. Their unique shape and delicate texture make them a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, salt & coconut milk
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 500g
Pros:
✅100% Handmade
✅Seasonal
✅Traditional
Price: RM28.99(500g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
4. Bite A Snack Kuih Bangkit
Indulge in the delightful taste of Coffee Tapioca Cookies, also known as Biskut Kuih Bangkit. These traditional handmade cookies are crafted from a recipe passed down through generations, offering a unique, fragrant coffee flavor paired with the light, fluffy texture of tapioca. The moment you bite into these cookies, they will melt in your mouth, giving you a perfectly balanced taste that’s never too overwhelming. Choose from a variety of mouthwatering flavors, including Coffee 咖啡味, Original 原味, Pandan 斑斓味, Green Bean 绿豆味, and Rice 炒米味 each flavor offering its own distinct, delightful twist that will have you coming back for more!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Corn Flour, Tapioca Starch, Sugar, Coconut Milk, Eggs, Coffee, and Glucose. 玉米粉, 木薯淀粉, 糖, 椰奶, 咖啡, 鸡蛋, 葡萄糖。玉米粉, 木薯淀粉, 糖, 椰奶, 咖啡, 鸡蛋, 葡萄糖。
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 200g
Pros:
✅Handmade 纯手工制作
✅Generations-Old Recipe 祖传秘方
✅Fluffy and Melt-in-the-Mouth 口感蓬松，入口即化
Price: RM8.90(200g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
5. Fat Sunday Pineapple Tarts
Indulge in the rich, buttery goodness of our Fat Sunday Pineapple Tart, a true indulgence for your taste buds. These tarts feature a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth buttery pastry shell filled with a generous helping of tangy-sweet homemade pineapple jam. The perfect balance of sweet and savory, each bite offers a satisfying crunch followed by a burst of rich pineapple flavor. Ideal for Chinese New Year or any special occasion, these tarts are a delicious treat you won’t want to miss!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Pineapple, Butter, Eggs, Flour, Sugar
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 280g,560g
Pros:
✅Smooth
✅Tangy centers smothered in rich
✅Buttery pastry
Price: RM22.00 (280g), RM39.00 ( 560g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
6. Ros MIzan Rose Cookies
Rose Cookies are exquisitely crafted, delicate treats that bring an elegant touch to your Chinese New Year celebration. Made from a batter of coconut milk, rice flour, and a hint of turmeric for a beautiful golden color, these cookies are deep-fried to perfection. The result is a visually stunning snack with a light, crisp texture and a subtle coconut flavor that melts in your mouth. Perfect for adding a refined, flavorful treat to your festive spread.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Rice flour, wheat flour, sweet potato flour, vegetable oil, eggs, sugar, sesame seeds.
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 200g, 400g
Pros:
✅Suitable for an afternoon snack
✅Easy to carry anywhere for travel
✅Delicious and Crispy
Price: RM6.00 (200g), RM16.99 (400g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
7. Oloiya Bak Gua
At Oloiya, we are serious about our meats. For our Pork Dried Meat, we only use the freshest prime cuts from the leg and belly. With our secret marinade and expert grilling techniques, we proudly present our all-time best-seller that is fragrant, juicy, and tender to the bite. Every piece embodies the perfect balance of flavor and texture, making it a must-try snack that keeps you coming back for more!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Pork Meat, Sugar, Pork Lard, Fish Gravy, Honey, Flavour Enhancer, Acidity Regulator, Flavourings, Permitted Food Conditioners & Antioxidant.
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 500g
Pros:
✅Flavoring
✅Freshness guaranteed
Price: RM65.00 (500g
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
8. Meizi Nian Gao
Nian Gao, or sticky rice cake, is a cherished treat during Chinese New Year, symbolizing growth, progress, and the promise of a better year ahead. Made from glutinous rice flour and sweetened with brown sugar, these chewy and sweet cakes are typically sliced, dipped in egg, and pan-fried to perfection, resulting in a delightful caramelized exterior. Whether enjoyed as a snack or part of the festive feast, Nian Gao brings both tradition and sweetness to the celebration.
Specifications:
- Ingredients: 300g glutinous rice flour, 200g brown sugar,400ml water,Pinch of salt, Banana leaves (to line the mold)
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 400g, 700g
Pros:
✅Simple and delicious sweetness
✅Elastic basket cakes that don’t stick to your teeth
Price: RM16.80 (400g), 28.80 (700g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
9. De ori’s Homemade Fried Crab Sticks
De Ori’s Homemade Fried Crispy Crab Sticks are the ultimate crunchy snack! Made from premium crab sticks, expertly sliced and fried to golden perfection, these snacks deliver a satisfying crisp with every bite. Lightly seasoned to enhance the natural umami flavor, they are perfect for munching during festive celebrations or as an anytime treat. Once you start, it’s hard to stop!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: 250g crab sticks, Cooking oil
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 500g
Pros:
✅Classic taste
✅Freshness guaranteed
✅Suitable for Vegetarian
Price: RM23.80 (500g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
10. Cik Pah Bakery Kuih Bahulu
Cik Pah Bakery’s Kuih Bahulu is a delightful blend of tradition and flavor, perfect for any festive occasion or as a daily treat. These golden sponge cakes are baked to perfection, boasting a light, fluffy texture and a subtly sweet taste that melts in your mouth. Made using time-honored recipes and the finest ingredients, Kuih Bahulu is a nostalgic treat that captures the essence of Malaysian heritage. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee, it’s a must-have for sharing with loved ones!
Specifications:
- Ingredients: Egg, Sugar, Vanilla extract, Baking soda, Oil, Butter
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Size Available: 500g
Pros:
✅Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
✅People’s recipes first.
Price: RM12.00 (500g)
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.asia. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
