CNY buffet catering is one of the busiest — and most joyful — catering seasons in Singapore. From reunion gatherings and open houses to corporate lo hei celebrations, Chinese New Year is when families and companies feed a crowd around auspicious, symbolic dishes. This guide covers what a festive CNY menu should include, realistic per-pax pricing and how to book before the season fills up. As an event studio, Functions.sg does not cook the food ourselves — we coordinate Chinese New Year catering through trusted partner caterers so an auspicious spread is arranged and delivered as part of your event planning.
What a Chinese New Year catering menu includes
A CNY spread leans on dishes chosen as much for their symbolism as their taste. A festive buffet typically features:
- Yusheng (lo hei) — the raw-fish prosperity salad tossed together for good fortune, the centrepiece of any CNY meal.
- Auspicious mains — whole fish (surplus and abundance), prawns (happiness), a poultry dish and a braised item such as sea cucumber or mushrooms.
- Symbolic staples — longevity noodles, fried rice, and dumplings or spring rolls (wealth).
- Festive desserts — nian gao, pineapple tarts, mandarin oranges and chilled sweets.
Many caterers offer CNY packages that bundle yusheng and a pen cai (treasure pot) with the buffet. The pen cai — a layered braised pot of premium ingredients — is a popular centrepiece for reunion dinners and can be ordered on its own for smaller family gatherings.
CNY buffet catering price ranges in Singapore
Festive CNY menus sit above standard buffets thanks to premium seafood, yusheng and pen cai, plus strong seasonal demand. The ranges below are typical market figures for planning only — we will get you a firm quote from our partner caterers for your date and headcount.
| Option | Typical range (SGD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CNY buffet (standard) | $22 – $32 per pax | Office and family gatherings |
| CNY buffet (premium) | $32 – $55 per pax | Corporate lo hei, larger celebrations |
| Yusheng platter (add-on) | $40 – $90 each | Any CNY event |
| Pen cai (treasure pot) | $150 – $400 each | Reunion dinners, premium spreads |
Expect seasonal surcharges, higher delivery fees over the festive days, and earlier headcount deadlines. The days just before and during CNY are the most sought-after slots, so book well ahead to secure your date and menu.
Halal and dietary options for Chinese New Year
CNY gatherings in Singapore are often mixed, and halal CNY catering is available — MUIS-certified caterers offer festive spreads including halal yusheng and auspicious dishes prepared in certified kitchens, so Muslim colleagues and friends can join the lo hei fully. Confirm the certificate is current when you book. Also flag vegetarians (a meat-free yusheng and vegetable-forward dishes are easy to arrange) and any seafood allergies, given the prominence of fish and prawns. Making sure the whole table can toss the yusheng together is one of the details we manage when arranging your catering.
CNY catering for corporate lo hei events
Corporate lo hei sessions are a Singapore workplace tradition — a shared yusheng toss to kick off the working year with good wishes. Catering is part of a wider celebration that often includes a decorated space, a group toss, festive music and photos. If you are organising a company lo hei, our corporate events team can coordinate the catering alongside the venue, styling and run of the event. When we handle it end to end, the festive menu, the yusheng moment and the setup all arrive together, so your team simply turns up and celebrates.
How to book CNY catering without the rush
The festive season rewards early planning:
- Fix your date and headcount early — CNY slots, especially the reunion period, book out first.
- Choose your centrepiece — yusheng is a must; add a pen cai for reunion dinners.
- Confirm dietary coverage — halal certification, vegetarian yusheng and seafood allergies.
- Check the venue’s rules — some spaces have preferred caterers or setup limits.
- Book three to six weeks ahead — the earlier, the better your choice of menu and slot.
If organising festive catering amid a busy season is the last thing you need, our event planning service arranges it through our partners and coordinates the rest so your CNY celebration is properly handled.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I book CNY catering in Singapore?
Book three to six weeks ahead. Chinese New Year is one of the busiest catering periods of the year, and reunion-period slots plus premium items like pen cai sell out first. Early booking secures your date, protects your menu choice and helps with pricing before demand peaks.
Can I get halal CNY catering with yusheng?
Yes. MUIS-certified caterers offer halal festive spreads including halal yusheng prepared in certified kitchens, so Muslim guests can join the lo hei fully. Confirm the certificate is current when booking. We can arrange a certified halal CNY menu as part of coordinating your catering.
What is pen cai and do I need it?
Pen cai is a layered “treasure pot” of braised premium ingredients, a popular reunion-dinner centrepiece symbolising abundance. It is optional — a great addition for premium spreads or smaller family gatherings ordered on its own, but not essential if your budget is focused on the buffet and yusheng.
Is there a vegetarian yusheng option?
Yes. Caterers can prepare a vegetarian yusheng that swaps the raw fish for vegetable or plant-based ingredients while keeping the auspicious toss intact. Flag the requirement when you enquire, and we will make sure vegetarian guests can take part in the lo hei too.
Get your CNY spread arranged early
An auspicious Chinese New Year event comes down to the right symbolic dishes, inclusive dietary coverage and booking before the reunion rush. If you would rather not chase caterers during the festive season, tell us about your celebration and we will arrange a CNY spread through our partners as part of the plan. Start with our event planning service, see our corporate events services for company lo hei, or request a quote and we will take it from there.
Let us coordinate your catering
As a Singapore event studio, Functions.sg arranges catering through trusted partner caterers as part of your event planning — matched to your format, budget and dietary needs. See our catering coordination overview, or tell us about your event and we’ll get you comparable quotes.