As you tuck into traditional Singaporean food on December 31st, do you ever wonder what food other countries are eating for NYE?
From Chilli Crabs to Marzipan Pigs
New Year’s Eve is always a party here in Singapore. In fact, behind the scenes, preparations are already underway for the biggest celebration of the year in Marina Bay. If you’re not one of the 250,000 people heading there to ring in 2020 with fireworks and Singapore’s finest street food, perhaps you’re planning a countdown at home with the family and friends over a sharing platter of chilli crab. Both options are popular ways to see in the New Year here, but things would be very different if you lived elsewhere around the world. In many countries, it’s the food that takes centre stage on New Year’s Eve. Let’s take a look at the food that other countries are eating for NYE in 2019.
- Twelve grapes in Spain: In many countries, the New Year’s countdown is accompanied by wine. In Spain, they prefer to down grapes in their fresh form. As the clock strikes midnight, Spaniards eat one grape per second to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead.
You can pick up your own bunch of grapes anywhere to try this fun tradition. Of course, if all this talk has given you a hunger for Spanish food, you can try sharing platters from Tapas Club this New Year’s Eve. - Tteokguk in Korea: Did you know that in Korea, you gain a year of age on New Year’s Day rather than your birthday? But, if you don’t eat a sliced rice cake soup called tteokguk for New Year’s, many traditionalists say you can’t consider yourself a year older!
For an authentic tteokguk delivery, try Kim’s Family. - Glücksschwein in Germany: In Germany, pigs have become a good luck symbol-so much so that families make miniature pigs from marzipan (Glücksschwein) and eat them to celebrate the New Year.
If you want to try marzipan pigs this New Year, you’ll have to make your own. But you can order real German pork dishes from Brotzeit any day of the week. - Soba noodles in Japan: Toshikoshi soba (literally translated to ‘year-passing soba’) is the New Year’s dish of choice in Japan. The delicious long noodles symbolise saying goodbye to the previous year and welcoming longevity and prosperity for the future.
Fancy trading hae mee for soba this year? You can find a dozen different varieties at Tokyo Soba. - Whisky in Scotland: The Scots ring in Hogmanay (their version of New Year) by toasting with a glass of whisky. One of Scotland’s favourite drinks since the 15th century, this spirit is accompanied by plenty of good food and revelry.
If you’re tired of celebratory champagne and whisky sounds more like your New Year’s style, you can order your own delivery from Scottish whisky specialist Quaich Bar.
