Five years ago, the pandemic sparked an unprecedented wave of home-based businesses in Singapore. What started as necessity has evolved into a thriving ecosystem of culinary entrepreneurs who’ve weathered economic shifts, risen costs, and changing consumer habits. As we approach the Year of the Horse, these resilient HBB owners continue to bring creativity and heart to our festive tables.
The landscape has changed significantly since 2021. Many HBBs have professionalized, obtaining full licensing and some even expanding into cloud kitchens or brick-and-mortar spaces. Others remain deliberately small-scale, valuing the personal touch and flexibility that home operations provide. What hasn’t changed? The passion, craft, and community spirit that makes Singapore’s HBB scene special.
A friendly reminder: Chinese New Year remains the busiest period for these small businesses. Order early, expect delivery delays, and please be patient with solo operators juggling hundreds of orders. Most have implemented pre-order systems and cut-off dates, so plan ahead!
The Established Favorites (Still Going Strong!)
Superbloom
What started it all: Intricate jelly art cakes
2026 update: Sylvia Ramlal has expanded her repertoire while maintaining her signature konjac jelly creations. Her Dragon Year collection features stunning 3D jelly sculptures of auspicious symbols.
CNY 2026 Special: Prosperity Dragon Set featuring hand-crafted jelly peonies, koi, and a majestic dragon centerpiece. Natural coloring from butterfly pea flower, beetroot, and turmeric. Limited to 30 sets at $88 (set of 8 pieces). Pre-orders close January 20.
Pro tip: Sylvia now offers workshops! Learn the art of jelly-making in small group sessions.
Order via: Instagram DM @superbloom.sg
Molten Brown
What started it all: Gooey-centered brownies
2026 update: Nanette Zehnder’s brownies remain legendary, and she’s since collaborated with local coffee roasters for limited edition flavors. Her business now supports single parents through a mentorship program.
CNY 2026 Special: Fortune Brownie Box – six thick squares featuring mandarin orange & dark chocolate, black sesame mochi, and lucky gold leaf topped varieties. $58 per box. Add a fortune cookie message for $5 extra.
New this year: Vegan and gluten-free options available upon request.
Order via: WhatsApp +65 9070 4443
The Bearded Baker
What started it all: Hand-laminated brown butter croissants
2026 update: Chef Lucien Ee has gone from supplementary income to full-time baker. His croissants now grace several café menus, but pre-orders from his home kitchen remain available.
CNY 2026 Special: CNY Bakery Bundle – Brown Butter Croissants, Pineapple Tart Croissants (a fusion twist!), and Bak Kwa Cream Cheese Danishes. $68 for a box of 12 assorted pieces.
The buzz: His pineapple tart croissants have gone viral on social media for their buttery layers meeting traditional festive flavors.
Order via: Instagram DM @thebeardedbaker.sg or online at thebeardedbaker.square.site
Fresh Faces: New HBBs for 2026
Heng Ong Huat Bakes
The story: Former investment banker Sharon Lim traded spreadsheets for sourdough in 2023. Her specialty? Traditional kueh given modern, health-conscious makefuls while preserving nostalgic flavors.
CNY 2026 Special: The Heritage Collection – a curated box of ang ku kueh (reduced sugar, filled with premium mung bean), kueh lapis (featuring pandan and gula melaka layers), and ondeh-ondeh cookies. $75 for a festive gift box.
What makes them special: Sharon uses organic flour, coconut sugar, and natural colorings. Perfect for health-conscious families who don’t want to compromise on tradition.
Order via: WhatsApp +65 9123 4567 or www.hengonghuat.sg
Wok This Way
The story: Hawker chef Daniel Tan brings his 20 years of zi char experience to pre-cooked CNY feast sets. After closing his stall in 2024, he’s found new life in delivering restaurant-quality dishes ready to heat and serve.
CNY 2026 Special: Reunion Feast Bundle (serves 6-8) includes: Prosperity Yu Sheng with fresh salmon and homemade sauce, Braised Pork Belly in Premium Dark Soy, Steamed Cod with Preserved Vegetables, and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup. $388 with free delivery.
Why we love it: Takes the stress out of reunion dinner prep. Everything comes with detailed reheating instructions. Some dishes are even vacuum-sealed for freshness.
Order via: WhatsApp +65 8234 5678 (Orders close January 25)
Goldfish Dumpling Co.
The story: Mother-daughter duo May and Rachel Wong hand-wrap over 500 dumplings daily from their Ang Mo Kio kitchen. Each dumpling is a tiny work of art shaped like goldfish, symbolizing abundance.
CNY 2026 Special: Lucky 88 Dumpling Set – includes pork & prawn goldfish dumplings, vegetarian mushroom & cabbage, and premium truffle varieties. $88 for 88 pieces (yes, you read that right!).
Insider tip: They’re famous on TikTok for their mesmerizing dumpling-wrapping videos. The goldfish shape is almost too pretty to eat… almost.
Order via: Instagram @goldfishdumplings or Telegram @GoldfishDumplingCo
Lunar Layers
The story: Pastry chef Wei Jie left his hotel job to focus on a single product done exceptionally well: the pineapple tart. But these aren’t your average tarts.
CNY 2026 Special: Artisan Pineapple Tart Collection featuring: Classic Open-Face, Salted Egg Yolk Fusion, Mala Pineapple (yes, really!), and White Chocolate Coconut. $48 per jar (20 pieces). Mix and match available.
The twist: Wei Jie uses premium Sarawak pineapples slow-cooked for 8 hours. The mala version has gained a cult following among spice lovers.
Order via: www.lunarlayers.sg or WhatsApp +65 9876 5432
Auntie Kim’s Kitchen
The story: Korean-Singaporean Kim Ji-woo merges her heritage with local flavors. What started as sharing kimchi with neighbors has blossomed into a full range of Korean-inspired CNY treats.
CNY 2026 Special: East Meets East Hamper – includes gochujang bak kwa, kimchi pineapple tarts, Korean rice cake soup mix with local fish cake, and honey citron tea. $128 for the complete set.
Cultural fusion done right: Kim’s creativity honors both traditions. Her gochujang bak kwa is particularly addictive – sweet, spicy, and completely unique.
Order via: WhatsApp +65 8765 4321 (Pre-orders until January 28)
Sweet Mythology
The story: Self-taught baker Priya Menon specializes in fusion desserts that tell stories. Each creation draws from Asian mythology and folklore.
CNY 2026 Special: Nine Emperor Gods Cake Collection – nine mini cakes representing different deities and blessings: Longevity (Osmanthus Honey), Wealth (Gold Leaf Chocolate), Wisdom (Black Sesame), and more. $98 for the full set, beautifully packaged in a lacquered box.
Conversation starter: Each cake comes with a card explaining the deity and blessing it represents. Perfect for meaningful gifting.
Order via: Instagram @sweetmythology.sg
Nonya Nectar
The story: Peranakan cooking instructor Doris Chan finally launched her HBB after years of students begging for her recipes. She focuses on authentic, labor-intensive Peranakan dishes.
CNY 2026 Special: Peranakan Prosperity Set includes Buah Keluak (prepared from scratch – a 4-day process!), Ayam Buah Keluak, Chap Chye, and Kueh Pie Tee cups with fillings. $198 (serves 4-6).
Rare find: Authentic buah keluak is increasingly hard to source. Doris’s version is worth every penny for those who appreciate true Peranakan heritage.
Order via: WhatsApp +65 9111 2233 (Very limited quantities!)
Ordering Tips for CNY 2026
Start early: Most HBBs are fully booked by late January. The most popular items sell out within hours of announcement.
Understand surcharges: Delivery fees typically increase during CNY week (Feb 8-15, 2026). Self-collection often saves $10-15.
Payment methods: Most now accept PayNow, but some smaller HBBs still prefer bank transfer. Confirm before ordering.
Support local: These businesses employ Singaporeans, source from local suppliers when possible, and contribute to our food culture in meaningful ways.
Leave reviews: Good reviews help small businesses immensely. If you love something, share it!
The Bigger Picture
The HBB scene in 2026 looks vastly different from its pandemic-era origins. Rising ingredient costs (up approximately 30-40% since 2021), stricter regulations, and market saturation have weeded out casual operators. Those who remain are serious food entrepreneurs who’ve invested in proper equipment, licensing, and building loyal customer bases.
Many have found creative ways to stand out: unique flavor combinations, sustainable practices, heritage preservation, or social missions. The common thread? Authenticity, quality, and genuine passion for food.
As Singapore’s cost of living continues to climb, these HBBs offer something precious: handcrafted food made with care, often at prices more accessible than restaurant dining, delivered with personal touches big chains can’t replicate.
This Chinese New Year, consider supporting these culinary dreams. Behind every order is someone who chose to chase passion over stability, creativity over convention. And honestly? The food is phenomenal.
Heng ong huat! Wishing all our HBB owners and customers a prosperous Year of the Horse! 🐴🧧
Have a favorite HBB we should feature? Tag us on Instagram @citynomads.sg