[Review] This CNY, Time Travel to 1980s Hong Kong with Hey Kee’s Nostalgic $888 Treasure Set

As we welcome the Year of the Horse, the search for a Chinese New Year (CNY) reunion dinner that offers both stellar food and a memorable atmosphere is officially on. If you are looking to trade the typical stiffy hotel banquet for something with a bit more character, the kindred brands Hey Kee and Lo Hey HK Seafood have launched a series of curated menus that transport diners straight to the golden era of Hong Kong.

We were recently invited to Hey Kee for a dinner tasting.

Located inside the historic former Singapore Badminton Hall on Old Airport Road in the East side of Singapore, the restaurant is best-known for its nostalgic decor and excellent food. The moment you step through the doors, it’s like you have walked into a classic Hong Kong movie set, complete with green banquet tables, red plastic chairs, and mosaic-tiled accents that perfectly capture the vanishing dai pai dong (open-air food stall) culture of the 1960s and 80s.

Regulars love the photo opportunities here, from the recreated retro bus stop to the vintage barber shop corner, which adds a fun, interactive element to the dining experience.

For our tasting, we dove into the 8++ Treasure Set, a lavish 8-course spread designed for a larger family gathering of 8 to 10 pax, along with their signature Peng Cai. Below are the dishes we sampled.

Abalone Yusheng

No CNY meal in Singapore is complete without the toss. Hey Kee’s version keeps it classic and premium with the inclusion of abalone. It’s a prosperous start that sets the tone for the seafood-heavy meal to follow.

Peng Cai

Packed to the brim with the choicest ingredients, ranging from abalone to dried oysters to fish maw and more, this iconic CNY dish is available for both dine-in and takeaway. Best enjoyed with a steaming bowl of rice to soak up the rich broth.

Typhoon Shelter Style Stir Fried Boston Lobster

This was easily one of the standouts of the night. Hey Kee is well-regarded for its Typhoon Shelter style crustaceans, a preparation method originating from Hong Kong fishermen who sought refuge in shelters during storms.

The lobster was buried under a mountain of golden, fried garlic and fermented black beans, which were incredibly fragrant and addictive.

The lobster meat itself remained succulent and sweet, peeling away easily from the shell, while the savoury, spicy kick of the garlic mixture (the “sand” of the typhoon shelter) added a bold punch of flavour that you simply could not stop eating once. you start.

Steamed Turbot with Superior Soy Sauce

In true Cantonese fashion, a steamed fish is essential for abundance. We were served the Steamed Turbot, and the freshness of the fish was undeniable.

The flesh was snowy white, delicate, and firm, cooked just right so it was not mushy. The superior soy sauce broth was light and savoury, enhancing the natural sweetness of the turbot without overpowering it.

Steamed Spring Chicken with Aged Chinese Wine

Another classic Hong Kong style dish, the aroma of the yellow wine wafts up the moment the dish hits the table. The chicken was tender and smooth, with the aged wine broth provided a comforting, herbal depth that felt very nourishing.

Stir Fried Broccoli with Scallops and Abalone Sauce

A staple during CNY dinners, the broccoli here is stir-fried to a vibrant green, retaining a nice snap, while the scallops were plump and sweet. The abalone sauce tied everything together with a glossy coating.

Lotus Leaf Rice with Eight Treasures

By this point, we were stuffed, but the Lotus Leaf Rice was suprisingly hard to resist. Usually this last course before dessert is just a space filler for big eaters, but this was legit good.

Unwrapping the leaf revealed steaming, fragrant glutinous rice loaded with savoury ingredients. The lotus leaf imparted a distinct earthy aroma to the rice, which was cooked well, sticky but with distinct grains.

Mango Pomelo Sago

To wrap up the feast, we had the Mango Pomelo Sago. It was a refreshing, chilled finale, with the sweetness of the mango puree balanced well with the tart pomelo sacs and the milky sago base, leaving us on a sweet note.

Alternative Options: Lo Hey HK Seafood

For those living in the West side of Singapore, Hey Kee’s sister concept, Lo Hey HK Seafood at One Holland Village, offers a similar nostalgic experience but with a vibe inspired by 1980s Hong Kong cinema. Expect neon lights, jade tiles, and a more cinematic flair. Their menus are largely similar, though their 8 set swaps the chicken for a Poached Duck with Superior Soy Sauce, a dish noted for its herbal complexity.

Takeaway & Availability

If you prefer to celebrate at home, both restaurants offer a 4-course CNY Takeaway Set for 8+, which includes the Abalone Yusheng, Prosperity Pen Chai, the poultry dish (chicken for Hey Kee, duck for Lo Hey), and the Lotus Leaf Rice.

The CNY menus are available from 1 February to 3 March 2026.

Do note that both restaurants will be closed on Day 1 and Day 2 of CNY (17 & 18 Feb) and will reopen on Day 3. Given the popularity of their retro photo spots and private rooms, we highly recommend booking early to secure your spot for a time-traveling reunion dinner.

Hey Kee

Address: 102 Guillemard Road, #01-01, Singapore 399719
Reservations: +65 9891 0950

Lo Hey HK Seafood

Address: 7 Holland Village Way, #03-22/23/24, One Holland Village, Singapore 275748
Reservations: +65 9615 8899