[Review] CNY Festive Meals at Home Made Easy with Chilli Api’s Nonya Reunion Delights

With Chinese New Year (CNY) around the corner, finding catering that combines tradition and convenience at a reasonable price feels like striking gold. Chilli Api Catering has long been one of Singapore’s go-to options for Peranakan inspired buffets and mini buffets, known for its rich heritage in Nonya cuisine and affordable pricing that still delivers on flavour.

Established with a focus on traditional recipes while adapting to modern needs such as heat-to-eat packaging, the catering service recently sent us their Nonya Reunion Delights menu for 8 to 10 pax and it turned out to be a delightful spread that’s especially fitting for home celebrations this festive season. This mini buffet is priced at $398.80 before GST, which works out to about $434.69 inclusive of taxes.

First impressions matter and this menu scores highly on presentation and practicality.

Each dish arrives in microwaveable containers, complete with disposable biodegradable plates and cutlery that make warming, serving and cleaning incredibly easy.

This thoughtful packaging means hosts can focus on enjoying time with family rather than fussing over reheating or mess. Such convenience is a welcome bonus these days as dining out prices steadily rise.

Our dinner kicked off with the Prosperity Yu Sheng With Sliced Abalone, a fresh and energetic start to usher in good fortune.

It is followed by the Nonya Fishmaw Soup with 10 Head Abalone in Rich Chicken Broth, a comforting and collagen rich soup that does not skimp on the premium ingredients.

For appetisers, the Hand Rolled Chicken Ngoh Hiang is an addictive eat. These savoury meat rolls are paired with a tangy Bibik Archar that provides a refreshing crunch to balance the fried elements.

The true soul of the meal lies in the traditional Peranakan mains.

We especially enjoyed the Signature Ayam Buah Keluak with Spicy Tamarind Gravy. The earthy, nutty notes of the black nut combined with the sharp tang of tamarind created a deeply layered sauce that is synonymous with authentic Nyonya cooking.

Equally impressive was the Steamed Golden Snapper with Assam Pedas and Ong Lye. The whole snapper was fresh, and the spicy, sour gravy infused with pineapple chunks provided that signature zing that kept us reaching for more.

A surprising highlight of the spread was the Nonya Mee and Bee Hoon Goreng in Rich Prawn Broth. While it might look like a simple noodle dish, it actually tastes like a less greasy, more refined version of the beloved Singapore hawker favourite, fried hokkien prawn noodles.

The noodles soak up the umami from the prawn broth beautifully without feeling heavy on the palate.

Rounding off the savory dishes is the Braised Nonya Chap Chye with Black Mushroom and Fatt Choy, a CNY staple where the vegetables are braised until tender and permeated with the flavour of fermented bean paste.

To end the feast on a sweet note, the Collagen Cheng Tng with Peach Resin and Mini Tang Yuan is a light and cooling dessert. It provides a soothing finish to a meal filled with bold spices and rich gravies.

Given the rising costs of dining out these days, Chilli Api’s festive offerings provide great value for money and a fuss free way to enjoy a high quality reunion dinner in the comfort of home.

This menu and more choices are available from now to 16 February 2026, with compulsory booking required for the peak period of 13 to 16 February. More details are available on the official website.