Pineapple Tarts, Peanut Cookies, Shrimp Rolls: How Much Cheaper Are Popular CNY Goodies In Johor? 

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, many of us will likely be looking forward to family gatherings, some down time from work, and of course, the festive snacks that have become staples during our celebrations.  

Goodies such as Bak Kwa, pineapple tarts, peanut cookies and chicken floss will likely be on many of our shopping lists. 

To save on these increasingly expensive treats, some of us may be planning to zip across the border – to Johor – for a spot of Chinese New Year shopping. While we’re doing so, we should also familiarise ourselves with restrictions on things that we cannot bring back into Singapore. In particular, we’ve already read about motorists being stopped at the causeway and ordered to discard some of their purchases. For example, Bak Kwa and Pork Floss from Malaysia is not allowed to be brought into Singapore. 

In future, we can expect more flexibility on the quantity of food brought in for private consumption – with the passing of the  Food Safety and Security Bill (FSSB) in Parliament on 8 January 2025. However, this is not yet in force. 

With that in mind, here’s how much popular Chinese New Year goodies cost in Johor compared to Singapore.  

Read Also: Shopping Across the Causeway: 12 Things You Can And Cannot Buy 

Pineapple Tarts 

Source: Tong Ah Bakery

Like in Singapore, the prices of Chinese New Year snacks in Johor can vary significantly depending on where we buy it from. If you’re buying the snacks from popular brands or shops known for specialising in making certain Chinese New Year snacks, the prices are likely to be costlier compared to purchasing the snacks at regular shops or even departmental stores.  

This could be due to the specialty stores serving homemade style products prepared by the makers using family recipes or more quality ingredients.     

A popular Chinese New Year snack is the pineapple tarts, which are buttery pastries with sweet and sour pineapple jam filling. Based on the comparisons we made, pineapple tarts in Johor may be around 50% cheaper compared to those in Singapore. 

A check on the website of popular Tong Ah Bakery in Johor Bahru showed that its signature pillow-shaped pineapple tarts cost RM42 (S$12.75) a box. In Singapore, you can purchase similar kinds of pineapple tarts at Bengawan Solo for S$28 a box. 

For a more affordable option, bakery chain Lavender Bakery also sells pineapple tarts. Assuming that the product prices are consistent across all outlets, pineapple tarts at a Johor Lavender Bakery shop would cost RM19 (S$5.77) per unit, according to its website. Meanwhile, the same traditional pineapple tarts in Lavender Bakery in Singapore cost S$11.50 per unit. 

Peanut Cookies 

Source: Yong Sheng

If you enjoy the crunchy and rich flavour of nuts, perhaps peanut cookies may just be the Chinese New Year snack of choice for you. 

Popular bakery Yong Sheng in Johor sells peanut cookies for RM39.80 (S$12.08) per can. Meanwhile, you can get peanut cookies at Xin Yong Sheng in Singapore for S$23.90. 

You can also purchase peanut cookies at Village Grocer in Paradigm Mall, Johor for RM19.88 (S$6.03) per can. On the other hand, peanut cookies in Fair Price, Singapore retails for S$9.90 per can. 

As we can see, peanut cookies are around 39% to 49% cheaper in Johor than in Singapore. 

Read Also: 3 Popular Lifestyle Brands That Are Cheaper In Singapore Compared To Malaysia 

Seaweed Crackers 

Source: Crystal Peanut

For those who prefer savoury snacks, seaweed crackers have grown to be quite popular at Chinese New Year gatherings. 

Based on the comparisons below, we find that seaweed crackers are cheaper by around 38% to 68% in Johor than in Singapore. 

You can buy salted egg-flavoured seaweed crackers at popular bakery shop Ming Ang, Johor for RM36 (S$10.92) per can. On the flip side, Pineapple Tarts Singapore sells salted egg seaweed crisps for S$33.80 per unit.  

For a more affordable option, Crystal Peanut King in Johor also sells salted egg seaweed crisps for RM28 (S$8.50) per bottle, while seaweed crackers at Hong Cook Food, Singapore retails for S$13.80 per unit. 

Kuih Bangkit 

A traditional snack that you can often find at Chinese New Year gatherings is kuih bangkit, a biscuit made from sago or tapioca starch and coconut milk. 

If you’re looking to buy kuih bangkit, you can do so at Huat’s Up, a Muar-based shop for RM33.80 (S$10.26) per unit. Meanwhile, Pineapple Tarts Singapore sells kuih bangkit for S$31.80 per unit.   

Based on the comparison below, kuih bangkit is around 68% cheaper in Johor than Singapore. 

Shrimp Rolls 

Source: Huat’s Up

A popular seafood snack is the savoury fried shrimp rolls with dried sambal-flavoured shrimp filling. 

You can purchase spicy shrimp rolls at Huat’s Up in Muar for RM33.80 (S$10.26) per can. On the other hand, similar spicy shrimp rolls retail for S$19 at Ollella in Singapore.  

As we can see, shrimp rolls are 46% cheaper in Johor compared to Singapore. 

Read Also: Comparing 21 Household Items From Bread To Kitchen Towels: What Is The Price Difference Between Buying In Singapore And Malaysia? 

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