It's only fair you feed the guests who take the time to visit you this Chinese New Year. Never mind that you have to give them red packets as well. Hospitality is hospitality.

The usual fare may include bak kwa (BBQ-ed pork), pineapple tarts, and whatnot. These are pretty good, you think.

While we don't deny the deliciousness of these snacks, they're also not good to the extent that you would hoard them in your cupboards and eat them by yourself when all the guests are gone (or would you? ?).

These, however, are all together a different story:

1. Crispy bacon enrobed in dark chocolate (Antoinette)

If normal bak kwa is getting too basic for you (the atrocity!), this westernised version of the snack may be your new Achilles' heel. Salty and sweet, Antoinette combines two of the most decadent ingredients to make your foodie fantasy come true.

Price: $15

2. Assorted Pineapple Tarts (Bakerzin)

Save for their cute appearances, these tarts may appear nondescript to the undiscerning eye. A closer look at its description soon sets it apart. What looks like ordinary pinapple tarts are actually Lemongrass Pineapple Tarts (with a harmony of spices like cinnamon and cloves) and Fish Floss Pineapple Tarts (with fish floss infused pineapple jam).

Price: $22.80/18 pieces (9 of each flavour)

3. Pork Floss Meringue (Antoinette)

This is another creation from Antoinette that combines the elements of sweet and savoury, along with tradition and novelty. We imagine the contrast in texture also adds an addictive, inhale-them-all impulse.

Price: $10

4. Sambal Shrimp Butter Cookies (Beccarino)

If you're looking for another version of Hae Bee Hiam, you might want to try Beccarino's Sambal Shrimp Butter Cookies. Not only is it not deep fried, but this particular version also happens to be eggless and handmade. They also have a variety of other cookies, similarly handmade and with no preservatives.

Price: $20.80

5. Sea Salt Almond Cookies (Butter Studio)

Even if the sea salt craze is over, these look too good to pass up. Buttery and crumbly with a hint of sea salt, we think it's best not to display it, because the guests might just wipe it clean.

Price: $26.80/400g

6. Pineapple Durian Tarts (Emicakes)

The adventurous durian-lover should definitely give this a shot. While the combination may not sound particularly appetising, it may just grow on you after the initial bite.

Promotional Price: (now till Jan. 21): $23/24 pieces

Usual Price: $28.80/24 pieces

7. Baked Nian Gao and Yam Tart (Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant @ Marriott Hotel)

While the ingredients may be traditional, the tart shell and piped yam paste in the middle makes it a neat change from the usual presentation.

Price: $28/8 pieces

8. Mahjong Tile-shaped Chocolate Pralines (The Fullerton Hotel)

Chocolate, while not typically a Chinese New Year snack (unless we're talking Ferrero rocher), is given a festive makeover in the shape of Mahjong tiles.

We're not suggesting anything, but maybe keeping one or two up your sleeve might come in useful. After all, you could always eat the evidence.

Price: $40.66/14 pieces

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