From reindeer meat to a har cheong gai Christmas tree, these are the savoury dishes to order this Christmas

Over the centuries, many exotic animals have graced the dining tables of Christmas revellers, supplying the appropriate degree of pomp to mark the closing of a long, tumultuous year.

There have been swans roasted on a spit, plucked peacocks, even pickled boar’s head.

But none have proved as popular as a certain large, semi-flightless bird from North America. Despite the dry and tough texture for which it is sometimes disparaged, the turkey reigns supreme over Christmas parties in Singapore.

Gourmet grocer Little Farms has experienced a steady and notable increase in turkey sales since 2022, as has meat grocer Swiss Butchery. The demand has risen by 20 per cent at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.

Sales have also remained consistently high over the years for restaurant The Marmalade Pantry and cafe Swissbake.

Mr Brian Stampe, 52, chief operating officer of Commonwealth Concepts, which runs both establishments, says: “The tradition of having a turkey on the table transcends time and generations, and it brings familiarity and warmth to both young and old.

“In addition, many value the convenience we offer, as the turkeys come fully prepared and ready to eat for their celebrations.”

At the same time, other trends have emerged.

According to Little Farms’ commercial director Tom Gray, 42, there has been a shift towards potluck-style gatherings, where guests contribute dishes rather than relying on the host to prepare everything. It is a development that has piqued interest in the company’s cheese and deli platters.

These gatherings are also becoming smaller, which means the traditional turkey might not always be the most suitable centrepiece.

Mr Ng Say Hoe, 49, director of food and beverage at Sheraton Towers Singapore, says: “We got feedback through the years that turkey is not the first choice for small families and gatherings. With that, we have been providing alternatives like lobster and roasted beef for several years.”

Likewise, meat retailer Kelly’s has observed customers gravitating towards smaller servings of premium products, like prime ribeye beef or Iberico ham.

Donburi chain Waa Cow! will be sticking to other meats too. Co-founder Aaron Yeo, 36, says: “We think Singaporeans tend to favour other proteins – such as beef, pork and fish – during festive celebrations.

“Turkey doesn’t have the same cultural connection here as it does in Western traditions, so it may not naturally come to mind as a celebration dish for many.”

Whatever your preference, The Straits Times has you covered. Here are 11 options for your festive feast.

If you are hosting:

Traditional turkey and ham 

Stock up on Christmas classics with one of Amara Singapore’s festive combos. 

For $228, you get a roasted turkey with black truffle butter, cognac gravy and cranberry sauce.

The Christmas Combo, which serves six to eight people, also comes with a honey-glazed boneless ham and roasted pumpkin soup with freshly baked bread. 

Alternatively, the Traditional Combo ($258) comes with turkey, ham and fruitcake. 

For some local flair, opt for the ondeh ondeh Christmas log cake instead, which retails at $63. It can also be bundled with a turkey for $158.

When: Till Dec 23 (order three days in advance)
Info: amarasingapore.oddle.me/en_SG/

Turducken Christmas bundle

Cannot decide between turkey, duck and chicken? Have them all with Da Paolo Gastronomia’s three-in-one Christmas centrepiece.

This boneless roast turkey ($388) is stuffed with shredded confit duck leg meat, roasted chestnuts, minced Italian black truffle and truffle oil. 

This filling is enrobed in another layer of minced chicken breast, sauteed shiitake and button mushrooms, leeks and onions.

The massive 4kg bird is served with a decadent black truffle gravy and feeds 10 to 12 people.

It is also available as part of Da Paolo’s Christmas Roast Bundle (from $328). Diners can opt for either the turkey or – if they are hosting a smaller group of six to eight – a stuffed boneless roast chicken filled with chestnuts, sundried tomatoes and a medley of vegetables. 

The bundle comes with a roasted pumpkin, couscous salad and flourless Valrhona chocolate log cake. 

When: Till Dec 31 (order three days in advance)
Info: gastronomia-foodtoorder.dapaolo.com.sg

Beefier bundles 

Restaurant chain Waa Cow!, best known for its beef bowls, has prepared a carnivorous feast this festive season.

If you are forgoing turkey, try one of the brand’s beefier Christmas bundles, which serve groups of either four to six people (for $268) or six to eight ($388).

Both come with the chain’s signature charcoal-roasted wagyu striploin and four koji-marinated roast chicken thighs. The bigger bundle also includes a honey-baked ham and aburi salmon fillet. 

The meat dishes will be accompanied by four sides: roasted baby potatoes with curry butter, corn with black garlic butter, mushroom relish with black pepper rempah, and burnt chilli and honey glazed carrots. 

When: Till Jan 4 (order three days in advance)
Info: waacow.sg

Eurasian Festive Bundle 

Singaporean restaurant Rempapa’s chef Damian D’Silva drew on his childhood memories for this menu, which pays tribute to his family and heritage.

Leading this line-up of festive delights is a Eurasian Debal, a richly spiced stew traditionally made with leftover meats. 

The version made by his grandfather was simmered for hours on the stove, and ready in time for Boxing Day. Chef D’Silva’s take on the dish is made with roasted pork belly, pork sausages, achar pickles, bacon bones and a rempah of shallots, Bombay onions, ginger and dried chilli. 

The bundle also features a Sunday Salad, a cherished staple typically enjoyed on Sundays as part of Eurasian celebrations. Potatoes, eggs, pickles and other vegetables are tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. 

Rounding off the meal is a warm bread pudding, lightly spiced, with a custard-like centre. The bundle costs $128++ and feeds four to six people.

When: Dec 16 to 31
Info: rempapa.sg

If you are attending a potluck: 

Turkey Wellington

Marymount Bakehouse, which recently relocated to Farrer Park, introduces a different way of enjoying turkey. 

The Marymount Wellington ($138) encases Hungarian turkey breast, which it brines in-house, in flaky puff pastry.

Burnt leeks and mushroom duxelles add another layer of earthy umami, and a fragrant thyme and maple glaze gives the dish its classic golden shine. 

This Christmas special, which is paired with cranberry sauce and truffle port juice, is best enjoyed by six to eight people.

When: Till Dec 31 (order two days in advance)
Info: marymountbakehousesg.cococart.co

Charcuterie Platters

Add variety to your party with platters of cold cuts sourced from independent farmers, cheesemongers, bakers and producers. 

While these deli platters from Little Farms are available all year round, the festive editions feature seasonal cheese, charcuterie and condiments.

They come in different sizes, from the pork-free farmer’s slate platter ($70) for one to two diners, to the prestige festive platter ($200) that feeds around 10. 

For groups of four to six, try the grazing platter ($120), which is loaded with cheeses like Comte, Reblochon Coeur Savoyard and Roquefort Black Label, as well as cured meats like Pave Spice & Chilli Sausage and Serrano Ham. Olives and nuts are included as well. 

When: Till Dec 31 (order three days in advance)
Info: littlefarms.com

Baked lobster 

Impress your friends and family by rocking up to your Christmas gathering with a Baked Whole Lobster Fricassee ($255). 

This lavish dish is part of Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel’s festive spread. The lobster meat is baked in a creamy gruyere cheese sauce with lobster broth. It rests atop a bed of pearl-shaped fregola pasta, and is served with roasted heirloom cauliflower and pickled sweety drop peppers. 

When: Till Dec 25 (order three days in advance)
Info: celebratorydelights.com/christmas

BBQ Gochujang Pork Ribs

East meets West in these sweet-spicy Canadian pork ribs ($108+) from The Marmalade Pantry. 

The ribs are first slow-cooked till tender, then coated in a housemade gochujang glaze and baked. This 1.2kg portion feeds up to eight people. 

It pairs well with the restaurant’s butternut mac and cheese ($26+) and tabbouleh salad ($26+), which are sold separately or as part of one of the Marmalade Pantry’s festive bundles. 

When: Dec 20 (order three days in advance)
Info: themarmaladepantryfestive.oddle.me/en_SG

Reindeer meat

Fancy something more exotic? Swop the usual pork, beef and poultry for reindeer. 

Huber’s Butchery is selling three cuts of raw reindeer meat sourced from Lapland: The sliced pieces ($89 a kg) can be sauteed Asian-style with vegetables, or in butter and black pepper in the traditional Finnish way.

It is also sold as a striploin steak ($149 a kg), which can be seared in a pan, or osso bucco ($49 a kg) – a cut that is best simmered in broth or slow-cooked overnight. 

Reindeer meat has a mildly gamey flavour that is similar to, but less intense than, venison. It pairs well with red wine jus, which enhances its subtle sweetness.

When: Till Dec 15
Info: hubers.com.sg/christmas

Half-turkey

Italian restaurant Acqua e Farina’s stuffed turkey returns in two sizes for 2024. 

A whole bird ($296+) feeds eight to 10, while the half portion ($154+) is suitable for smaller parties of four to five people. 

The 20-year-old recipe for Tacchino al Forno Ripieno con Castagne, passed down from chef Roberto Galbiati’s butcher father, starts by deboning the turkey, which is then stuffed with a savoury blend of minced chicken, chestnuts and mushrooms.

The turkey is then slow-roasted till golden, and served with roasted vegetables. 

When: Till Jan 5 (order two days in advance)
Info: acquaefarina.com.sg

Har Cheong Gai Christmas Tree

This Christmas tree is adorned not with baubles and fairy lights, but with crisp chunks of fried chicken. 

The showstopper from local brand Har Har Chicken! is made up of 12 prawn paste chicken wings and 12 boneless chicken thigh cutlets doused in the same marinade.

It is topped with a bright yellow star and served on a bed of yet more chicken – this time in popcorn form – and crispy fries. 

The Har Har Christmas Tree costs $100 and serves 12 to 14 people. 

When: Dec 16 to 26 (pre-orders open on Dec 9; order 48 hours in advance)
Info: harharchicken.oddle.me/en_SG/

This article was originally published in The Straits Times.