What’s In My Online Order: Xien Zhou, Mama Yu

White Rabbits: These sweets are so nostalgic in every Chinese household – they’re creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. I love having them as a little pick me up. 

Dates: When I used to work in the corporate world and was studying for my CFA, my snack obsession was dates filled with pistachio cream and peanut butter to power me through late-night study sessions. I love Zaytoun’s Palestinian dates – they’re naturally sweet, rich and perfect for a quick energy boost. 

Pastries: Whenever mum and I work late at the kitchen, we’ll have a later start the next day and make sure to treat ourselves with some delicious pastries from local bakeries. I love all the sweet and savoury treats from Pophams and if I lived closer to Toad Bakery I’d be there all the time. 

Doritos: The Tangy Cheese flavour is my guilty pleasure; so simple but effective. I like to have it with homemade guacamole or pop them under the grill with lots of cheese. 

Chocolate: I love Tony’s Chocolonely’s Caramel Sea Salt flavour, which is so addictive. I could eat a whole bar in one sitting. I also like the Hazelnut Dark Butter Chocolate from Hu, it’s indulgent but still light. 

Spring rolls: I grew up in Chinese takeaways and restaurants and my favourite snack was my mum’s classic spring rolls or her iconic jumbo roll, which was basically an XL version of the usual spring roll. 

Nuts: I love snacking on dried nuts, especially pistachios, cashews, walnuts and almonds. Labneh with dried nuts and honey is delicious. I also love the Belgian milk chocolate Brazilians from  Forest Feast. 

Sweet Potato: Japanese sweet potatoes are particularly tasty. Roasted on a low heat, they become beautifully jammy and naturally sweet – perfect as a snack on its own or you can turn it into a dessert by pouring maple syrup on top with dash of coconut milk and topped with toasted sesame seeds. 

Wontons: I always make a fresh batch at home every few weeks. They freeze well, so they’re perfect for quick and easy weeknight snacks. For a heartier meal, I'll toss cooked noodles in a wok with soy sauce, oyster sauce and white pepper, and serve the wontons alongside blanched greens. 

Chicken bone broth: I’ll simmer the bones alongside any vegetable scraps for a few hours on a Sunday night to make a big batch and portion it out into glass containers. Whenever I’m craving a nourishing meal, I’ll reheat it and add any extras I have from the fridge like tofu or leftover rice.

Pandan leaves: My go-to for adding a fragrant, vanilla-like aroma to desserts and curries. Infuse coconut milk with pandan leaves to make pandan chiffon cake, pandan kaya (jam) and kuih seri muka (a popular Malaysian dessert). You can also tie the pandan leaf into a knot to simmer in curries. 

Coconut milk: If I don’t need the whole can of coconut milk, I portion it into ice cube trays before freezing. This keeps it fresh longer, and I can just pop out a few cubes whenever I need them for curries, soups or desserts. 

Mince meat: I keep chicken or pork mince in the freezer and defrost in the morning in a bowl of cold water so it’s ready cook in the evening. Perfect for dishes like meatball soups, wrapping dumplings like jiao zi, or for sheng cai bao (lettuce cups). If I have any fresh basil, I’ll make pad kra pao – stir fried minced meat with herbs and chillies, served with rice and a very crispy fried egg.

HEYTEA: I’m obsessed with its ‘Mango Boom’ flavour – it’s sensational, so creamy and refreshing. The ‘Grape Boom’ is also so delicious. 

Chinese tea: I’m not too fussy on brands but my top three flavours are pu’er, as it helps digestion after meals, oolong which it’s floral and perfect for dim sum, and jasmine which is light and refreshing.

Botivo: This has become my go-to non-alcoholic aperitif whenever I’m out for dinner. It’s fresh and zesty with a hint of bittersweet herbs – perfect when I want to feel sophisticated but drink something alcohol-free. 

Rude Health Organic Oat Milk: I swear by this brand; if the recipe ever changed, I’d be devastated. It’s rich and malty, perfect for my morning matcha. It only contains five ingredients without added sugars or artificial additives which is always a green flag. 

100PLUS: I can’t explain the taste of this but it’s simple and refreshing. It reminds me of Malaysia and is a great electrolyte drink.

San Pellegrino: I used to only drink still water, but this brand has changed the game for me. I love how it’s crispy but lightly mineralised and perfectly refreshing.

Ginger Beer: If I’m out for drinks, my go-to is a shot of spiced rum and ginger beer (specifically Bundaberg if they have it). It’s one of the safe drink combos for me that won’t give me a red face after a sip. 

Natural wine: I love natural wine, especially a fun glass of orange wine whenever I spot a new label. There are so many new brands out there so I’m trying to play catch up trying as many different ones as possible when I’m at a nice wine bar.

Pre-order a bottle of Mama Yu Chilli Oil at DELLI.COM

Follow @XIENSSCRAN