9 NYC Dishes for Your 2021 Lunar New Year Celebration
Known as the city that never sleeps and with an Asian population of over 1.2 million people, New York is typically the center of Lunar New Year celebrations. Although this year looks a bit different, the importance food plays in this celebration remains unchanged. We’ve rounded up the 9 best dishes in New York City for your Lunar New Year celebration.
Tomato Soup Base from Haidilao Hot Pot 海底捞火锅
Warm up your winters with a delicious hot pot from the fan-favorite, Haidilao Hot Pot. This classic Asian dish is a staple for holiday meals. Packed with flavor and a subtle sweetness from the tomatoes, this is the perfect broth for fish, meat, or vegetables. Whether you’re dining solo or with your family, hot pot is the ultimate heart and soul-warming food to satisfy everyone.
Boiled Fish with Pickled Cabbage from Guan Fu 官府川菜
Fish, which sounds like both “wish” and “abundance”, is one of the most common dishes for the Lunar New Year because it symbolizes an increase in prosperity. While steamed fish is also very popular, Guan Fu’s boiled fish with pickled cabbage is another fantastic addition to your table. Originated in Chongqing, this dish is the perfect combination of silky Tilapia fish, rich broth, and zesty cabbage. Can’t forget that punch of spice to wake you up.
Blood in Chili Sauce from DaXi 大喜
DaXi, a popular contemporary Sichuan restaurant in Flushing, Queens, brings the heat with its Blood in Chili Sauce, using Sichuan peppercorns and dried red chilies. If you haven’t tried blood before, it has a strong spicy taste, a favorite among Sichuan locals. This dish is bright red, extremely fitting with the rest of the red decor around the holidays. It’s numbing, yet delicious, just the way all true Sichuan dishes should be. In addition to the classic noodles and dumplings, challenge yourself to try something new this year!
Family Combos from Royal Queen(New World Mall) 君豪
There’s nothing more valuable than spending time with your family during this electric holiday, so let us save you the hassle of prepping dozens of dishes. Royal Queen is offering family combo packages that serve up to 6 people with a variety of dish combinations. Family Combo A, which can serve 3-4 people, includes quite a feast: walnut shrimp, bamboo shoot beef clay pot, fried cabbage with chopped garlic, and fried glutinous rice. Need to feed a bigger crowd? Family Combo F feeds 5-6 people with their spread of steamed lobster with garlic, half of a garlic chicken, signature Kyoto spare ribs, and much more. Check out their full list of options on Chowbus.
The Dolar Shop Shrimp Paste from The Dolar Shop (Hot Pot) 豆捞坊（火锅）
With over 55 locations worldwide, The Dolar Shop is a must-try and upscale hot pot restaurant. Compared to regular shrimp, shrimp paste has a smoother and more concentrated flavor. Packed with large pieces of shrimp and rolled into balls, these are the perfect addition to your next hot pot feast. Eat these, and other shrimp dishes, to ensure liveliness, happiness, and good fortune for the new year.
Pepper Lover from Szechuan Mountain House 川山甲（法拉盛)
Satisfy every inch of your taste palette at Szechuan Mountain House. One of their signature dishes is the Pepper Lover, a stir-fry chicken dish with mixed chili peppers. If you like your food hot and spicy, this is the perfect dish for you. We can’t deliver a koi pond or install a waterfall in your home, characteristics of their in-restaurant dining experience, but we can bring you the restaurant-quality dishes to the comfort of your own home.
a5 Wagyu Steak & Premium BBQ Kit from Yakiniku Futago
Meat lovers, rejoice! We love this A5 Wagyu Steak & Premium BBQ Kit from Yakiniku Futago. Did you know Yakiniku, in Japanese, means barbecue? The unique “FUTAGO style” includes a selection of the best quality meats served at half the portion and price, compared to other BBQ restaurants. This massive package includes A5 Wagyu Steak, A5 Ribeye Center Cut, USDA Short Rib, USDA Harami Skirt Steak, Fillet, Pork Belly, Beef Tongue, and Tontoro (Mugifuji Pork Neck). That’s nearly 1.6 pounds of meat! Don’t forget the side dishes - you’ll also get rice, kimchi, assorted namul, and salad.
BBQ Dinner for 4 from Kanghodong Baekjeong NYC(K-town) 姜虎东(韩国城)
Baekjeong, originated from the Korean word for “butcher”, serves high-quality meats for premium Korean barbeque. Their food has caught the attention of famous celebrities, including Anthony Bourdain, G-Dragon, and Randall Park. Although you won’t get to dine with the stars, you can surely eat like one with their Lunar New Year BBQ Dinner for 4 on Chowbus. This feast includes 2 types of meat of your choice, 2 stews, banchans, chef's seasonal selection, a variety of dipping sauces, lettuce wraps, and rice. From spicy pork belly to bulgogi, kimchi jjigae to dwang jang jigae, your stomach is sure to be happy.
Black Milk Tea with Panna Cotta from Machi Machi 麥吉
Sweeten up your Lunar New Year with a refreshing bubble tea from Machi Machi. Known for their hand-crafted drinks that look straight out of a magazine, this Taiwan tea brand is worth checking out. Their menu includes milk tea, fruit teas, and fresh teas which you can spice up with cream cheese foam, tapioca balls, and taro balls. First-time boba drinker? We recommend the Black Milk Tea with Panna Cotta, a perfect mix of Taiwanese black tea and milk and smooth panna cotta. Not only is it delicious, but it comes in an adorable bottle!
