Lunar New Year is one of the most important and longest celebrations in the Chinese calendar and is also a time for reunions and celebrations with family and friends. Lunar New Year feasts are believed to symbolize good fortune and are a joyous celebration of togetherness. There are even particular dishes that are served at these feasts in celebration of the New Year. For instance, black moss seaweed is eaten to increase wealth; dried or fried bean curd represents fulfillment of wealth and happiness; a whole serving of fish signifies togetherness and abundance; and noodles served uncut symbolizes longevity and long-life.
Lunar New Year feasts and special offerings in Chinatown:
A & B Lobster King House(1 Mott Street, 212-566-0930 - From Feb 8-12 will feature a special selection of “Poon Choy,” which according to legend was served to a king who had fled to Hong Kong. The Hong Kongnese welcomed the king with a feast but did not have enough plates to serve the food so they layered the food in a large bowl with the most absorbent foods at the bottom (i.e. turnip, tofu), and the most flavorful items on top (i.e. meat, seafood). The idea behind this method (which later became known as “Poon Choy”) is the layer of food at the bottom would absorb the flavors and juices from the layer above it. The Golden Poon Choy is priced at $50 per person. Vegetarian Poon Choy is $18 per person.
Golden Unicorn Restaurant(18 East Broadway, 212-941-0911) - From Feb 6 - March 6, 2005, Golden Unicorn will offer a wide variety of special Lunar New Year dishes such as braised 16-headed abalone($38.80) and baked pork Peking style in nest with fried bean curd($13.80), as well as many banquet choices. The Wealthy Banquet Package, priced at $298 for ten people including a complimentary bottle of wine, features a 12-course set menu including deep fried Buddha’s delight roll; the stir-fried lobster with ginger and scallion; and sautéed chicken and calamari with vegetables.
A special dinner menu for the Lunar New Year is also available and is priced at $28 per person(includes tax & gratuity) with options ranging from a two-person to a ten-person dinner. Menu items include the shredded duck with rainbow vegetable; Peking roasted duck; and the fried grouper cubes with corn sauce.
Oriental Garden Restaurant(14 Elizabeth Street, 212-619-0085) From Feb 1 - March 1, they will offer four special banquet menus ranging in price from $298-498 for 10. The $298 Special Banquet Menu features dishes such as a chilled jellyfish combination; braised dried scallop and oyster with black moss seaweed; dried scallop in lettuce wrap; and stir-fried lobster with ginger and scallion.
Peking Duck House (28 Mott Street, Phone: 212-227-1810) - February 7 - 8, the Peking Duck House is offering a special Lunar New Year Menu, including appetizers, choice of two soups, entrees, and desserts (2 person minimum). The menu features steamed vegetable buns; fried scallops; fish roll with mushroom and ham; Peking duck; assorted fried rice; and green tea ice cream. The special menu also comes with a complimentary drink and is priced at $48 per person.
Sweet-n-Tart Restaurant (20 Mott Street, Phone: 212-964-0380) - Special set menus for parties of two, four, six and eight will be available at $25 per person, not including tax or gratuities. The set menu for six persons features roast Peking duck; orange flavored prawn with broccoli; and pan-fried Chilean sea bass.
The restaurant is also offering a $268 and $338 Special Banquet Menu, which features dishes such as the sautéed sliced chicken and cuttlefish with vegetables; braised fish maw in superior soup; and stir fried lobster with golden garlic.
Other restaurants offering special Lunar New Year menus include:
- Buddha Bodai (5 Mott Street, 212-566-8388) - a kosher vegetarian restaurant
- Chatham Restaurant (9 Chatham Square, 212-267-0220)
- Fuleen Seafood (11 Division Street, 212-941-6888)
- Hop Lee (16 Mott Street, Phone: 212-962-6475)
- Jing Fong Restaurant (20 Elizabeth Street, 212-964-5256)
- Mr. Tang’s Restaurant (50 Mott Street, 212-233-8898)
- Oriental Pearl Restaurant (103 Mott Street, 212-219-8388)
- Ping’s Restaurant (22 Mott Street, 212-602-9988)
- Shanghai Garden (14 A Elizabeth Street, 212-964-5640)
- The Nice Restaurant (35 East Broadway, 212-406-9776)
Cultural Events to Celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year in New York City
