The arrival of Lunar New Year brings an array of festive culinary offerings across Washington, D.C. From lavish banquets to special cocktails, various restaurants are embracing the occasion with innovative menus and events. These establishments offer a delightful mix of traditional and contemporary dishes, ensuring patrons can enjoy a memorable dining experience. The celebrations span several weeks, featuring unique dishes that symbolize prosperity and good fortune. Among the highlights are exclusive feasts centered around signature items like Peking duck and whole fish, as well as interactive activities such as lion dance performances.
As Lunar New Year festivities kick off, diners can indulge in a variety of special menu items designed to bring luck and abundance. Restaurants like Chang Chang and NiHao are preparing elaborate dinners with unique dishes, while others introduce limited-time cocktails and seasonal favorites. Many venues also incorporate elements of tradition, offering symbolic foods and engaging experiences to enhance the celebration. Whether it’s through a multi-course meal or a themed cocktail, these establishments aim to create an unforgettable atmosphere for guests to embrace the spirit of the holiday.
Culinary Delights Mark Lunar New Year at Local Restaurants
Two renowned eateries, Chang Chang and NiHao, are set to host sumptuous feasts in honor of Lunar New Year. Chef Peter Chang’s establishments will present distinct menus, each highlighting their own specialties while centering around his famed Peking duck. At Chang Chang, guests can savor a banquet dinner on February 10, while NiHao will serve its celebratory meal on February 11. Both dinners feature a range of dishes, including triple delight dumplings and spicy salt-and-pepper spare ribs, all priced at $88 per person. Reservations are available via Tock.
In addition to the main feasts, both restaurants have introduced special menu items to complement the festivities. Patrons can enjoy lion’s head meatballs, whole branzino, and black-sesame rice dumplings. These dishes are now available at Chang Chang and will be offered starting February 1 at NiHao, running through the end of the month. Each item is carefully crafted to embody the spirit of the holiday, providing a taste of tradition and innovation. The inclusion of these specials ensures that visitors can fully immerse themselves in the Lunar New Year celebrations, whether they dine during the designated feasts or opt for a casual visit.
Unique Offerings and Festive Events Across DC
Other notable venues are joining the Lunar New Year festivities with their own creative contributions. Nue, a modern Vietnamese restaurant, has unveiled a four-course dinner that runs until February 13. This luxurious meal, priced at $325 for four people, includes dishes like hamachi crudo and seafood spring rolls. Guests spending over $200 will enter a raffle for prizes ranging from premium spirits to a trip to Vietnam. Southeast Impression, a Fairfax-based eatery, will serve a prosperity salad inspired by yee sang, a traditional dish believed to bring good fortune. Available from January 29 to February 9, this vibrant salad costs $63 and serves six to eight people, making it perfect for group gatherings.
Beyond the dining rooms, several establishments are hosting themed events to enhance the celebratory mood. Maketto Bar will introduce a Taiwanese-inspired cocktail menu from January 29 to February 15, paired with pineapple cakes. In Columbia Heights, a Hong Kong-style bistro will offer cumin lamb tartare and a specialty cocktail. Shaw’s Blagden Alley bistro plans multiple events, including lion dance performances and a Baijiu dinner on February 12. Eckington brewery will celebrate with a lion dancing ceremony and pop-up food options. Additionally, Gordon Ramsay’s pizzeria in Penn Quarter will serve a hoisin-based pizza, and Union Market’s noodle bar will distribute lucky red envelopes. Together, these diverse offerings ensure that Lunar New Year in DC is filled with delectable flavors and joyful moments.