Like most celebrations in Hong Kong, Chinese New Year provides ample opportunities for eating. And while abalone and tang yuan have a place on any seasonal table, it would be quite simply wrong if Asia’s World City didn’t serve up something a little exotic besides.
If you’re looking to combine old, new, auspicious and delicious this Lunar New Year, eat your way through this Coconuts-curated culinary wish list and start the Year of the Sheep as chubby as a newborn lamb.
Classic favourites at The Chinese Restaurant
Get to know traditional Chinese New Year cuisine at aptly named “The Chinese Restaurant” at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong. Give yourself some vigour for the new year with the “Prosperity Toss” (a starter of Chilled Shredded Abalone with Assorted Veg in Sesame Sauce) or Roasted Chicken with Honey and Osmanthus Sauce. If you’re feeling really adventurous, give the Sea Moss Soup with Pork Tongue and Lotus Roots a go. All and more are available from Feb. 16 to March 15.
The Chinese Restaurant, Level 3, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (Google Map), (+852)
3721-7788.
Celebrate Vietnamese New Year with special rice cakes at Chôm Chôm
Screw Chinese New Year – it’s all about Vietnamese New Year at Chôm Chôm this month, obviously. Try Chef Peter Cuong Franklin’s take on the traditional holiday rice cake, a delish-sounding Pandan Leaf Parcel of Grilled Minced Pork-Stuffed Sticky Rice, topped with Pickled Shallots and Garlicky Sriracha Sauce (HKD78).
Chôm Chôm, 58 Peel Street, Central (Goolge Map), (+852) 2810-0850.
Spainese New Year
Apparently you can now do Chinese New Year the Spanish way, at least according to Boqueria. The Central restaurant is aiming to honour the traditions and flavours of the local festival with a menu for sharing with friends and family. The Catalan-style tapas feast – which will include Deep-Fried Paella Fritters with Chicken and Chorizo for “prosperity”, Braised Pork Belly with Charmoula for “wealth”, and lots of fresh seafood, just because everyone loves it. The menu for four is available between Feb. 16 and 22 for HKD488.
Boqueria, 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central (Google Map), (+852) 2321-8681.
New Year party time at Fatty Crab!
New Year will be in full swing at Central’s Fatty Crab from Feb. 19 to 22. Chinese New Year Happy Hour will be running from 5pm until 1am every night, with the special menus presented in giant lai see red envelopes. They’ll also be a bunch of Chinese-style drinking games to take part in and plenty of prizes to be won. Wahoo, count us down, baby!
Fatty Crab, 11-13 Old Bailey Street, Central, (Google Map) (+852) 2521-2033.
All-out decadence at Lai Bun Fu
After a soft-opening in December, Lai Bun Fu and former Government House chef Chung Kin Leung are celebrating their first Chinese New Year. Serving up authentic dishes with a modern twist, this high-end newcomer if offering three group menus (up to 12 people) for different budgets. The “Health” menu (HKD9,800) consists of “seafood and earth parings”, the “Wealth” menu (HKD13,800) celebrates Hong Kong’s best seasonal ingredients, and the “Fortune” menu (18,800) comprises of a super swanky 12-course banquet. It’s a “go big or go home” kind of thing.
Lai Bun Fu, 5/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central (Google Map), (+852) 2564-3868, info@laibunfu.com.
