Cheers to the Year of the Tiger with traditional favorites at one of these local eateries. Gong hei fat choy!
Buddakan
If you’re looking for a memorable place to celebrate the Lunar New Year, look no further than Buddakan. Cooking up lavish dishes, all in the name of the Tiger, the pre-set menu for four includes a course for every blessing—strength, togetherness and prosperity, among others. For strength, order the pork dumplings with a spicy house chili sauce, and to ensure a long life, feast on the tiger shrimp longevity noodles with chive blossoms, ginger and snow peas. 325 Chestnut St., 215.574.9440, buddakan.com
Dim Sum Garden
With claims to possess the original Xiao Long Bao recipe (Chinese for steamed soup dumpling), fifth generation chef Shizhou Da’s divine soup dumplings will have you savoring the new year. While you’re busy devouring dumplings, don’t forget about the dim sum classics like roast pork bun or shrimp and pork shao mai. For those hoping to ring in the New Year from home, Dim Sum Garden’s delectable dumplings are also available for pick up. 1020 Race St., 215.873.0258, dimsumgardenphilly.com
Dim Sum House by Jane G’s
Dim till one and cocktails till two: Is there any better way to start off a new year? At Dim Sum House by Jane G’s, celebrate with Shanghai and Cantonese style dim sum, along with Jiang Nan cuisine: A few Canton favorites include turnip cakes and shrimp stuffed eggplant. And if you’re looking for something more exclusive, make a special reservation for the king crab served three ways, flown in straight from the Norwegian Sea. Multiple locations, dimsum.house
Dodo Bakery
After enjoying a tasty New Year dinner, stop by Dodo Bakery for freshly baked Hong Kong style pastries, buns and custom cakes. The famed prosperity rice flower cake is available for a limited time—the more cuts in the cake and the bigger the split across the top, the more prosperous you’ll be. Customers can also slice into the traditional glutinous rice cake called nian gao (which roughly translates to higher success in the new year). To wash it all down, order ambrosial boba tea, with flavors ranging from matcha to mango. 2653 S. 11th St., 215.820.9804, dodobakery.co
The Fin
Elevate your Lunar New Year with a three course feast offered by The Fin, one of Philadelphia’s newest Chinese-owned restaurants. Beneath colorful lanterns, try unique dishes with a modern Chinese twist like lobster spring rolls, vegetable stuffing with sweet and sour glaze or candied fruit skewers. The evening won’t be complete without the restaurant’s special Johnnie Blue Lunar New Year edition cocktail. 1000 Frankford Ave. Suite One, 215.593.2228, thefinusa.com
Sang Kee Peking Duck House
Embrace your inner tiger this Lunar New Year with a whole peking duck from the Sang Kee Peking Duck House. A Philadelphia staple since 1980, Sang Kee offers an extensive Chinese barbeque menu including Hong Kong style roast duck, honey coated roast pork and ginger scallion chicken. Do yourself a favor and prowl down to Chinatown this week to gather some barbeque strength for the lucky year ahead. 238 N. 9th St., 215.925.7532, sangkeechinatown.com
Photography by: Scribbling Geek/Unsplash
