Lunar New Year will take place on Wednesday, January 29, and a variety of dining establishments across Washington, D.C., are ready to celebrate the Year of the Snake with an exciting array of food and drink specials.
At Chang Chang, located at 1200 19th St., NW, and NiHao at 1550 Crystal Dr. in Arlington, chef Peter Chang will host festive feasts. Chang Chang is set to hold a banquet dinner on February 10, while NiHao will serve its special New Year dinner on February 11. Both dinners focus on Peking duck, with highlights including triple delight dumplings and spicy salt-and-pepper spare ribs, priced at $88 per person. Special menu items like lion’s head meatballs and black-sesame rice dumplings will be available soon.
In Falls Church, a modern Vietnamese restaurant will feature a lavish four-course dinner running until February 13, priced at $325 for four. Highlighting the menu are dishes such as hamachi crudo, longevity noodles, and a two-pound whole fluke. Guests spending over $200 have the chance to win raffle items, including luxury trips.
In Fairfax, a Southeast Asian eatery is serving a prosperity salad inspired by the traditional yee sang from January 29 to February 2 and again from February 8 to 9. This festive salad, which symbolizes good fortune, features ingredients like raw salmon or fried soft shell crab.
A bar near H Street will introduce a special cocktail menu inspired by Taiwanese flavors, available from January 29 to February 15, while a Columbia Heights restaurant will offer unique specials like cumin lamb tartare and two cocktail variations.
The Blagden Alley bistro in Shaw will host traditional lion dancers on February 1, culminating celebrations with a Baijiu dinner on February 12.
An Eckington brewery plans to host celebrations on January 31, including a lion dancing ceremony and food pop-up. Lastly, Gordon Ramsay’s pizza place in Penn Quarter will feature a unique hoisin-and-mornay-based pizza available through January 31.
This Lunar New Year promises to be an exciting celebration filled with flavors and traditions that bring joy and unity to the community.
In summary, restaurants across D.C. are offering a plethora of special dishes and events to celebrate the Lunar New Year, providing a rich cultural experience and a chance for locals and visitors alike to indulge in festive culinary delights. It’s a wonderful opportunity to engage with and appreciate diverse traditions during this joyful time.