Chinese New Year – What To Eat
Melbourne is internationally renowned for its Chinese New Year festival. If you’re in the city, it’s hard to miss – crackers and dragons and performances colour the city, the streets adorned with red and gold. But as the cracker smoke begins to settle after New Year’s Eve – don’t despair! There is plenty to do and EAT throughout the month to celebrate this holiday.
Dainty Sichuan Hotpot
The Dainty Sichuan conglomerate is best known for its Toorak Road Establishment in South Yarra, and more recently, its Express Noodle Bar in Emporium. But for real Chinese food enthusiasts, Dainty Sichuan Lonsdale hotpot is a truly authentic experience.
Order a spicy or chicken stock-based soup, order some meat and vegies (we recommend premium beef slices, prawn balls and enoki mushrooms), load up your sauce bowls at the condiment bar with XO, beef and leek sauces, spring onions and coriander and get ready for a taste explosion with a heap of character that is perfect to celebrate the New Year.
Dainty Sichuan Food
149 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Ph: 9662 2019
http://daintysichuan.com
Monkey Dumplings at Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung are known for their prowess in the dumpling department, and aren’t ones to shy away from a celebratory novelty dumpling or two.
To celebrate Chinese New Year, Din Tai Fung are offering adorable monkey-faced dumpling stuffed with a sweet filling of chocolate and banana throughout the month of February. A New Year must-try!
Din Tai Fung Emporium
Shop 4, 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Ph: 9654 1876
https://www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au/stores/emporium-melbourne
The Lunar Markets
Given the success of the Night Noodle Markets, it’s no wonder that for the first time this year, The Age has created a pop-up market to celebrate Chinese New Year – The Lunar Markets. Running until Feb 14, this great little pop-up is transforming the Docklands into an array of delicious food and colour.
Treat yourself to some Bangkok Streetfood, or have a delicious dessert bao from Wonderbao to honour the Lunar calendar while you enjoy the entertainment on offer along the esplanade.
The Age Lunar Markets
Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
http://www.lunarmarkets.com.au
A Chinese New Year Banquet Feast at Spice Temple
If you’re looking for a sophisticated way to bring in the New Year, look no further than Neil Perry and Chef Graeme Hunt’s Lunar Banquet at Spice Temple to give yourself every chance to usher in a successful Year of the Monkey.
Running until February 13, the specially-designed menu is choc-full of sumptuous treats including pork, egg and garlic chive spring rolls, stir fried spanner crab and red-braised short ribs with Sichuan black beans.
Spice Temple Melbourne
Crown Complex, Southbank
Ph: 8679 1888
http://www.rockpool.com/spicetemplemelbourne/