Celebrate Lunar New Year in Los Angeles with a guide to delicious food, unique traditions and exciting events happening throughout the city. From special menus at restaurants to cultural celebrations, discover how L.A.'s diverse Asian community embraces the holiday and welcomes the Year of the Snake.
Lunar New Year is a time of vibrant celebrations, cherished traditions and joyful reunions. Across China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, and beyond — including here in the U.S. — families travel great distances to gather, homes are cleaned to sweep away the past year’s misfortune, and dragon and lion dances fill the streets, inviting good luck for the year ahead. Naturally, food is at the heart of the festivities, with dishes carefully chosen for their symbolism and shared with loved ones.
Here in Los Angeles, a diverse Asian community weaves its own rich customs into the holiday, such as ringing in the holiday with afternoon tea or reimagining classic dishes with a modern twist. Although Lunar New Year celebrations herald the start of a new year on the lunar calendar, they also reflect hope, unity and resilience — values that resonate more deeply than ever after the recent wildfires that devastated parts of L.A. County. Starting Jan. 29, the Year of the Snake feels particularly poignant. After all, the snake symbolizes wisdom, transformation and renewal, shedding its old skin to start afresh — fitting themes as our communities work to rebuild. Numerous restaurants and businesses are fundraising for first responders and families affected by the fires — there’s something for everyone. From prix-fixe menus and limited-edition specials to red-envelope giveaways, L.A. offers countless ways to welcome a fortune-filled year.Best friends Carmen Seetho and Shelly Lin teamed up to open this charming San Gabriel cafe, where they showcase their Singaporean and Indonesian roots through dishes and drinks with coconut as the star ingredient, drawing inspiration from coconut-based beverages popular in Southeast Asia. From Jan. 29 through Feb. 28, the duo is offering two Lunar New Year specials. Made with fresh fruit, 100% organic young Thai coconut water, coconut meat and ice cream, the dragonfruit coconut shake comes in a vibrant hue that symbolizes vitality and good fortune. Meanwhile, nasi lemak is a Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian favorite that’s traditionally enjoyed during holidays and represents togetherness. Coconut & Co.’s version features fried anchovies, fresh cucumber, pickled shallots, hardboiled eggs and a choice of slow-cooked rendang pork or beef, simmered with more than 15 spices.Wallflower, the modern Southeast Asian restaurant known for its creative takes on classics such as beef rendang and soy-braised pork belly, is marking the Lunar New Year with two exclusive menu items. From Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, the restaurant will serve Wagyu and chive dumplings with caramelized onion and black vinegar dip, as well as hand-pulled noodles with Sichuan chile sauce and braised pork cheek. Both dishes honor key holiday dining traditions: dumplings symbolizing wealth and noodles representing longevity. To complete the celebration, guests can sip on Wallflower’s signature Red Envelope cocktail, a vibrant blend of gin, hibiscus tea, coconut pandan, lemon and egg white — a perfect toast to the new year.
Culture & Events LUNAR NEW YEAR LOS ANGELES FOOD TRADITIONS FESTIVITIES ASIAN CULTURE RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
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