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The Best Lunar New Year Feasts and Treats

Paolina Loseto

over 1 year ago

The Best Lunar New Year Feasts and Treats

This year, Feb. 1 marks the start of a New Year for many communities in Asia and the Asian diaspora. With a date determined by the lunisolar calendar, Lunar New Year falls on a different day in January or February every year, observing the cycles of the moon. Based on the Chinese zodiac, which has each year represented by one of twelve different animals, we're bidding farewell to the Year of the Ox to welcome the Year of the Tiger.

Celebrated by over 1.5 billion people worldwide, it's important to note that festivities and symbolic rituals vary from culture to culture, but one big common thread between them all is the emphasis on togetherness, reuniting with family and loved ones, often over big feasts.

With provincial restrictions loosening, coincidentally beginning on the eve of the new year on Jan. 31, many restaurants are set to open back up for indoor dining, but are also still offering takeout.

Here's your comprehensive guide to all the different feasts and treats being offered at restaurants, bakeries and more in the GTA, who are ready to ring in the Year of the Tiger.

126 Elizabeth St

Yueh Tung Restaurant

Yueh Tung Restaurant, Toronto's longest running spot for Hakka food is offering a four course meal that includes their famous Chili Chicken, in collaboration with three other small businesses. Find six handmade Lotus Blossom Cookies for dessert from family-owned Wai Tack Kee, three jars of Hakka sauces from sister-run Vooka Foods and a set of Tallboys Fortress Pilsner Beers from Hong Shing Chinese Restaurant. Pre-order this Lucky Lunar New Year Meal Set soon as they only have limited amounts available.

4271 Sheppard Ave E

Savorology Artisan Bakery

Year of the Tiger means Tiger Mochi sets from Savorology. As adorable as they are tasty, the tiger's face is Matcha Chestnut flavour, while the tiger's tail is Oreo Chocolate. They're also releasing a limited edition Red Velvet Swill Roll that's made with whipped white chocolate ganache.

10610 Bayview Ave Unit 2-3

GoGo Chicken Pot

This family-run business known for their Cantonese and Hong Kong-style dishes is offering two varieties of Poon Choi. Both come with dried oyster, dried scallop, Chinese mushroom, dace ball, taro, jumbo prawn, duck, chicken, broccoli, napa cabbage and daikon radish. The Abundant Poon Choi comes with braised pork hock, while the GOGO Poon Choi comes with braised abalone, fish maw and sea cucumber.

595 Bay St Unit E-01

Hazukido

Hazukido put together a box full of exclusive croissant flavours for Lunar New Year. Available for pre-order pick ups and deliveries, find both sweet and savoury croissants like Truffle Crab, Caramel Almond Custard and Honeycomb in the mix.

5317 Yonge St

The Good Goods

For a limited time only, The Good Goods has six mochi muffin flavours inspired by their favourite snacks growing up. Available for pre-order delivery and pick ups, flavours include Ube Coconut, Sesame Salted Egg Yolk, Pineapple Bun and Red Bean Matcha.

81 Bloor St E

Sabai Sabai

Cheers to the New Year. On Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, Sabai Sabai is offering discounted Tiger Beer with every purchase of Lao Style Chicken Wings. A portion of sales from this beer actually go towards Tiger Beer's global mission of saving endangered tigers.

6ix Treats

This home bakery is putting together boxes of bite-sized cookies and cupcakes in nostalgic flavours for the New Year. Taking orders until Jan. 31, find treats like Honey Mandarin Orange Madeleines, Chinese Almond Cookies, Coconut Pandan Macaroons and White Rabbit Candy Cupcakes.

8390 Kennedy Rd

Ming's Restaurant

Serving up Hong Kong style eats, Ming's Restaurant in Markham is bringing back their annual specials for you to order. Poon Choi, traditional cakes including Turnip, Taro and Chinese New Year cake Nian Gao and lots of combos deals are available.

1194 Bloor St W

Alma

Putting a spin on classic dishes, as Alma is now known for their modern Chinese fare, Chef Anna Chen's five course Lunar New Year menu is comprised of Duck Spring Rolls, Whole Steamed Branzino, Yuchoy, Wok Fried Longevity Noodles and Persimmon Pudding for dessert. It's only available on Feb. 1 and 2 for pick up and delivery.

Trevor Lui

Chef Trevor Lui of Joybird Fried Chicken and agency Quell Now put together a Lunar New Year #VeryAsian Dumpling Kit. Available for pre-order only, it comes with a jar of his Crazy Rich Chili and a pack of frozen Hong Kong style chicken and kale wontons. Proceeds from each kit are being donated to the Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association.

8261 Woodbine Ave #8

Skyview Fusion Cuisine

Skyview Fusion Cuisine in Markham is known for their dim sum and set meal options, perfect for big family celebrations. For the New Year they've also got a selection of traditional cakes and fried snacks available to pick up.

190 University Ave

Momofuku Noodle Bar

Available for dine-in and pre-order takeout, this Lunar New Year feast from Momofuku Noodle Bar is running from Feb. 1-12. Locally sourced, this Smoked Duck Ssäm is comprised of crispy skin breast, bibb lettuce, Momofuku Toronto house kimchi and multigrain rice. You can even get it in a Chefdrop meal kit if you prefer to prepare the meal yourself at home.

4227 Sheppard Ave E Unit B2

May Yan Seafood Restaurant

Specializing in Cantonese cuisine and seafood dishes, May Yan always offers party tray and combo options, but for Lunar New Year are adding Poon Choi to the takeout list. They only have 50 of these available, so you'll want to pre-order fast.

463 Danforth Ave

Cafe Fiorentina

Though this restaurant along the Danforth is most known for their baked goods and brunch catered dishes, chefs Tina Leckie and Alex Chong have created an exclusive menu to celebrate the New Year. This includes dishes like Duck and Taro Spring Rolls, San Choy Bao and Whole Fish en Papilotte. You have until Jan. 30 to order for pick up in early February.

Mamabui Catering

Mamabui's Vietnamese food catering service is running a special menu for Lunar New Year, full of traditional dishes. This includes a Red Sticky Rice Platter, Caramelized Pork Belly with Eggs, Bamboo Shoot and Pork Hock Soup and Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup. If you miss out on ordering this feast, be sure to follow them on Instagram for their weekly menu drops.

270 West Beaver Creek Rd

Yu Seafood

With a focus on dim sum and two locations this year – one in Richmond Hill and the other inside Yorkdale Mall, Yu Seafood is reopening for indoor dining on Jan. 31 and also offering takeout for their special celebration feasts. You can choose to pre-order your meal, which includes a mighty King Crab and Lobster combo, perfect for a grand celebration.

94 Ossington Ave

Fat Choi

This Ossington strip restaurant is known for its creative plant-based alternatives, by the same group behind Soos, which focuses on Malaysian street food. The menu at both spots this weekend will feature Lo Hei, special for the New Year. Pre-ordering ahead of time is strongly recommended.

31 Main St N

Cho-Kwok-Lat

This patisserie and chocolaterie in Markham has created a special Lunar New Year cake available for pre-orders until Feb. 1. Celebrating the year of the Tiger with a chocolate tiger design, this cake is made with Madagascar vanilla mousse, cherry crémeux and lychee compote on a lime biscuit.

Mama Bombina

Taking orders until Jan. 28, for delivery on Feb. 1, Mama Bombina is offering a five-course set menu. Like always, the menu is dominantly vegetarian and incorporates the owner's Khmer roots. Find Buddha's Delight noodle soup, Steamed Fish and Orange Peanut Butter Cookies on the menu. DM or email to place your orders.

1543 Dupont St

ALMA+GIL

ALMA+GIL is offering two feasts for Lunar New Year, both comprised of dishes largely inspired by co-owner Chef Mandy Sou's grandmother. Their Celebration Feast out for delivery on Jan. 29-30 features dishes like Lo Hei the prosperity salad, Shrimp Lotus Leaf Rice and Tong Yuan. Meanwhile, their Dim Sum Feast that's available for delivery February 5 and 6 includes dishes like Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Pumpkin Congee and Radish Cakes. With a vegetarian option as well, feasts are available for bigger groups, but more importantly, solo diners. Skip the feast and treat yourself or your loved ones to one of their New Year boxes filled with radish cakes, peanut puffs and sesame shortbread, all made from scratch, a big nod towards the great Grandma Sou.

1661 Denison St T1

Chef 88 Elite

Operating an outdoor heated patio with indoor dining on the horizon, Chef 88 Elite is offering a ton of additional menu options for Lunar New Year. From extensive combo meals for up to ten people, to a whole new menu of side dishes including Pork Hock, Crispy Chicken and Braised Goose Feet, to signature New Year cakes, there's so many options to choose from.

567 College St

Kiss My Pans

Known for their luxury cheese grazing platters, Kiss My Pans has some special snacking bundles available. In your choice of either beautiful hand-painted tingkats or dim sum baskets, you can end up with one tasty package of cookies, fruit, nuts and more. Included in these are traditional snacks from Wai Tack Kee, which you can also find on their shelves during Lunar New Year.

9019 Bayview Ave Unit 9

The ONE Fusion Cuisine

This busy spot in Richmond Hill is known for their dim sum and wide selection of fresh seafood. Their exclusive and extensive Lunar New Year menu can be found on their website. It includes everything from traditional cakes to multi-course meal combos.

87 Thornmount Dr Unit 17

Wai Tack Kee

This family business makes traditional Chinese snacks by hand, most known for their festive treats like Lotus Blossom Cookies, Pineapple Cakes and peanut stuffed Sweet Dumplings. Right now, find their Lucky New Year box as well, filled with variety. Preparing goods all year round, you can order their snacks directly from them for pick up and find them at T&T year round.

9665 Bayview Ave

Yang's Fine Chinese Cuisine

This upscale Richmond Hill spot is offering a variety of traditional dishes available in big spreads for the New Year, some of which are pre-order only. From Poon Choi, to various family dinner combos with a multitude of savoury dishes, to a handful of different cakes like Osmanthus, Taro and Water Chestnut.

1042 Queen St E

Avling Brewery

Passionate Chef Eva Chin of Avling Kitchen & Brewery has created a pre-order only Lunar New Year menu that pairs Avling beer with her own innovative take on flavours from her childhood. A portion of Avling's Lunar New Year sales will be donated to the Asian Gold Ribbon Campaign.

Running from Feb. 1-9, if you miss out on this feast which includes dishes like Eight Treasure Congee, BC Wild Side Stripe Shrimp and Celeriac Toast and Steamed Ling Cod, every Saturday Avling hosts a retail market "Avling Marketplace." Here, they've got some festive favourites prepared by Chef Chin including Nian Gao, Bakkwa and house made Dumplings and Wontons.

3380 Midland Ave #11

Daan Go Cake Lab

Available from Jan. 29 to Feb. 15, Daan Go Cake Lab by MasterChef Canada Season 7 winner Christopher Siu, is creating two exclusive cakes. The first, a thick "fine gold" Gold Bar cake symbolizing prosperity. It's made with hojicha cremeux, passion fruit foam, pineapple mousse, yogurt mousse and vanilla chiffon. The second option, symbolizing good luck is their Dà Jí Dà Lì (大吉大利) cake, made with cognac orange gel, vanilla yogurt mousse, almond crunch and orange butter sponge.

108 Chestnut St

Lai Wah Heen

Lai Wah Heen is offering an eight course à la carte menu for dine-in and pre-order takeout beginning Jan. 28. On the menu are classic dishes including Braised Pork Hock, Braised Abalone and Crispy Chicken filled with glutinous rice. Other dishes on the menu year round like their two course Peking Duck, are also great for celebrations.

10 East Wilmot St Unit 9

dearDeer Baking and Pastry Lab

Designing two cakes special for Lunar New Year, dearDeer Baking and Pastry Lab in Richmond Hill already sold out of their Lucky Roll, red bean milk tea cream cake with mochi; however, you can still place your orders for their New Year Tiger cake. Made with mandarin oranges and honey yuzu cream, this chiffon cake has a simple and adorable tiger design, topped with a little orange fruit hat. Sold until Jan. 31, you'll want to DM or Wechat them to order.

195 Dundas St W

Hong Shing Chinese Restaurant

Hong Shing's Lunar New Year menu is available for pre-orders from Jan. 29 until Feb. 6. Paired with an exclusive baijiu-based cocktail, the offerings feature Imperial Crab Claws, Ginger Scallion Fried Cod and Prosperity Lobster.

484 Dundas St W

House of Gourmet

This downtown Chinatown spot, a favourite of actor Simu Liu, is offering specially curated dinner sets to help you celebrate the New Year. With options for two, four and six diners available, find favourites like Roasted Suckling Pig with Jellyfish, Twin Lobsters with Ginger and Onion and Pan-Fried E-Fu Noodles on the menus.

717 Queen St W

Nugateau Patisserie

Offering a custom collection of Éclairs with flavours exclusive to Lunar New Year, the box they come in is also a collectable, designed by local artist Jason Zante. Flavours include Red Bean, Taro and Oolong Vanilla. You can pre-order for pick up or delivery on their website beginning Ja.

Kopi Thyme and Simple Herbs

Two small businesses, Kopi Thyme specializing in South East Asian sauces and mother-daughter run Simple Herbs focusing on soup and tea mixes are coming together to offer a limited edition gift set for Lunar New Year, combining their most popular products. Even including recipe cards in each order, they're available for pick up in the GTA and also ship across Canada. With orders ready for pick-up between Jan. 28-30, you'll want to place yours soon.

503 College St

DaiLo

Offering a special one-day only tasting menu available for dine-in and takeout on Feb. 1, DaiLo is combining some of their most popular dishes with brand new menu additions to create this delectable experience. Only sold in pairs, the menu includes mouthwatering dishes like Red Braised Pork Belly, Lobster Longevity Noodles and Smoked Duck Siu Mai, not to mention their famous Big Mac Bao.

346 A Bloor St W

LA LA Bakeshop

Until Feb. 1, this modern Vietnamese bakery is decorating their Durian Supreme Cake with a beautiful red plum blossom design. Made using real durian, this cake has a castella base, stuffed with durian purée and is coated in creamy durian icing. You can request for their specific New Year design upon checkout on their website.

3300 Midland Ave Unit 32

Marathon Cafe

Internationally recognized for their award-winning Hong Kong-style milk tea, Marathon Cafe also has a full menu of traditional Cantonese dishes, both savoury and sweet available. Party trays aside, for Lunar New Year they're running an exclusive Poon Choi special, available for pre-order only.

3376 Kennedy Rd Unit 2

Oishiii Sweets

Oishiii Sweets released an extensive sweets line up for Lunar New Year. Available for in-store purchases or pre-orders online, these treats are almost too cute to eat. They've got meticulously decorated Zodiac Macarons and the most adorable sugar cookies with available designs that include Totoro and Friends, Lion Dance and Lucky Cat.

825 College St

The Night Baker

Back on their rotating lineup of cookies is The Night Baker's special Lunar New Year cookie – MOOchi. A black sesame milk cookie is stuffed with mochi that's made in house, making one soft, chewy and addicting treat that you'll feel obligated to order a whole box of, before they leave the menu.

146 Christie St

Good Behaviour Ice Cream

Released on Jan. 28, Good Behaviour is churning up their newest flavour that tastes "like our grandma used to make for us." Combining their popular custard-based ice cream with chrysanthemum, goji berries, dried longan and jujube to create Chinese Fruit Tea Ice Cream, taking a traditional tea and making it into a dessert instead.

19 Milliken Blvd

Yunnan Cross Bridge Rice Noodle

This family-owned spot in Scarborough specializes in Yunnan Province Crossing-The-Bridge rice noodles. Always offering large portion sizes, for Lunar New Year they're also selling traditional Poon Choi, available in a variety of different sizes.

443 King St W

SOMA Chocolatemaker

Beautiful and delicate, the idea to sell these Chocolate Raspberry Dumplings was motivated by the #VeryAsian movement online. Lush raspberry ganache is hugged by a layer of thin chocolate, acting as a wrapper to create this sweet treat.

The District Kitchen

Sambal

Currently popping up inside Square One Shopping Centre until Feb. 18, Sambal is creating a special Indonesian-Chinese meal package. This includes dishes like Ngohiong, Fishball Soup and Golden Fried Rice. Though they're based out of Square One right now, they're actually offering multiple pick up location options, which you can discover more about through messaging them on Instagram.

2370 Midland Ave Unit C9

Manzou Bakery

This family-owned bakery in Scarborough is known for their cakes, so naturally they've whipped up a special cake, Dà Jí Dà Lì (大吉大利), which is orange-flavoured for the New Year. Created with layers of orange and mascarpone cheese mousse, vanilla chiffon cake and orange jelly, this citrusy cake is made with real oranges and is only available for pre-order pick ups between Jan. 29 to Feb. 6.

Bathurst and Carville

Little Bakes of Kindness

Little Bakes of Kindness are known for their innovative bo lo bao (pineapple buns) made from scratch and their emphasis on giving back––donating 15 per cent of proceeds every month to a new cause. This time around, they're launching three new flavours––Salted Egg Yolk, Black Sesame Cream and Red Bean Paste are available in a set. you'll also be able to pre-order these for pick up at Auntie's Supply in Stackt Market on certain days.

Dynasty Centre Foodcourt

Great Fountain Fast Food

Offering a seemingly endless amount of dishes, the family-run Great Fountain Fast Food has put together multiple set menu options that incorporate a variety of their most popular dishes, allowing you to enjoy as many as possible with family and friends. Available beginning today, each set comes with rice, soup and drinks.