
Victoria Park
From February 11 at Crown, you can celebrate Lunar New Year by exploring the Zodiac Pillars, see the opening ceremony and check out ongoing lion dance performances. If you are looking for a meal to celebrate, Silks’ Lunar Banquet will provide you with an authentic dining experience, including a Prosperity Toss and a number of delicacies.
As Lunar New Year is seen as a season of giving and sharing, Sedap Place’s signature dishes are the perfect way to celebrate. Their Nasi Lemak 2 ‘Sedap’ 2 Share, which involves a selection of dishes (check out their Macha Curry Chicken which is cooked with 13 different authentic spice), is served up with a generous portion of fragrant coconut rice, house specialty sambal, signature Yummy Sauce, crispy fried anchovies, acar-acar, and peanuts.
South Perth
Asian inspired eatery and dumpling house, Miss Chow’s in South Perth, will be celebrating the Year of the Ox with a traditional lion dance performance on Saturday evening 20 February. Miss Chow’s owner, Jacquie Chan, says Lunar New Year is all about connecting with family and friends, traditionally over a banquet of festive treats.
“Here in Perth, everyone can celebrate the new lunar cycle – by watching the lion dance performances, admiring lantern installations across the city and enjoying a traditional banquet with your loved ones. My family and I love to get involved in all of the traditional Lunar New Year festivities! We decorate our home and restaurants with red decorations, dress in bright colours for the celebration, watch a lion dance performance, share wealth with our loved ones, and – of course – enjoy a traditional feast together.”
One of Como’s best kept secrets, Golden Mile on Preston Street is a friendly, family owned Chinese restaurant that has been a favourite among locals for years. A sense of nostalgia can be felt as soon as you walk in the door, with warm service and all the traditional Chinese favourites you know and love on offer.
Vincent
Local resident and Northbridge Commoner, Kat Horney says “My absolute favourite part of the Lunar New Year festival has to be the Chung Wah Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe; the sound of the drums can be heard as they snake their way through the streets, and even on occasion, through the aisles of shops and green grocers. I love watching the talented dancers bring these magical creatures to life, and the excitement and hesitation across on-lookers’ faces as they are approached for a pat on the head or to feed the dragon a red envelope, called a Hong Bao.
For lunch, I’ll be heading to my number one Vietnamese joint, Thanh Dat for their absolutely-freaking-delicious-fall-off-the-bone beef short-rib or oxtail Pho and a fresh sugar cane juice to get me hydrated and ready for a hot and busy day of celebrating... From here, I’ll definitely wander up to Golden Gates Asian Gifts at 433 William Street to see what stunning and ever-festive wares Trần Thị Nga has on display. After checking out what’s happening in Washing Lane, I’ll be sure to finish off the day with a visit to Hey! I am Yogost for a Purple Rice Yoghurt.”
Perth
For Luna New Year, Perth will be brimming with Chinese New Year festivities and authentic experiences. Je Nie Chong, Honorary Secretary of The Chung Wah Association, says “One of the favourite parts of Chinese New Year is the family reunion dinner, which happens on Chinese New Year's Eve. All members of the family return home to enjoy a sumptuous feast, which can include dumplings, whole fish, chicken, noodles and Yee Sang. Yee Sang is a popular Cantonese-style salad with raw fish.”
Authentic Bites Dumpling House and their juicy offering can be found in Northbridge and Underground at Allendale Square on St Georges Tce. Dumplings are a must have over Chinese New Year for their symbolism of wealth, given they’re shaped like ingots (money used in ancient China). Their xiao long bao, which is a delicate steamed dumpling filled with pork and soup is to die for.
If you’re after a hotpot experience without the hassle of preparing it yourself, Kung Fu Kitchen on Newcastle St is your pick. For a mere $14.50, you get a mini hot pot with broth and spice level of your choice, four veges and two meats/seafood (or go full vego).