A new year, a new taste of Chinatown: Coming together again this Lunar New Year

Chinatown London is the destination to experience Lunar New Year in London this 2023 – the Year of the Rabbit – together with friends and family. It’s a special year, with the rabbit considered the luckiest of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, and it’s the first time London has been able to celebrate properly since the pandemic, so it’s worth marking in style. With that in mind, here are some useful insights ahead of the date.

The Year of the Rabbit

According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the Year of the Rabbit usually have soft and tender personality traits. They keep a modest attitude and maintain a pleasant relationship with people around them – much like the Chinatown London community. 

In Chinese culture, the rabbit has the unique characteristic of waiting for an opportune moment and then leaping into action. With London’s West End now almost back to the “old normal”, the festival is following the nature of the rabbit as it welcomes back traditional celebrations in London, embracing togetherness. (Fun fact: “to” in English is how the Chinese for rabbit – 兔 – is pronounced.)

Lunar New Year in London’s Chinatown

Chinatown has a rich history, a community-driven atmosphere and vast selection of shops and eateries with offerings from all over East and South East Asia. It is both a place for the ESEA community to connect to their heritage and a chance for visitors to strengthen cross-cultural connections – whether from a region of China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines or anywhere else. It’s a great place to gather for the occasion as the community is all about giving, sharing and, most importantly, coming together.

Eating together

Reuniting with family and friends over a feast is central to Lunar New Year festivities. Many restaurants in Chinatown London will be serving special dishes over the period, each with their own traditional symbolism, as well as limited-edition creations. Here are a few top picks.

Tangyuan

The tangyuan or “soup ball” is associated with reunion and family togetherness. This is a celebratory dish, particularly popular in Southern China, and is made from glutinous rice flour and served in boiling water or sweet syrup, with many fillings, sweet and savoury. Revellers can try it for themselves at Pretty March in Chinatown’s Dessert Alley or choose from a selection of flavours at See Woo Supermarket to enjoy at home with loved ones. 

Lobster

A popular delicacy for new year family feasts, lobster is a staple dish. In Chinese culture, lobsters are thought to resemble dragons, which are a significant symbol during the festivities. When cooked, they turn red, which is known as the colour of luck. Plum Valley have delicious braised lobster with ginger and spring onions, or there’s fresh steamed lobster to savour at Lotus Garden. 

Jiaozi dumplings 

In Northern China, dumplings are traditionally eaten on the eve of Lunar New Year, however most people enjoy this comforting dish throughout the month. It is believed that the more dumplings one eats during the festive season, the more money one will make that year. Jiaozi dumplings are considered to be especially lucky due to their boat-like shape resembling Chinese ingots. Friends can chow down some delicious examples at Dumplings’ Legend, Tao Tao Ju or Orient London – this is the perfect dish to share!

Nian Gao

Nian Gao (also known as Chinese New Year cake) symbolises progress, advancement and growth. Chinese families will buy or make this treat for their new year celebrations in the hopes of having a good year ahead. It’s also a popular gift to give when visiting family and friends. This sweet treat can be found at the Chinatown Bakery. 

Chicken

Chicken is a homonym in Chinese: the word for “chicken” sounds the same as the word for “prosperity”. As such, chicken dishes are very popular and are usually served on the eve of Lunar New Year for dinner (one of the most important meals over the fortnight’s celebrations). Four Season’s whole soya chicken is a must.

Yu Sheng

A unique “lucky” staple of the Malaysian celebrations, Yu Sheng salad is a symbolic sharing dish to bring longevity, peace and prosperity. The ritual of eating Yu Sheng is very important in itself: families and friends gather around the dining table and toss the ingredients into the air with chopsticks, whilst shouting out auspicious wishes to usher in prosperity for the New Year. Diners can sit down at Rasa Sayang to experience this fresh, vibrant dish.

Whole fish

Traditionally the centrepiece of the table and eaten across Chinatown London during the festivities, fish symbolises an increase in prosperity. When served, the fish should be placed with the head facing towards the distinguished guests. Jin Li serves a delectable whole steamed sea bass with ginger, spring onions and black bean sauce. 

Noodles

Noodles are a staple of all Chinese diets, but at Lunar New Year they get a little bit, well, longer! Longevity noodles are considered the key to a long and healthy life. Kung Fu Noodle is the first live hand-pulled noodle concept in Chinatown London, and offers a menu of moreish noodle soups and dishes from Gansu province in Northwest China.  

Experiencing together

As well as traditional and modern eateries, there are a selection of activities to make the most of a full day making merry in Chinatown London. 

Shopping

Chinatown London is also a destination for shopping, whether one is looking for ingredients to cook those Lunar New Year dishes, gifts for loved ones or just browsing the expansive offerings of ESEA culture.

New Loon Moon sells over 4,000 types of humble ESEA delights including foods from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and everywhere between. Oseyo brings a little slice of Korea to the heart of London. Whilst it’s the perfect place to stock up on Korean culinary essentials, shoppers also find talking rice cookers, K-pop, stationery, accessories and K-beauty favourites.

Bars

Why not toast the occasion with a cocktail? Yatay Zoku serves up a creative drinks menu with a Japanese influence, whilst Opium offers theatrical, luxurious tipples. There are late-night parties upstairs at Speedboat Bar with a selection of cocktails, whisky sodas and chasers (shots) that patrons can enjoy whilst shooting a game of pool. 

Karaoke

For a less traditional celebration this Chinese New Year, friends could get together for an evening of singalongs at one of Chinatown’s underground karaoke spots. Karaoke is a very popular leisure activity in many Asian cultures, and there are plenty of options in the London area, including Wing Wing, who take group bookings for up to ten people.

Happy New Year – or, as the Chinese say, Xin nian kuai le! (in Mandarin) or Sun nin faai lok! (in Cantonese)! 

The food desk