The Lunar New Year, dedicated to the Snake, will start on January 29. This year, the Chinese zodiac animal represents wisdom and cunning, which are essential for overcoming life’s obstacles. Here’s where to discover this festival and its flavors in Rome.
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Dao Restaurant by Jianguo Shu
This Chinese restaurant is holding a special dinner on the evening of Tuesday, February 28. To celebrate the arrival of the New Year, Chef Xue Denglong, who is of Cantonese descent, will create a menu featuring specialties from his homeland.
The New Year’s menu includes a few delicious appetizers, including Bi Lu Juan – Chinese herb-spiced cannelloni filled with bamboo and pork – and stuffed fermant red rice dumplings – Jiaozi Special – accompanied by a welcome glass. After whetting the appetite, the evening continues with main courses, with both seafood and meat options.
A must-try is the Long Zaifan, sautéed rice with marinated pork and crispy shrimp, perfect for those craving a mix of sea and land flavors. For the more refined, we find the Shang Tang Long Xia – or lobster with bisque – served with San Yao (potatoes) and seaweed. Unmissable, Peking duck, which will make an appearance on diners’ tables. The Oriental dining experience will end with a special dessert, Si Se Tangyuan, or glutinous rice balls in four different flavors.
Where: 328/330 Jonio Avenue. Price: 65 euros excluding drinks.
The party at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
In Rome, usually, Chinese New Year is celebrated in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, in the Esquilino (where a large Chinese community has lived for years). This year’s festivities will be held Feb. 7-9 with cultural and culinary performances and a lively dragon parade. Expect to enjoy Chinese dishes and learn about China’s culture and traditions from the gazebos in attendance. Here is the schedule for the weekend:
- in Vittorio Emanuele II Square on Feb. 7, 2024 with cultural and culinary performances from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- in Vittorio Emanuele II Square on Feb. 9, 2024 at 10 a.m. the dragon parade and lion dances (will cross Manzoni Avenue and Prince Eugene Street); at 1 p.m. the Chinese Ambassador will kick off the Ceremony; video of the Chinese New Year celebration with wonderful performances will be broadcast; participants will be able to taste typical dishes; the event will end at 10 p.m.
Dinner at Oolong’s
Another restaurant offering an incredible menu for this Chinese New Year is definitely Oolong. At this Chinese fine dining venue, you can find haute oriental cuisine, with a traditional menu but with a chic twist.
The evening begins with a Money pocket and Butterfly Shrimp Tempura, accompanied by a glass of Zaza’ Shanghai (Champagne and Aloe), and then “Touch the Heart” – and the stomach – with a selection of homemade Dim Sum. This is followed by a winter melon soup with spicy chicken meatballs, as per tradition.
Meat lovers will be able to satisfy their cravings by enjoying a slow-cooked piglet in the crock with typical Oiukui vegetables, while those who prefer a seafood New Year’s Eve will find it impossible to resist the crab and caviar rice dumplings. The evening will end with a glass of Franciacorta Brut at midnight, accompanying one of the desserts from the New Year’s Eve selection, according to ancient tradition.
Where: 39/40 Piazza S. Paolo alla Regola. Price: 95€
Tet at Thien Kim Roof Garden
In addition to China, Lunar New Year is celebrated by other nations that use a similar lunar calendar or have a strong Chinese community within them. Vietnam is one of those, where the Lunar New Year is called Tết. If you have never tried Vietnamese cuisine, this holiday is a good excuse to do so, and we recommend Roof Garden “Thien Kim.” Rice features heavily in Vietnamese cuisine, as do dumplings of various kinds, and you certainly can’t miss a touch of spiciness in every dish.
Where: Via Cassia 927/M. Price: variable
Igio’s for Sollal
Just as in Vietnam, South Korea celebrates the New Year, known here as Sollal. For an authentic experience, we recommend you try Igio restaurant where you will find traditional dishes. From Hansik to Kimchibokkum Bap, the choice is wide and meatless options are also available. Last year, an ad hoc menu had also been created for Sollal!
Where: Via Roma Libera, 26. Price: variable