Celebrate the Chinese New Year with your taste buds as we round up all the best food related events taking place as part of the Lunar New Year festivals in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
Sydney Chinese New Year Festival
Sydney’s Chinese New Year festival will see a whole host of foodie events taking place across the city.
From the 6th to 21st February Sydney’s top restaurants are offering Lunar Feasts, a range of tempting Asian-inspired set price menus. Whether you’re craving dumplings or eager for a Chinese banquet you’ll find Chinese New Year inspired menus across a range of the city’s eateries. Find a list of Lunar Feasts participating restaurants here.
The Lunar Markets will return for the Year of the Monkey. Image by Christopher Pearce via Sydney Morning Herald
From the 4th to the 14th February you’ll find lanterns, live music and pop up food stalls at The Star Sydney’s Lunar Markets. This food festival will feature sumptuous Asian treats from the likes of Bao Stop, Poklol, The Star Sydney’s Fat Noodle and The Century plus outdoor bars where you can soak up the celebratory atmosphere.
Sydney Lunar Markets. Image by Fairfax Media via City of Sydney
For a more traditional Chinese experience why not sign up for a degustation-style tea tasting paired with Yum Cha? Zensation Tea House in Redfern are running this special event, which will teach you how to appreciate the various incarnations of tea, from green to oolong, whilst sampling a range of Yum Cha favourites. Zensation’s Raymond Leung will also demonstrate Chinese brush calligraphy and a live Chinese musician will be performing with traditional instruments, so you might come away with new skills as well as a satisfied stomach! Tickets cost $50 per person and more information can be found here.
Zensation Tea House. Image via Facebook
If you’re looking for something a little sweeter then the Shangri-La’s Chinese Fusion High Tea is the event for you! From the 6th to 13th February Shangri-La Sydney’s famous pasty chef Anna Polyviou will be adding an Asian twist to the high tea menu found in the lobby lounge. Also during the festival the hotel’s Café Mix will be serving a Chinese New Year Buffet featuring a cold suckling pig and a pancake station. Round up your friends for this one, as for every booking of 4 one person will eat free. Usual price is 85AUD per person. Click here for more information.
BrisAsia Festival
In Brisbane the BrisAsia Festival will feature 3 weeks of Asian style markets on the Chinatown Mall. As well as food stalls you’ll find dance and music performances, fire crackers, lion dances and a parade on Friday 12th February. Find a full list of events here.
BrisAsia Festival. Image via What’s On Brisbane on Facebook
Perth Chinese New Year Fair
In Perth a colourful street carnival will take over Northbridge Piazza and surrounding areas on Sunday 14th February for the Perth Chinese New Year Fair. Cultural demonstrations and performances will be interspersed with over 100 food, craft and produce stalls.
Gong Xi Fa Cai!!
