Happy Lunar New Year! This festive 15-day celebration marks the beginning of the lunisolar Chinese calendar and is observed across many Asian cultures. During this time, communities gather to sing and dance, light lanterns and fireworks, and eat symbolic foods together. Whether you’re cooking at home with family or celebrating potluck-style with friends, here are some traditional food—and local Seattle restaurants—to bring good fortune to your table.
Mee Sum Pastry
This family-run establishment in the U District and Pike Place Market is famous for their savory meat buns, mooncakes, and assortment of authentic Chinese baked goods. For Lunar New Year, they bake extra batches of red bean pastries and nian gao, a customary sweet, sticky rice cake eaten during the holiday to symbolize prosperity and growth. Nian gao makes an excellent gift or addition to family dinner—just be sure to place your order in advance. Mee Sum Pastry’s Lunar New Year offerings are so popular they often sell out.
Xi’an Noodles
Longevity noodles are a hallmark Lunar New Year dish, and Xi’an Noodles offers some of the best starchy strands in town. Their hand-ripped noodles are made biang biang–style—extra thick, ultra-chewy, and packed with bold, savory flavor. The spicy cumin lamb version is a standout! Order alongside garlic noodle salad, and slurp your way to a long, happy life.
Jade Garden
Dim sum is one of the most beloved Chinese dining traditions, featuring shareable family-style plates ranging from dumplings to meats and seafood. Jade Garden offers a time-honored dim sum experience in the heart of the International District. Order Lunar New Year staples like dumplings and steamed buns, or go all out with the whole Peking duck. Ducks symbolize fidelity in Chinese culture, and whole foods bring in good luck while representing a rich, abundant year ahead.
Tai Tung
Tai Tung is Seattle’s oldest—and perhaps most well-known—Chinese restaurant. They opened their doors in 1935, and the family-operated establishment has been passed down from generation to generation ever since. Bruce Lee was famously a regular, always sitting at the same corner table—his favorite dishes were oyster sauce beef and garlic shrimp. Tai Tung offers Lunar New Year specialties like bean cake, sweet & sour pork, chow mein, and family style dinner combinations for under $25 per person.
Lunar New Year at Metropolitan Market
We’ll be celebrating deliciously at all our stores! In the prepared foods department, you’ll find dumplings, bao (steamed buns), spring rolls, chili garlic noodles, Mandarin noodle salad, and more to take home for your festivities. Our bakery will also be crafting beautifully decorated Lunar New Year Lychee Rose Cake. Circles represent a complete year and bring luck to the table—so cake your way to good fortune!
Wishing You a Prosperous New Year
Shop for all your Lunar New Year ingredients and festive foods online for easy pickup or delivery.