Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2021

Lunar New Year begins February 12th this year. This widely celebrated holiday, also frequently referred to as “Chinese New Year,” is celebrated across the world in many Asian communities, including Vietnamese, Korean, Tibetan, Ryokan, and Mongolian communities. Like many Asian holidays, sharing a meal with friends and family is a central part of Lunar New Year. So, where can you celebrate the Year of the Ox in Cincinnati? Whether you’re (safely) swapping red envelopes with friends and family or enjoying takeout over Zoom, Asianati has your list of Lunar New Year dishes and specials in the Tri-State.

Dayou International Market

Through February 17th, Dayou is offering special gifts with purchase and a red envelope wall with chances to win gift cards, whole roast ducks, and more. Customers with purchases over $50 will receive a pack of customized red envelopes while supplies last. Purchases over $100 will get you a chance to pick a red envelope from their red envelope wall.

Dayou International Market - 9604 S Mason Montgomery Rd, Mason, OH 45040

Francis International Market

If you’re looking for Bánh chưng and Bánh tét, this modest but jam-packed Asian market in Northside has you covered. Francis reassured us that she ordered plenty of the classic Vietnamese sticky rice and mung bean cakes for the weekend.

Francis International Market - 4410 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223

Grand Oriental

Grand Oriental will be offering special Lunar New Year dishes all weekend (February 12-14). Stop by the restaurant to check out the full menu. Limited availability for certain dishes.

Grand Oriental - 4800 Fields Ertel Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249

Midwest USA Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Instead of one big night of celebration, Midwest USA Chinese Chamber of Commerce is celebrating nightly through February 27, the day after the Lantern Festival and the end of the Spring Festival celebration.

Each day on the Lunar Calendar in Asia during the Sprint Festival has its special meaning. Each night of celebration, hear from guest speakers on their thoughts and ideas about US China relationship and how businesses and our community may benefit from a healthy bilateral relationship. Learn about the culture, the tradition, while enjoying family style authentic cooking from Uncle Yip's. Sign up at www.china-midwest.com/events

Midwest USA Chinese Chamber of Commerce, 3 East 4th Street, Suite 100, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Mochiko

The Asian-American pop-up shop, which serves ramen, bread, and pastries, will be offering two specials:

• Lychee and Raspberry Mousse Cake - layers of black sesame sponge cake topped with a black sesame macaron and packaged in a golden box.
• Chuka Soba Ramen Kit - Chuka soba, or “Chinese soba,” is the oldest version of ramen and directly inspired by Chinese noodle soups. The ramen kit includes a soup made from pork, chicken and fish, pork chashu, egg, menma, nori, and house-made noodles.

The ramen kits and mousse cake will be available for purchase Tuesday starting at 2:00 PM for pickup at their kitchen in Newport, KY on Thursday from 4-6 PM.

Mochiko - 517 W. 7th St, Newport KY

Oriental Wok

While Oriental Wok won’t be throwing their epic gala this year, this classic Chinese restaurant will be serving dine-in only specials and a traditional Lunar New Year carryout meal for four February 9th-12th and again February 14th-19th. Dine-in only specials including whole fish,roast duck, and crispy spring chicken. Call 513-871-6888 to order the Chinese New Year promo. The carryout dinner for 4 is $68 and includes the following (no substitutions, please)

• Spring Rolls
• Steamed Dumplings
• Egg Drop Soup
• Sesame Chicken
• Wok-Stir-Fried Grouper
• Cumin Sichuan Beef
• Vegetable Longevity Noodles
• Fried and White Rice
• Almond Cookies

Oriental Wok - Ft. Mitchell, 317 Buttermilk Pike, Lakeside Park, KY 41017;
Oriental Wok - Hyde Park, 2444 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45208

Pho Lang Thang and Quan Hapa

Feeling lucky? The Lang Thang Group's Over-The-Rhine restaurants are celebrating Tết by selling Chúc Mừng Năm Mới red envelopes. Purchase four envelopes for $4. Friday only, every dine-in and carryout order will receive a lì xì with a special surprise inside.

Pho Lang Thang - 1828 Race St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
Quan Hapa - 1331 Vine St Cincinnati, OH 45202

Queens Bakery

Queens Bakery, which specializes in Chinese cakes, breads, and bubble teas, will be carrying Lunar New Year Special Cake through February 26th. The cake is decorated with lucky cats, fans, and stickers representing happiness, luck, wealth, and health. Order vanilla or chocolate cake with strawberry, mango, or both fillings in 6", 8", or 10". Order through *Facebook, Instagram, in-store or call (513) 680-6740. Available for same-day pick up.

Queens Bakery, 4770 Fields Ertel Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249

Sago

Sago is offering a special six-course dinner all month long. The Lunar New Year feast, which feeds four to five people for $168, will be available for takeout on February 12th and 13th. For dine-in, two spots will be available each night at 5:00 and 7:30 PM through the entire month of February. Dine-in reservations must be made one week in advance — call (513) 321-0982 or email paul@citrusandsago.com to place your order or reservation.

• Course 1: Four Seasons — Salmon Seaweed Salad, Steamed Shrimp Har Kow, Steamed Oysters, and Vegetarian Goose
• Course 2: Sweet and Sour Tilapia
• Course 3: Pork Shank
• Course 4: Roast Duck
• Course 5: Loh Hon Chai
• Course 6: Longevity Noodles

Sago, 1004 Delta Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208

Tea n Bowl

Tea n Bowl will be offering a special traditional Lunar New Year menu February 10th through 17th. Many of the items are limited quantity and specially prepared for Lunar New Year. Dishes include live seafood, Braised Black Mushroom with Bok Choy, Stir-Fried Rice Cake with Xo Sauce, Crispy Prawn with Salted Egg Yolk, and Barbecued Cumin Lamb. Call (513) 744-9800 to place your order.

Tea n Bowl, 211 W. McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219

Top Image: Lunar New Year Traditions.
Photo: JP Leong