The Ultimate Guide to Lunar New Year in Los Angeles

The best ways to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, from luxurious dinners to street fairs and retail therapy.

Lunar New Year is one of the most authoritative solemnization across Asia and the Asiatic diaspora . This centuries - old holiday is a fourth dimension for category of many East and southeasterly Asiatic cultures to assemble , fiesta on traditional foods , give red envelopes stuff with money , and usher in a new twelvemonth of successfulness and secure fortune .

This year , the festivities kick off on January 22 . To welcome the Year of the Rabbit , we ’ve gathered 18 ways you could lionise in Los Angeles — from watching flying lizard parades to share a special meal with your loved ones .

Where to dine out

Lunar New Year celebrations are often dominate by gravid feasts as families come in together . Every acculturation has its prosperous nutrient — Formosan families serve a whole chicken to mean unity , Korean tteokguk ( Elmer Rice bar soup ) symbolizes length of service , Vietnamese bánh tét ( awkward Timothy Miles Bindon Rice patty ) prognosticate luck — many of which you ’ll find on these LNY menus .

Crustacean

Beverly HillsFrom Jan 21 - 28 , this fabled Beverly Hills habitue is dish up up a Heaven & Earth Prosperity prix - fixe menu . For $ 180 you ’ll meet eight course of instruction , ranging from rabbit dumpling in laurels of the Year of the Rabbit to break / chef Helene An ’s famed roasted crab and garlic bonce ( topped with edible 24 - karat gold for LNY ) to represent length of service and wealthiness . On Jan 21 , diner will also enjoy a Leo the Lion dance , favorable red envelopes , eatable artistic production , and more entertainment as part of the restaurant ’s celebratory kickoff . How to book : Reservations available through theirwebsite .

Bistro Na’s

Temple CityBistro Na ’s specify in Chinese royal court food for thought — meaning they employ a cooking expressive style once book for the emperor that make this furor - fave destination worth the splurge for a special social occasion . From Jan 21 - Feb 5 , Bistro Na ’s is offering five do Lunar New Year menus ( get down at $ 336 ) for radical of two , four , six , or 10 , with dish that feature some of the most value delicacies , such as braise abalone and sea Cucumis sativus . How to book : Call 626 - 286 - 1999 to make a reservation .

Merois

West HollywoodLocated on the Pendry hotel rooftop , Merois is one of Wolfgang Puck ’s latest plus to LA ’s culinary scene . From Jan 27 - 28 , they ’re memorialise the Year of the Rabbit with a $ 165 prix - fixe menu , which stars the celebrated chef ’s signature Asian - root on flavors with a king Cancer bao bun , star - anise - braised short rib , and barrel - aged shameful cod . Even well , your repast will fall with unrecorded amusement and stunning Sunset Boulevard views . How to hold : reservation uncommitted throughSevenRooms .

Paradise Dynasty

Costa MesaWhile Paradise Dynasty ( the first U.S. outpost of a successful Singapore chain ) is actually located in Orange County , its Lunar New Year menu is deserving the trek . From January 16 – February 12 , the eating house ’s serving its take on pop Chinese specialties to rust during the vacation — from splash - fried lobster ( $ 78.88 ) to black - truffle - poach poulet ( start up at $ 38.88 ) and steam clean abalone ( $ 13.88 ) . Prices terminate in “ 88 ” as the routine eight is a symbol of fortune and good luck in Chinese culture . They ’ll also be throw out flushed envelopes with restaurant vouchers , while supplies last . How to reserve : Reservations available throughOpenTable .

Kato

nontextual matter DistrictChef Jon Yao is host a nine class dinner party series over five night from January 24–28 at his celebrated tasting computer menu restaurant at ROW DTLA , but he is n’t hosting it alone — the team at Kato is also welcoming in two guest chefs , Chef Tam Debhakam of Bangkok’sBaan Tepaand Chef Calvin Eng ofBonnie’sin Brooklyn . Each chef will plate three courses inspired by the Lunar New Year knockout and custom of their childhood , bring their own unique position and personal chronicle to the multi - course repast . The $ 325 also includes a wine or non - alcohol-dependent drinkable pairing to go with it . How to book : Reservations available throughResy .

Where to order takeout

Do n’t feel like cook for the vacation ? Fortunately for you , some of Los Angeles ’s best eatery are offering take - home packages .

RiceBox

DowntownCantonese favorite RiceBox is offering two Lunar New Year special . Its illustrious baked crybaby — a whole bird stuff with abalone , dried shiitake mushrooms , dried scallop , and more that ask hours of punctilious preparation by chef / owner Leo Lee — is uncommitted for $ 128 for pickup arm on January 20 . If you ’re hankering for a different type of bird , they ’ve also vex a wry - aged duck serve with caviar from AAPI - ownedAstrea , usable for $ 268 for pickup truck on January 21.How to order:Emailriceboxla@gmail.comor send a unmediated message via Instagram at@riceboxla .

Open Market

KoreatownSince possibility in 2021,Open mart — a neighborhood market , coffee shop , and wine shop class beloved for its sandwich — has spotlight Los Angeles ’s deep cultural landscape through its food . Now they ’re wander that theme into an LNY dinner drop , starting at $ 90 . Their take on Peking duck explores the product between LA ’s Chinese and Mexican immigrant populations with a whole duck falsify in multiple ways , including a dry - cured breast and confit leg , accompanied by fermented salsa , Mejorado tortillas , and other sides . For afters , there ’s five - spice - flavor tres letch cake soaked in black forbidden Elmer Leopold Rice horchata . How to order : Order for pickup on Jan 26 through theirwebsite .

Seoul Sausage

Echo ParkIn collaborationism with fellow Korean - owned businesses like MDK Noodles , Lucky Rice Cake , and Loaf Language , Seoul Sausage ’s delicious Seollal kit ( $ 69.99 for two mass ) include tteokguk , dumplings , bulgogi udon , an array of banchan , black sesame macarons , and more . How to order : society for pick-me-up on Jan 20 through theirwebsite .

Where to satisfy your sweet tooth

Because no sumptuous feast is complete without sweet , check out these sweet treats for a sweet year from some of LA ’s most beloved bakery .

Sprinkles

Multiple locationsLA ’s go - to cupcake purveyor Sprinkles is teaming up withGold House , a nonprofit collective of Asian and Pacific Islander leaders , on a confine - edition Gold Bunny cupcake ( $ 6 ) . For its first - ever LNY cosmos , Sprinkles is pay court to the almond cooky traditionally gifted during this time of year with an almond - studded crimson velvet cake sandwich between almond cream tall mallow frost and an almond cookie insolence . The cupcake will also be a part of the Lunar New Year Red Box ( $ 88 ) , which includes other best - selling treats and crimson envelope design by a Gold House artist . How to order : Holy Order theGold BunnyorLunar New Year Red Boxfor local manner of speaking or in - store pickup from Jan 16 - 29 .

Go Cakes

San MarinoNo one does artful pastry dough , cakes , and confections like Stephanie Fong ofGo Cakes . Although the skilled baker has always specialized in Asiatic desserts , she ’s admit it up a mountain pass for the Year of the Rabbit . Her attractively crafted Lunar New Year goody incorporated elements that are familiar in Asiatic cuisine — such as Sichuan peppercorn — but rarely used in afters . For the holiday , she ’s selling a set of four delicate dessert ( $ 68 ) and an orangish mandarin cream puff tower ( $ 88).How to dictate : commit an orderfor getaway on Jan 20 - 24 .

MIL Bakery

KoreatownThe Korean - American pastry dough chef behind MIL Bakery , Loaf Language , Ah . Nuk , and Kin Bakeshop are collaborate on an outstanding Seollal pastry set ( $ 48 ) . Inside the box , you ’ll receive six treats — including a brioche donut lug with Korean pear tree jam fill , a persimmon yakgwa ( a traditional , deep - electrocute Korean biscuit ) , and a roasted sweet white potato buttercream macaron — all of which reflect a clearly Korean - American identity . How to rank : Place an orderfor pickup on Jan 22 .

What to do

Whether you require to overtake a Leo dance or discover how to make a traditional treat , there ’s plenty to do for Lunar New Year .

Learn how to make a traditional dessert

slight TokyoLunar New Year foods are rich with symbolization , and Formosan tang yuan — chewy glutinous rice ball — are no exception . Served apparently or fill up , these dumpling lay out togetherness and the assemblage of family . Now you’re able to learn how to make them , thanks to a dessert shop hosted by the mother - and - daughter distich behindGu Grocery , a neighborhood market concept , andRooted Fare , an LA - based small clientele . During class on Jan 28 , you ’ll make ( and exhaust ! ) dark - benne - stuffed tang yuan . How to serve : Sign up for the class via theirwebsite .

Ring in Lunar New Year at the racetrack

Santa AnitaHoof it over to Santa Anita Park on Jan 22 , the first day of Lunar New Year , for a celebration hosted by the Diamond 100 Racing Club . When you ’re not wager on your best-loved maria , take in all the festivities : a blessing ceremony , costume parade , game booths , flying lizard and lion dances , two stage of singing and dancing , and a money tree , where red parcel giveaway ( include one that will comprise $ 5,000 ) await . The daylight will culminate in the Lunar New Year Cup competition , so if you ’re feeling the lunar fortune , aim your best stake . How to attend : Purchase a tag on theirwebsite .

Catch a dragon parade in Chinatown

ChinatownOn January 28 from 12 - 6 pm , LA Chinatown ’s Chinese New Year Festival is a spanking celebration with food for thought motortruck , cunning vendors , eat competitions , and cultural workshops boast Chinese seal of approval carving and calligraphy . But the main attraction for the thousands of spectator begins at 1 pm , when the yearly Golden Dragon Parade start out its procession down North Broadway — a display of lion dance and other performances from marching bands , dance troupes , and music groups . How to advert : While this event is free and open to the public , limited grandstand VIP seats is available for purchasehere .

Check out a street festival in Alhambra

AlhambraOn Jan 29 from 9 am – 6 phase modulation , this family - friendly street festival take over part of downtown Alhambra ’s Main Street . You ’ll find out two stages : one dedicated to performances and expo , including a lion dancing , chirography education , and cultural dance from China , Korea , Vietnam , Japan , and more , and a culinary leg for cooking demo of traditional Asiatic dishes . While you ’re there , explore more than 100 booths proffer giveaways and activities . How to hang : Free and exposed to the public .

Take the kids to the zoo

Griffith ParkNow through Jan 22 , the L.A. Zoo ’s marking the Year of the Rabbit with a slating of kid - favorable programming , including a Wall of Well Wishes to share hope for the unexampled year and Chinese - zodiac - themed arts and cunning . Every Friday , Saturday , and Sunday dark , L.A. Zoo Lights will also showcase cultural performances — including kung fu and acrobatics , fan terpsichore , tartar parades , and Formosan calligraphy demos — while Asian food trucks serve up delicious bit . How to attend : Lunar New Year body process are included with zoo admission . Tickets uncommitted through theirwebsite .

Where to shop

One of the previous Lunar New Year traditions call option for buying novel clothes before the new yr for represent fresh offset and hopes , so go on and commemorate the vacation with a touch of retail therapy .

The Americana at Brand

GlendaleNow through Jan 31 , several retailers at The Americana at Brand — like Nordstrom and See Eyewear — are offeringexclusive special and discountsin accolade of the holiday . Plus , on Jan 29 from 2 - 5 pm , visitor will enjoy a festive Leo and dragon dance parade . The Americana ’s babe prop , The Grove , is also fete the Year of the Rabbit withpromotionsfrom the property ’s store and restaurants .

Blossom Market Hall

San GabrielOn Jan 21 from 11 am-6 necropsy , Blossom Market Hall will host a Lunar New Year pop - up have trade good by local AAPI makers . When you ’re not browsing through all the bangle available for leverage , regale yourself to food and drinks from thefood hall ’s vendors . Asian - inspired coffee tree purveyor AK Fresh Roast will reach out blood-red envelopes with an offer inside , while beer / wine-colored bar Angel & Mason will serve a peculiar holiday beverage .

MAUM Market

North HollywoodNot only is MAUM Market celebrating its one - class anniversary on January 22 , it ’s also hosting aninaugural LNY eventafter being tap by the City of LA ’s Department of Cultural Affairs . Created to showcase local Asian - own brands and small byplay , the turn out foxiness fair will toss off up at the historical Lankershim Arts Center from 11 am-3 necropsy . entrance is gratuitous to shop a curated edit of 28 AAPI makers and check over out kid ’ activities , food trucks , photo ops , and more .