Pig stencilled macarons, chocolate piggy banks and bacon topped bourbon cocktails included
Each year on the first day of Chinese New Year, usually somewhere between January 21 and February 20, London lights up to celebrate the Spring Festival. This year the festivities kick off on Tuesday February 5, initiating the Year of the Pig with colourful lanterns, martial arts, dragon dances and food trucks. But if you don’t fancy facing the crowds, we’ve listed some alternative locations to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Yauatcha
Launching an 8-course menu, Yauatcha is celebrating the Year of the Pig with a number of authentic Chinese dishes such as homemade prawn tofu with seaweed and water chestnut, Peking style pulled pork with golden mantou and a Mandarin matcha choux. To get you in the festive spirit, both the City and Soho restaurant will feature customised decorations inspired by the zodiac sign (be prepared to see some red and gold pigs dangling from the ceiling) and will also serve celebratory Nagami Fortune cocktails and pig stencilled macarons.
Menu will be served from January 28 until February 24, £60 per person for a minimum of 2 guests. Visit yauatcha.com for reservations.
Hutong
Situated on the 33rd floor of The Shard, Hutong is honouring the Spring Festival with an extensive festive menu. Serving go-to Chinese dishes such as wok-fried choy sum, pickled vegetable fried rice and pork wonton in homemade chilli sauce as well as some entertaining specials like the Hutong chocolate ‘piggy banks’ to break open at the table, revealing delicious chocolate coins that you can enjoy at the end of your evening.
Menu will be served from February 4 until February 25, £88 per person for a minimum of 2 guests. Visit hutong.co.uk for reservations.
Hakkasan
Hakkasan’s 8-course Chinese New Year extravaganza includes some iconic Cantonese dishes such as wok-fry lobster with spinach and lily bulb and crispy suckling pig with sticky rice, but the highlight of the menu is the fortune macaron. Reinventing the classic fortune cookie, the Michelin-starred restaurant commissioned author Will Self to write 88 different fortunes on a red ribbon, which are placed around the pastry to create the fortune macaron.
Menu will be served from January 28 until February 24, £88 per person for a minimum of 2 guests. Visit hakkasan.com for reservations.
Ping Pong
Dim sum favourite Ping Pong is kicking off the Spring Festival with a mix of traditional Cantonese dishes such as pork soup dumplings and chorizo spring rolls, as well as a couple of new additions like sautéed taro cake with spicy chilli mayo. In addition to the adapted food menu, Ping Pong is also launching a tasty cocktail menu showcasing classic drinks with a festive twist – think rye bourbon infused with maple syrup and topped with crispy bacon to honour the Year of the Pig.
Menu will be served from January 29 until April 1 in all London locations. Visit pingpongdimsum.com for reservations.
Kai Mayfair
Michelin-starred restaurant Kai Mayfair is serving Yee Sang, a traditional Chinese New Year dish of exactly 18 ingredients to represent the 3 wishes for Prosperity, Good Fortune and Longevity. You’ll be mixing all the ingredients together at the table, tossing them into the air and letting them fall back onto the plate, while toasting to prosperity. Ending dinner on a high note, there is also a fortune cookie inspired dessert containing edible fortunes on the menu.
Menu will be served from February 4 until February 24. Visit kaimayfair.co.uk for reservations.
Park Chinois
Park Chinois is celebrating Chinese New Year decadently. Launching a mouth-watering multi-course menu that includes dishes such as roasted suckling pig with curry spice, roast duck and truffle and sweet piggy bao buns, as well as specially curated Year of the Pig cocktails. And, for a true sense of celebration, colourful Chinese lanterns will adorn the outside of the Mayfair-based restaurant.
Menu will be served from February 2 until February 10, £128 per person. Visit parkchinois.com for reservations.