Chinese New Year

Celebrate Chinese New Year hosted by Smorgasburg Miami in collaboration with Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

January 20, 2023 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Wok Star Eleanor Hoh is excited to announce she’s collaborating with Smorgasburg Miami’s inaugural Chinese New Year! Smorgasburg Miami will host Year of the Rabbit with live performances, Giveaways and of course food from 60 vendors with several guest vendors. The two day celebrations begin on Chinese New Year eve, Saturday, January 21 from 12pm-9pm and continues on Chinese New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 22 from 12-7pm.

RSVP for free admission: shorturl.at/qsNT7

See full Event Schedule and parking options below.

**Purchase a t-shirt to remind you of all the food and fun times!**
**Proceeds go towards a good cause.**

What you’ll experience…

The Chinese New Year weekend will honor Chinese culture and art with live performances showcasing contrasting talents of a high energy Lion Dance Troupe, Lee Kun Hung Kung Fu with a pop music Taiwanese violinist, Agnes Lin. Enjoy traditional Chinese art and calligraphy for adults and kids in the Lounge area lead by Ms Dan’s Chinese, a private Mandarin tutoring school. Guests will create a one-of-a-kind artwork on a hanging banner strung across the back wall. You’ll enjoy the artistic direction from Ms Dan and her talented teachers.

Ms Dans Chinese Art & Calligraphy Lounge

You’ll also get a chance to have your horoscope read by roaming interactive Chinese runway models, Ely, Jean and actor Michael and take home your own Chinese horoscope scrolls. They will also hand out symbolic red packets with lucky coins for kids.

Chinese Night Market

Smorgasburg Miami will be transformed into a Chinese street food Night Market festooned with red lanterns, paper umbrellas and origami cranes giving a Chinese New Year festive look.

What to wear for Chinese New Year?

Here are some tips… wear lots of red, gold and rabbit themed clothing for Chinese New Year luck and comfy shoes as the surface at Smorgasburg is covered with gravel.

What you’ll EAT!…

On the culinary side, 14 vendors will showcase special dishes highlighting different Asian cuisines that will only be available during this event. And YES, 60 vendors will still serve their usual dishes as well. There are about 8 Asian food vendors…

Vendor Specials

Only available during this weekend’s Chinese New Year Market, thank you so much for doing this, we really appreciate it your efforts!

Tio Paella • Cantonese Fried Rice
D’Abruzzo • XinJiang Skewers 新疆烤串
Tempest Tea • Dragon Fruit Green Tea Lemonade
D’ Pura Cepa • Pionono Egg Rolls
Mao’s Bao • JiaoZi (Boiled Dumplings)
Elote Lovers • Elote en Vaso, topped with Teriyaki Chicken
The Wrapper • Spring Roll Wrap
Raclette Street • Veggie stir fry topped with Raclette
The Dutch Fry • Asian street fries with pork char siu
Los Felix • Blood Orange Sake Margarita
Wet Burger • Sweet and Sour Sauce Wet burger
Moonchild Cafe • Sailor Mooncakes

Guest Vendor Special Dish:
Kome Oyster & Sushi Bar • Chicken Tostadas with Mango Salsa
AI Tallerin AI Sushi • Shrimp, pork, mushroom DUMPLINGS

AiTallerin & Sushi: shrimp, pork, mushroomdumplings

Smorgasburg Miami stats shot through the roof, go to their Reels page..

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Smorgasburg Miami (@smorgasburgmiami)

Where to Park?

Street parking on NW 5th Ave., NW 6th Ave and roads between.

Wynwood covered Garage, 261 NW 26th street, only one block from Smorgasburg: $20 flat rate, up to 5 hours.

545 Wyn covered Garage, 545 NW 26th street, further way: $3/hr, each additional hr $3, daily max $30

What’s Schedule of Events?

Smorgasburg Miami operates every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-7pm, at 2600 NW 2nd Avenue, right next to the Wynwood Walls. Smorgasburg Miami features 60+ of the best-in-class food vendors from Miami and beyond as well as a specially curated section of retail vendors. The market also features live music by a vinyl record DJ and a full bar helmed by Michelin starred restaurant Los Felix, serving natural wine, specialty cocktails, and craft beer.

Find out more about Lion Dance

If you’re interested in finding out more about Lion Dance and what it signifies, this is a great site explaining it.

More about Zodiac Signs?

If you want to delve more into zodiac signs.

Orlando Vietnamese Lunar New Year Events

I didn’t realize Orlando has such a huge Vietnamese population, there are tons of events.

More Fun Events for January!

Click here for my Instagram Guide listing more fun events in South Florida!

How to celebrate Chinese New Year in Miami, 2021

February 11, 2021 By Eleanor Hoh 1 Comment

Welcome Chinese New Year with feasting, lion dances and a magnificent Light show, ENJOY!

Kung Hei Fat Choy! Chinese New Year is Friday February 12.
It’s Year of the Metal Ox. Celebrations go for 2 weeks culminating with Lantern Festival on February 26.

Chinese New Year Radio Interview
WDNA with radio host, Linda Gassenheimer
Ensure your luck through Chinese Year, get tips what to eat, do’s and don’ts.
Receive Chinese New Year gift for 50% discount to my online class here. Use code: LINDAG2021, all uppercase, expires February 14!

Here are some wonderful ways to celebrate Chinese New Year starting with…

ILLUMINATE CORAL GABLES
link to download map and artists bios

Do NOT miss this light exhibit!
Get yourself there!!! You’re welcome.

A first of its kind stunning interactive art, video projections, and light sculptures will be activated on Chinese New Year, this Friday, Feb 12 in downtown Coral Gables. A free month-long exhibition with 8 amazing artworks to experience created by 16 local, national, and international artists. Artworks 24/7.

Colorful, handcrafted, lit lantern “Fireflies” artfully hung from pedicabs by internationally acclaimed Chinese artist, Cai Guo-Qiang will be the first I want to see!
Local Cuban artist Carlos Estevez with his animated, light projections, Urban Universes are best viewed when dark from 6-10pm, Wed.-Sun.

This exhibit is curated by Lance Fung Collaboratives whom I’ve gotten to know and really enjoy his sense of humor.

Then FEASTING…

TRAN AN and Zitzsum (indoor/ outdoor)
This is the most fun collab!
Sunday, February 14th ONLY, takeout available
2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (or sell-out)

Announcing first-annual YEᗩᖇ Oᖴ TᕼE O᙭ socially-distanced festivities. Tran An will team up with Zitzsum for a Chinese New Year inspired collab that promises to ignite the senses. Chef Jon Nguyen of Tran An and Chef Pablo Zitzmann of Zitzsum(opening soon), will be serving up a-la-carte selections brimming with authentic and nostalgic flavors! The limited-release menu (see flyer) is designed to promote prosperity, longevity, unity, luck and other aspects of good fortune for the coming year. First come first serve. See you there!

2KoreanGirls (takeout only)
Ghost kitchen for pickup and delivery only
Check for hours on their website

2 Korean Girls is celebrating Lunar New Year with an exclusive Korean New Year dish offer, Impossible Kimchi Mandu ($10) and Spicy Crab Mandu ($12), only available this weekend for takeout and delivery. The Korean Dumplings are served with a side of Umma’s special Korean Teriyaki sauce for dipping.

To round out your New Year feast, order these dishes with cute names: OB, Original Bibimbap, Ribeye Bulgogi; Kimchi Fried Rice and Napa Cabbage Kimchi; Fish Better Have My Money! –Korean Miso Cod; Phat Buddha – Adashah; Impos-Seoul-ible – Impossible Bulgogi Meatballs.

P.S. The gals use my cast iron wok and gas stove to cook your dishes, you’ll notice the superb flavors and textures people! In their words, “it’s a game changer!”

P.P.S. will post about them in separate blog, love story how they learnt to cook from their mom.

Palmar (indoor/outdoor)
Friday, Feb.12

Modern Chinese with a tropical vibe, like that. I couldn’t get a definitive, I think they have 3 special dishes for Chinese New Year and this is one of them, Fried Rice. So, call before you go!

HAKKASAN at Fountainbleau Hotel, Miami Beach (indoor)
Lion Dance Friday, Feb.12, 8pm
$108 pp prix fixe, Feb.11-15

The Year of the Ox is centered around the principle of “Peace, Love and Sharing” with Chinese New Year itself falling on Valentine’s weekend this year. Dishes include The Celebration Garden, an authentic Cantonese salad made with Smoked eryngii mushroom carpaccio with bee pollen and plum dressing; ingredients renowned in China for bringing prosperity and good fortune. Other dishes include Double Treasure Fortune with Quail blossom puff paired with a Seafood jade dumpling; Braised Abalone Roasted Duck Fried Rice and more.

Signature cocktail – Fire and Grace – with Don Julio Reposado.

P.S. Remembering when Hakkasan hosted a 13 course Yum Cha for my Wok Star Supper Club gathering. People still rave about it to this day. If interested in joining my gatherings, sign up for my free newsletter in right side bar —>>
so you’ll be first to know and get access.

HUTONG in Brickell (indoor/outdoor)
Friday, Feb.12, lion dance, music
$168 pp available only for this night

This is one of our favorite restaurants, decor, service and excellent execution.

Example of Chinese New Year feast:
WAGYU BEEF MILLEFEUILLE;
GOOD LUCK CHAO SHOU: Scallop & prawn wonton in a homemade chilli oil.

PHUC YEA (indoor/outdoor)
Thursday, Feb. 11, lion dance
$55 pp with take-home surprises

5 course prix fixe menu like…
Five-Spiced Duck Confit with curried chickpeas, cranberries, water chestnuts;
Truffled Fried Rice and Bun Bo Hue made with oxtail, cha lua, cabbage, pineapple in a spicy beef broth.

$13 hand-crafted cocktails featuring Espolon Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal and Campari.

DJ set by La Negra Fabulosa

MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, Brickell (indoor/outdoor)
Lion Dance with beating drums, cymbals and gongs
Feb. 12, Feb. 13, 7pm

MO Bar + Lounge will serve Dan Dan Noodles including pork roasted peanuts, green onion, chili oil [USD 20] and Pork & Shrimp Shu Mai including tobiko and black truffle aioli [USD 16]. Specials are available February 1-15.

“Sip for Luck” cocktail made with Oxley gin, sparkling sake, passion fruit, lemon and ginger syrup [USD 17].

La Mar by Gastón Acurio will serve Min Pao steamed buns filled with Chifa flavours, XO, scallops, lobster and water chestnut [USD 25] and Long Life Noodles including wok stir fried egg noodles, vegetables, duck, shrimp and pork [USD 55].

Chinese New Year Miami Roundup 2019

February 3, 2019 By Eleanor Hoh 1 Comment

Kung Hei Fat Choy! Pick from 5 of my fav restaurants to celebrate Year of the Pig, some with Special Menus and Lion Dance. ENJOY!!
The Year of the Pig starts TUESDAY, February 5 and festivities last 2 weeks. Since I’m not organizing a Chinese New Year gathering this year, I’ve put together a list of Chinese/Asian restaurants celebrating Year of the Pig so you can experience it.

You can catch me on Facebook Live talking Chinese New Year with Linda Gassenheimer on Food News & Views and get tips for a Simple Skirt Stir Fry! We continued with a radio interview on 880thebiz, hear it as a podcast!

So, what’s the significance of Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is a time to spend with family and friends and celebrate LIFE! My mom used to cook for days, there was one of everything, so duck, beef, pork, shrimp, you get the drift. The whole table would be filled, it was our favorite time of the year, what a feast for the eyes and tummy. And we got red packets filled with money when we visited our cousins or friends.

Chinese New Year gives you another chance to wipe the slate clean and start over if you’ve fallen off the wagon with your New Year resolution. It’s an opportunity to kick old habits and start new ways of doing things that bring you happiness.

If you’re superstitious like me and don’t want to chance it, here are a few things I do…
• No sweeping on New Year’s Day or you’ll sweep away good luck, great excuse for no housework.
• Wear red or gold or both and eat things like Dumplings, wontons or gyozas resemble gold ingots. They signify Prosperity, Longevity, Good Luck and Happiness.

Find out Pig traits, compatibility, predictions of fame and fortune and celebrities who are Pigs.

And now for the roundup of 5 of my fav Miami restaurants celebrating Chinese New Year, contact them to find out about menus etc. and order some of those good luck foods. Do call them PRIOR to going to reserve and check for Lion Dance appearances to avoid disappointment, I’m just the messenger.

Hakkasan
February 5- February 24, 7:30PM
$108pp
Reserve here.

I took my Wok Star Supper Club for Chinese New Year Yum Cha a few years’ ago and it’s been the talk of the town ever since! Check it out here, you’ll understand why! It’s elegant, the food is exquisite and you get treated like royalty.

Hakkasan celebrates the Year of the Pig with a limited edition menu created by International Chef de Cuisine, Jian Loo alongside an exclusive cocktail and dessert. There’ll be a special lion dance on February 5 at 7:30PM only. Known for its modern take on authentic Cantonese cuisine, you’ll enjoy New Year dishes like Peking duck with crispy bean curd and mango, Fortune Macaron and Liáo liáo cocktail. Every dish features ingredients believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year.

No Name Chinese
February 5, 5:30-10pm
$45pp + $30 wine tasting
Call 786-577-0734 or on OpenTable

I have really enjoyed No Name Chinese for its interesting fusion and modern takes, check my review and video here.

One-night-only 4-course tasting menu. Chef Pablo Zitzmann will be serving dishes like “the Crudo Yusheng that is a really celebratory dish. We got a red braised pork belly that is eaten during Chinese New Year for wealth, long Lo Mein Noodles for longevity and whole roasted fish for a good start and end of the year.”

OG Supper Club and 1-800-Lucky
February 6, 6:30-9:30pm
$55/pp
Tickets here.

1-800-Lucky is the only hip, Asian food hall in Miami with outdoor garden lounge and offers everyone’s favorite dishes like Dim Sum, Chinese roast duck, Thai, ramen, you get the drift.

A Chinese New Year filled with Good Fortune and Good Food…
Upon arrival, each guest will receive his or her own map to present to each of Lucky’s vendors to receive one of their signature dishes.

Throughout the evening, indulge on specialty, holiday cocktails, snap pics at the event’s pop-up photo booth, enjoy live entertainment and partake in a live karaoke competition held one night ONLY in the venue’s outdoor patio with special prizes for three selects winners and much more!

Sugar at East
February 5, 8pm
Lion Dance and Chinese drummers
Check here.
This is a fabulous rooftop garden bar lounge with exquisite Asian accents. Small bites and amazing panoramic skyline views make this one of the best venues.
It doesn’t look like there’s an extra charge for the Lion Dance, so just pay for drinks and eats.

Tanuki
Monday, February 4 to Saturday, February 9
$45pp

This modern, zen Japanese restaurant also offers Chinese Dim Sum and South Asian cuisine. What a clever idea their Chinese New Year menu…

Tanuki is ringing in the Year of the Pig by offering a special 4-course menu (full of pig). Pork Belly Fuku Buns, Pork Gyoza, Pork Fried Rice ending with Miso Chocolate Mousse with Pork Crackling Crumble and Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream.

Other specials include: A whole Roasted Pig Porchetta for $26 (limited availability) and Korobuta Double Chop for $35.

Restaurants not celebrating with special Chinese New Year menu but you can still enjoy without the fuss?…
Black Brick
They’ll be celebrating Spring Lantern Festival, Feb.19. Check menu here.
Komodo
They didn’t post anything special for Chinese New Year. Check their menu here. I went when they first opened, ambience, food and execution was excellent.
Novikov
I must say for a Russian owned Chinese restaurant, it was one of the best dining experience I’ve ever had, see my post here.

If you want to experience a Chinese New Year Festival with a Lion and Dragon Dance, Chinese food, with lots of activities for kids, The Chinese Foundation puts on an annual event at the Miami Dade Campus.

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY everyone!
May your year bring you much happiness, good health and prosperity!