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12 fantastic promos to welcome the Chinese New Year!
You can tell the Chinese Lunar New Year is just a few days away when the Tikoys and ampaos (angpao) start flying off the shelves.
Aside from eating the mandatory Tikoy, which symbolizes the strong (and sticky) bond among family members, there’s so much more to the Lunar New Year.
2019 is the Year of the Earth Pig, an animal which is often associated with wealth and prosperity in the Chinese culture.
RELATED: Your Chinese Zodiac forecast for the Year of the Earth Pig is here
If you’re not up to celebrating it with the crowd in Chinatown, here are deliciously fun ways to celebrate Chinese New Year wherever you are in Metro Manila.
1. Festive Feasts by a MasterChef at China Blue
China Blue by Jereme Leung easily became one of the most celebrated Chinese restaurants in Metro Manila since it opened in 2016. And for Chinese New Year, Chef Jereme Leung — a literal MasterChef — and Executive Chef Eng Yew Khor are bringing their masterful interpretations of Chinese favorites.
Special Chinese dishes created by Chef Khor are incorporated in carefully curated set menus until February 5. But the show-stopper is Chef Khor’s take on the Nian Gao or sticky rice cake, which comes in unique flavors like Almond, Passion Fruit, Yuzu Jelly and Red Bean. Seaside Boulevard, Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. +632 8339999
2. Abundant delights at Li Li
At New World Manila Bay Hotel’s Li Li, authentic Cantonese specialties take center stage. Enjoy braised pork knuckle, wok-fried tiger prawn, and bird’s nest soup, which starts at PHP 2,688 per person.
Don’t forget to get a box of the adorably pig-shaped Nian Gao (Tikoy) for P1,088 — the perfect gift for loved ones. 88 Pedro Gil, Ermita, Manila. +632 2526888
3. A Feast of Prosperity at Man Ho
Award-winning restaurant Man Ho at Marriott Manila is adding two luxurious dishes to their menu especially for the New Year. Poon Choi, a Lunar New Year trademark, means “Chinese casserole in basin” has premium ingredients like abalone, fish maw, dried scallop, prawns, sea moss, cuttlefish, roasted duck, chicken, pork knuckle, and vegetables. Poon Choi signifies affluence and prosperity. This one-pot communal dish is priced at Php 18,880 nett good for 8 to 12 persons.
Lohei or Yu-Sheng is another Lunar New Year trademark dish, which means “to toss up good fortune”. Each element of the dish symbolizes different aspects of luck, money, and prosperity. As part of the new year ritual, the ingredients are tossed — the higher the better — as the family is gathered around the table to declare good wishes for the new year. Lohei is good for 4 to 6 persons at P2,888. 2 Resorts Drive, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City. +632 9889999
4. Savor Good Fortune and Happiness at Lung Hin
Start the Year of the Earth Pig by feasting on good fortune and happiness at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s multi-awarded Chinese restaurant Lung Hin.
These must-try creations by Chinese Executive Chef Terry Lai of Lung Hin include the Suckling Pig Cold Cuts, Steamed Live Garoupa with Minced Garlic in Supreme Soy Sauce, and Braised Abalone with Fish Maw in Oyster Sauce. The Classic Salmon Yu Sheng Prosperity Toss is another must-not-miss culinary and cultural experience at Lung Hin. Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. +632 7207720
5. Adorably Auspicious Souvenirs from Pan Pacific Manila
Aside from the traditional Tikoy and Moon Cake, Pan Pacific Manila has created a delectable Taro Cake (P488 nett) for a tasty twist to your Lunar New Year festivities.
A sure way to encourage the kids to celebrate the Year of the Earth Pig is to get them these adorable “Huggable Hogs”, a cuddly plush pig (P788 nett) that “imbibes positive energy, abundance, and wealth.” M. Adriatico cor. Gen Malvar Sts. Malate, Manila. +632 3180788
6. Bountiful Specials at Crystal Dragon
City of Dreams Manila is home to numerous outstanding restaurants, but Crystal Dragon is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Diners can experience an authentic Chinese feast at Crystal Dragon until February 19 with its limited edition menu for the New Year. Savor delectable dishes like the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng with Fruit Salad (starts at P1,350), the Shredded Roasted Duck with Fresh Fruit Salad (starts at P1,280), Cantonese Style Stewed Abalone Poon Choi (P6,500), Cantonese Style Stewed Tiger Prawn Poon Choi (P3,500), Slow-cooked Supreme Fish Maw with Abalone and Minced Pork (P2,800), among others. Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Parañaque City. +632 8008080
7. Recipes for Prosperity at Spiral
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila may be French, but its legendary buffet hall Spiral is bringing the best of Chinese cuisine for the Lunar New Year, thanks to their new resident Chinese Chef Yui So Chan.
Chef Yui So came up with 12 dishes symbolizing abundance, wealth, and prosperity for Spiral from February 4 to 8. These dishes include Braised Abalone with Mushroom, Traditional Hong Kong Steamed Fish, Ho Se with Spinach and Sea Moss, Half Shell Scallop in X.O. sauce, Traditional Pork Dumplings with Spicy Vinegar Sauce, Buddha Soup, Cereal Butter Prawn, Creamy Butter Crab, Long Life Noodles in 8 Treasure Sauce, Cua Pao filled with Glazed Pork Belly, Pork Floss Bun, and adorable Steamed Chocolate Pig Buns. Starts at P2,850 per person. Atang Dela Rama Street, CCP Complex, Pasay City. +632 8326988
8. Flavors of Hunan, Canton, and Sichuan at Holiday Inn Makati
While most restaurants are featuring Cantonese cuisine for the Lunar New Year, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati is bringing the flavors of Hunan and Sichuan to the limelight starting February 1.
From the spicy excitement of Sichuan cuisine to the robust flavors of Hunan, enjoy traditional Chinese regional fare at their Chinese Food Festival at Flavors Restaurant starting at P1,675 per person.
Make sure you make reservations for February 5, so you and your entire family can enjoy the lively Lion and Dragon Dance, eye dotting ceremony to usher in prosperity, and the annual Spring Salad Toss. Glorietta Mall, Palm Drive, Makati City. +632 9090888
9. An Auspicious Feast for the Family at Jasmine
Specially prepared by Chinese executive chef Wong Kam On, New World Makati Hotel’s award-winning Chinese restaurant Jasmine will be spreading good fortune and a delectable feast for the Lunar New Year.
Get a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine with Chef-recommended dishes such as Roasted Suckling pig, Steamed Live Garoupa, deliciously handmade dumplings, as well as the festive Salmon Fish Yu Sheng toss, and a big bowl of Poon Choi for good luck. Lunar New Year set menus start at P13,888, but their crowd favorite Yum Cha lunch is also available at PHP1,688 per person. Esperanza Street, Makati City. +632 8116888
10. Lunar New Year by the Bay at Corniche
Diamond Hotel Philippines is bringing the Lunar New Year festivities to Manila Bay with a traditional Dragon and Lion dance by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation, Chinese instrumental music by Kim Hwa Ensemble, Feng Shui consultation with Feng Shui expert Angel Macalino, and even staycation packages for the entire family.
The hotel’s buffet hall, Corniche, is welcoming Chinese New Year by exploring the flavors of Chinese cuisine courtesy of Chinese chef Yang Yong from February 2 to 5, 2019 for only P2,880 nett per person. Roxas Boulevard corner Dr. J. Quintos Street, Manila. +632 5283000
11. The Taste of Prosperity at No. 8 China House
Chef Carson Luo and his culinary team at No. 8 China House is ushering in the Year of the Earth Pig with a prosperous and impressive feast from February 1 to 15.
The special menu — with dishes symbolizing and inviting good fortune and prosperity to those who feast on it — includes No. 8 China House’s famous Peking Duck, a traditional clay pot dish of the freshest Australian abalone mixed with sea cucumber, dried scallops, pork belly and mushrooms, or with fresh steamed green grouper.
To usher in more good luck, cap off your festive meal with crispy Chinese rice cakes, baked taro puff pastries, or traditional Nian Gao. No. 8 China House’s Chinese New Year menu starts at PHP 11,880 for a table of four. 8th Avenue corner 34th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. +632 8381234
12. The Classic Flavors of Good Fortune at Red Jade
The Manila Hotel, aka the ‘Grand Dame of Manila’, looks absolutely breathtaking as the Lunar New Year approaches. Its Main Lobby is adorned with a modern Prosperity Garden, an ethereal art installation by renowned designer Rachy Cuna.
At The Manila Hotel’s premier Chinese restaurant Red Jade, culinary delights turn into good luck charms such as Long Life Crab Claw with Minced Shrimp, Crispy Fried Pigeon, and Baby Rock Lobsters in Cheese, and Butter with E-fu Noodles. Enjoy these lucky gastronomic delights from February 3 to 6. One Rizal Park, Manila. +632 5270011
— LA, GMA News
