04 February 2026
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On February 17, cities around the world will light up in a blur of crimson lanterns, crackling fireworks and the hum of families gathering to welcome the new year — a holiday that marks renewal, prosperity and the promise of good fortune ahead. Celebrated across East and Southeast Asia, as well as by global diasporas, the festival is steeped in symbolism, from the color red, believed to ward off evil spirits, to the exchange of lucky envelopes and the joyful reunion of loved ones around the table.
At the heart of these celebrations is food, with each dish carrying its own auspicious meaning. In China, plump dumplings shaped like ancient gold ingots symbolize wealth while whole fish promises abundance; in Korea, coin-like slices of tteok (rice cakes) signal prosperity and new beginnings; and in Vietnam, bánh chưng (glutinous rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves) are made to pay respect to ancestors, while mứt tết (candied fruit) is offered to guests for good luck.
From holiday specials to lavish banquet-style spreads, enjoy these limited-time offerings at restaurants across North America inviting diners to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse with dishes as meaningful as they are memorable.
Los Angeles
Lunasia Dim Sum House
Lunasia Dim Sum House in Alhambra will usher in the holiday with the grand opening of its newest location (Pasadena) on February 16. Get ready to feast on Cantonese dim sum — both traditional (beef balls, egg tarts) and not-so-traditional (siu mai with truffle, lobster rice noodle rolls) versions — plus classics from other Chinese regions, such as Peking duck, wontons in chili oil, and sauteed eggplant with spicy garlic sauce. There’ll also be several limited-time holiday specials available at all Lunasia outposts, such as seafood longevity noodles in XO sauce, steamed ginger-scallion sea bass, and festive red and gold shrimp har gow (steamed dumplings).
Sichuan Impression
A bevy of prizes awaits diners on at Sichuan Impression. Open red envelopes to reveal vouchers for signature dishes and drinks, discounts or even a complimentary meal. The restaurant has launched several new dishes in time for the holiday, including a flaming pork jowl that’s finished tableside, and a purple rice mochi taro bowl for dessert. For diners seeking whole fish, there’ll be several varieties to choose from, including a steamed turbot that must be ordered in advance. The Alhambra location also has a private room ideal for large parties — just be sure to book ahead.
New York
Chinatown kicks off the holiday with a firecracker ceremony on February 17, followed by a larger parade on March 7.Little Alley
Chef Yuchun Cheung pays homage to his native Shanghai at Little Alley, showcasing iconic specialties like soup dumplings alongside lesser-known regional fare. For the New Year, the restaurant will add holiday dishes that capture the spirit of shared celebration and Shanghai’s bold coastal flavors. From February 13 to 18, guests can enjoy giant oysters with garlic and chopped chili, lobster prepared in their choice of sauce (ginger-scallion, spicy, or salted duck egg), braised pork shank, and Dungeness crab.
Peppercorn Station
Peppercorn Station delivers modern Sichuan cooking in an airy, brightly lit space just a short stroll from Bryant Park. The kitchen will extend its mouth-numbing repertoire with a trio of limited-time dishes available from January 25 through March 18. Along with the restaurant’s usual spicy fare, the menu will also include stir-fried beef ribs with pickled pepper, mapo tofu with abalone and sweet and sour pork.
Tolo
For the holiday, Tolo owner Ron Yan plans to put his playful yet refined touch on three dishes. A peekytoe crab steamed egg, pork and dill dumplings, and flambé rose char siu with lotus rice will be available during the holiday’s two-week celebration period. The wine list is as carefully curated as the food menu, thanks to Yan’s former role as executive chef at New York City’s Parcelle wine bar. Choose from more than 300 varietals that were selected to pair with Yan’s globally inflected Chinese cooking.
San Francisco
Head to Chinatown on February 17 to enjoy the neighborhood’s full slate of events, including a flower market the weekend prior, an opening ceremony on New Year’s Day, and its annual parade on March 7.Harborview
Whether it’s the postcard-worthy outlook of the Bay Bridge from its upper patio, the elegant, polished interior of its main dining area, or its intimate private rooms, there’s no shortage of unique celebratory spaces at Harborview. The sprawling Cantonese restaurant located inside the Embarcadero Center goes all out for the New Year with both à la carte and set menus available from February 13 to 28. Order dishes such as braised shiitake mushrooms with mustard greens, abalone lo mein and tossed chicken salad, or opt for a prix-fixe banquet meal. With the option to feed five or 10 diners, the Business Prosperity ($798, $1,398) and Prosperity and Fortune ($498, $898) sets both include 10 courses and highlight ingredients like black cod, dried oysters and lobster.For those gathering at home, Harborview’s Chinese New Year cakes can be ordered ahead for pickup between February 7 and 17. Flavors include turnip, brown sugar, osmanthus water chestnut, or dried fruit and nuts, available individually ($25 to $30) or as a set ($100).
Mister Jiu’s
At his sleekly designed restaurant in San Francisco’s historic Chinatown, Chef Brandon Jew channels California’s seasonal bounty through the lens of Chinese cooking — and for the holiday, that culinary philosophy takes on an especially auspicious glow. To mark the time of year, Mister Jiu’s offers its modern take on symbolic dan jiao, delicate dumplings wrapped in a crepe-like egg omelet. The wine program joins the celebration with vintages from past years of the horse.
Toronto
The Toronto Spring Festival will take place on February 14 and 15, culminating with a fireworks display at City Hall. Then, stop by Chinatown on February 21 and 22 to watch lion and dragon dances and other cultural performances.Sunnys Chinese
For diners looking to kickstart the Year of the Fire Horse on a lively note, look no further than Sunnys Chinese. The lively Kensington Mall canteen is always buzzing with diners tucking into homestyle cooking inspired by various Chinese provinces, and the New Year specials are no different. Don’t miss the four menu additions running from February 18 to 20: curry beef buns, shrimp spring roll, crispy Sichuan fish, and song gao (steamed rice cake) with toasted rice ice cream.
R&D
After traveling through Asia and working together in Hong Kong, MasterChef winner Eric Chong and judge Alvin Leung returned to Toronto’s Chinatown to open R&D. Chong nods to his Chinese roots and the fusion cooking that helped secure his victory by packaging ingredients like kimchi, foie gras, and pickled jalapenos into dim sum favorites such as siu mai and spring rolls. That same spirit will carry through to the restaurant’s specials.
Vancouver
Vancouver’s LunarFest returns on February 14 with festivities taking place at Granville Island and runs every weekend through the 28th. Swing by to view the Lantern City art exhibit, participate in craft workshops and more.Bao Bei
Bao Bei’s inventive riffs on Chinese food are anything but traditional, and the Chinatown brasserie continues to lean into its creativity for Lunar New Year with a $128 seafood celebration crafted by Chefs Joël Watanabe and Alain Chow and dumpling maker Helen Li. Running from February 12 to 22, the six-course dinner features dishes like griddled seafood shao bing (layered flatbread), prawn mousseline and cuttlefish-filled dumplings, and fried whole branzino with an herbed tom kha-inspired sauce. One evening will feature a lion dance performance.
iDen & QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House
Centuries-old culinary heritage meets contemporary design at iDen & QuanJuDe Beijing Duck House. The storied Chinese restaurant will offer three special feasts, each including its signature Beijing duck. Other dishes from the prix-fixe spreads — set for four ($988), six ($1,688), or 12 ($3,888) — include black vinegar jellyfish salad, wagyu beef ribs in black pepper sauce, XO sauce stir-fried prawns and pan-seared sea cucumber.
Hero image: Food spread at Little Alley - ©KunNing/Little Alley
