In Hong Kong, the arrival of the Lunar New Year is more than a tradition; it is an extravagant celebration of heritage, where the city’s most prestigious dining rooms become the stage for meaningful reunions.
Whether it is the theatrical toss of a “Lo Hei” against the backdrop of the Victoria Harbour skyline or an intimate eight-course masterclass in Cantonese delicacy, this year’s culinary offerings are as bountiful as they are auspicious.
Howard’s Gourmet
Artisanal culinary precision takes centre stage at Howard’s Gourmet this season. The restaurant has meticulously sourced a selection of the finest and freshest ingredients to anchor their eight-course tasting dinner (HK$ 1,880 per person), a sequence designed for those who appreciate the subtler nuances of Cantonese craftsmanship. The menu highlight is undoubtedly the Premium Seafood Trio, a lavish ensemble featuring 1/4 9-head supreme abalone, succulent fish maw, and sea cucumber, all braised to a silken, tender finish. For a playful yet decadent start, the deep-fried meat ball with shark’s fin reimagines a traditional delicacy as a contemporary, crispy bite—a testament to the kitchen’s flair for surprising even the most seasoned palates.
5/F, CCB Tower, 3 Connaught Road Central, Central; howardsgourmet.com
Cuisine Cuisine
Nestled within The Mira, the Michelin-recommended Cuisine Cuisine offers a masterclass in modern Cantonese elegance under the guidance of Chef Edwin Tang. Their Auspicious 8-Course Dinner Set (from HK$ 4,388 for four) is a thoughtfully composed journey through the season’s most symbolic flavours. Highlights include the braised bird’s nest with fish maw and Yunnan ham, alongside a perfectly steamed spotted garoupa finished with double-fermented soy sauce. For a lighter touch, the festive dim sum menu by Chef Ringo Wong provides a chic lunchtime alternative, while the golden roasted chicken (HK$6,488 for 6 persons), delicately scented with osmanthus, adds a floral, fragrant note to the traditional reunion feast.
3/F, The Mira Hong Kong, Mira Place, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; book.bistrochat.com
Dim Sum Library
Dim Sum Library reimagines tradition with a collection of hand-crafted bites designed to deliver wishes of joy and prosperity. Available from 17 to 23 February, these six inventive delicacies use clever wordplay and auspicious symbols to toast to the year ahead. Wealth is represented by the steamed golden dried oyster and black moss bun (HK$ 128), while the deep-fried ox tongue dumpling (HK$ 108) brings a spicy kick of black pepper sauce to the table. For those seeking abundance, the braised yellow croaker served in a rich milled rice broth with fresh crab meat (HK$128) is a standout. It is a menu designed for the modern epicurean who enjoys their heritage with a side of creative wit.
Shop 124, Level 1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty; dimsumlibrary.com
Ming Pavilion
At Island Shangri-La, Ming Pavilion and Chef Jack Lam are ushering in Lunar New Year with a soulful celebration of Minnan and Fujian heritage. The restaurant’s Chinese New Year Sharing-Style Set Menu (HK $1,088 per guest) is a curated progression of Minnan flavours, opening with a vibrant South African abalone and kampachi yusheng for a refined prosperity toss. The feast continues with an intricate appetiser platter featuring king crab Fujian “pies” and scarlet prawn terrine, followed by a comforting double-boiled fish maw and matsutake mushroom soup. Signature mains take centre stage with the Minnan-style steamed coral red garoupa and a tea-smoked crispy skin chicken. To finish, a nourishing Minnan peach gum and white fungus sweet soup offers a light, elegant end to a truly celebratory reunion.
Level 8, Island Shangri-La, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty; shangri-la.com
Lai Ching Heen
With its two Michelin stars and panoramic harbour views, Lai Ching Heen offers a sublime setting for a sophisticated festive reunion. Their Fat Choy Dinner Menu (HK$ 2,288 per person) is a meticulously curated line-up of Cantonese excellence, while the exclusive 6-course dinner on 18 February (HK$ 3,488) elevates the experience further. This extraordinary journey features the season’s most premium ingredients—including whole 28-head abalone, lobster, and Kagoshima Wagyu—balanced by a traditional dessert trio including water chestnut pudding and a delicate Da Hong Pao tea pastry. The combination of Chef Lau Yiu Fai’s expertise and the restaurant’s storied jade-inspired interior provides a serene backdrop for celebrating the turn of the calendar.
G/F, Regent Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; hongkong.regenthotels.com
Man Ho
Michelin-starred Man Ho at the JW Marriott is embracing the vibrant energy of the horse with a menu that is as symbolic as it is sophisticated. Prosperity is invited to the table via the Abalone Yusheng (HK$ 888), a lively “Lo Hei” ritual essential for any Hong Kong celebration. Chef Jayson Tang has also crafted plates meant to inspire success, such as the sautéed minced oyster with preserved meat and water chestnut (HK$ 388). For grander affairs, the Ru Yi Reunion Set (HK$ 18,888 for 10) offers a magnificent spread featuring roasted whole suckling pig and bird’s nest with shredded fish maw, ensuring the year begins on a note of absolute opulence.
Level 3, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty; jwmarriotthkoffers.com
Hutong
For a celebration with a view, Hutong’s red-lantern-lit dining room overlooking Victoria Harbour provides an incomparable backdrop. The restaurant’s New Year Dinner Menu (HK$ 4,200 for 4) presents an auspicious spread of eight lucky dishes, opening with a theatrical “Lo Hei” (HK$ 1,280) featuring raw lobster, abalone, and hamachi. The journey continues with fiery Northern flavours, including the wok-seared A5 beef tenderloin with Sichuan Erjingtiao and the signature crispy-skin chicken with chilli oil. To finish, traditional wishes of good luck are reimagined as a photogenic Mandarin mousse with candied kumquat and matcha ganache, offering a refreshing end to the spice-laden feast and perfectly capturing the spirit of a high-energy celebration.
18/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; hutong.com.hk
Salisterra
Perched atop Upper House Hong Kong, Salisterra offers a Mediterranean take on the Lunar New Year. On 18 February, the sky-high restaurant will host an exquisite five-course reunion dinner (HK$ 1,388) timed perfectly for the holiday fireworks. The menu leads with a vibrant Maine lobster accented with caviar and a silken mushroom tortellini in truffle consommé, followed by a choice of roasted meagre or a classic Australian beef en croûte wrapped in golden pastry. Concluding with a signature pineapple tarte tatin, it is an ideal destination for those who prefer their traditions paired with sophisticated coastal flavours, and the city’s most breathtaking panoramic views.
49/F, Upper House Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty; upperhouse.com
Hillside
At the newly debuted Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui, Hillside delivers a masterclass in modern Cantonese artistry with a menu featuring eight auspicious à la carte dishes—a numeric nod to wealth and abundance. Highlights include the intricate Four Blessings Dumplings and a restorative double-boiled pigeon soup with fish maw and conch pith. For a hit of wok-fired intensity, the Kung Pao king prawns offer a spirited heat, while the braised whole pork knuckle with prosperity moss serves as a collagen-heavy symbol of growing fortune. Blending tradition with creative finesse, Hillside offers a polished setting for reunions, complete with Fai Chun calligraphy rituals at the adjacent Birdsong.
12/F, Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui, 11 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; sevenrooms.com/reservations/hillside
Editor
Dorothy HoCredit
Lead Image: Cuisine Cuisine
