It’s the Year of the Rabbit (Chinese lunar calendar) and Cat (Vietnamese lunar calendar)! Lunar New Year is Sunday, Jan. 22, and Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants and markets are gearing up to ring in a prosperous and bountiful year.
Asia Times Square
The big celebrations were earlier this month, but for the next two weekends, Asia Times Square will have a massive firecracker celebration on January 21-22 and a separate food festival on January 28-29. The food festival will be anime themed with lion and dragon dances, sumo demonstrations, and plenty of fare from Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, and more. 2625 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Grand Prairie. Details here.
Ben Thanh Plaza and Central Market
Ben Thanh Plaza is hosting a festival that includes lion dances, firecrackers, and a night food market from January 20 to 22. 1818 E. Pioneer Pkwy. Ste. 100, Arlington.
Grandscape
On January 22 from 2 to 4 p.m., the entertainment, shopping, and dining complex in The Colony is hosting a free celebration with performances, crafts, and food for purchase. 5752 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony. Event details here.
Krio
From 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. January 22, dine at Krio in Bishop Arts and enjoy a lion dance at 5 p.m. The full menu will be available to order during brunch hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Reservations recommended. 233 W. 7th St. Ste. 100.
Jeng Chi
The popular Chinese and Taiwanese bakery and restaurant will have its full menu for the new year. A lion dance is scheduled for January 22 at 1 p.m., and reservations are highly recommended. Call 972-669-9094 for reservations. 400 N. Greenville Ave., Ste. 11, Richardson.
Ngon Viet Kitchen
Feast on Vietnamese fare while you watch a lion dance (that’s at 2:30 p.m. on January 21). Reservations recommended. 1907 Greenville Ave.
Richardson Chinatown
On January 28, Richardson’s downtown district will host a festival in collaboration with the Dallas Chinese Community Center to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. More than 20 restaurants will have offerings up for grabs. 400 N. Greenville Ave., Richardson. Details here.
Wok Star Chinese
The Chinese restaurant is celebrating Lunar New Year with a performance from lion dancers at 3 p.m. on January 22 and a new cocktail and appetizer. Through the end of February, diners can sip on the Down the Rabbit Hole—a tequila-based cocktail with passion fruit liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, carrot juice, and red chili syrup—or the rice pearl meatballs with sticky rice, also known as zhēn zhū wán zi in the Hunan region. They’re typically served at banquet-style dinners for Lunar New Year celebrations. 8041 Walnut Hill Ln., Ste. 854.
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