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It's almost time to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which kicks off Wednesday, Jan. 29.
The holiday, which is observed by East and Southeast Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore is also known as Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Tet Nguyen Dan or Seol-Nal.
It's a holiday that has traditionally marked the end of the coldest part of winter, offering up an opportunity to look forward to warmer months. It's also a time seat aside for making amends, seeking reconciliation and re-establishing old ties. Unsurprisingly, it's also a festival celebrated through family gatherings and the consumption of foods, which are believed to bring good luck in the upcoming year.
According to Chinese astrology, 2025 is the Year of the (Wood) Snake and it promises to bring wisdom, adaptability, and a sense of transformation. The snake is widely recognized as a powerful totem of healing and personal evolution. In tandem, 2025 is predicted to be a year best used for thoughtfulness, building resources and planning. Careful strategy is said to be key to success over the next 12 months.
Those born under the sign of the Snake are said to be sensitive, effective and adaptable. Famous people born in the year of the Snake include: John F Kennedy, Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Pablo Picasso and Muhammad Ali.
Whether or not you believe those predictions, the Lunar New Year is a great time to delve in, learn more about – and exercise an appreciation for – Asian culture. Here are four (delicious and fun) ways to do just that.
1. Plan a special night out
You can celebrate by dining out at any of the area’s Asian restaurants. But here are several eateries offering entertainment or special menus that fit the occasion!
Dandan
360 E. Erie St., (414) 488-8036
dandanmke.com
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On Jan. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m., Dandan will be offering a special four course Lunar New Year Dim Sum menu featuring dishes like Duck Potsticker, Cumin Lamb Dumpling, Shrimp and Lobster Shumai, Hot and Sour Egg Drop Soup, Short Rib Xiao Main and Singapore Chili Crab. Cost is $60 per person and reservations can be made online.
Golden Gate Restaurant
1427 E. Racine Ave., Waukesha
goldengaterestaurant.com
Head to Golden Gate Restaurant on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 2 p.m. and experience a traditional Lion Dance to ring in the Year of the Snake! Invite prosperity in 2025 with a celebration that crackles with firecrackers, drum beats and lucky red envelopes filled with gifts (including cash). Be sure to stay for dinner! Service will be available for guests within 30 minutes following the celebration.
Momo Mee
110 E. Greenfield Ave., (414) 316-9003
momomeerestaurant.com
Momo Mee will be offering a variety of special dishes to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Options include Jiaozi Dumpling Soup (housemade dumplings stuffed with pork, shrimp, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, scallions, chicken broth, $22); Chari Siu Mee (BBQ roast port with wide Hong Kong style noodles, $26); Yan Su Ji (Taiwanese salt and pepper chicken with sauteed bok choy and Jasmine rice, $26); Five Spice Half Duck (served with Jasmine rice, $38); Szechuan Green Beans (fresh beans sauteed in Szechuan spices, garlic and onions, $19). The special menu is available now through Sunday, Feb. 16.
RuYi
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
1721 W. Canal St., (414) 847-7335
paysbig.com/dining/ruyi
Enjoy a special Lunar New Year menu at Ruyi from Jan. 29-Feb. 15. Specials include specialty sushi like the Snake Coral Roll (Salmon, tuna, hamachi, katsuramuki daikon, cucumber, jalapeno, tobiko, garlic ponzu); House Potstickers; Ginger Scallion Fried Lobster; Honey Walnut Shrimp and more. Take a look!
2. Indulge in treats
Lucky Bakery & BBQ
11078 W. National Ave., West Allis, (414) 329-2688
facebook.com/westallisuas
Lucky Bakery is offering a variety of special New Year’s cakes including nian gao (sticky rice cakes) and fa gao (prosperity cakes). Pre-ordering is recommended. Of course, you can try any one of their delicious treats, from sweetheart (wife) cakes to sesame balls, lotus paste-filled pastries and custard egg tarts. While you’re there, be sure to pick up some of their delicious roast duck, pork belly or honey-glazed pork ribs.
3. Eat dumplings for prosperity
According to an ancient legend, the more dumplings you eat during the New Year celebration, the more money you’ll make in the coming year. Here are some great spots to get your fill:
Dumpling Bao House
Inside Tanpopo Ramen & Sushi
5191 S. 108th St., (414) 525-2266
dumplingbaohouse.com
Choose from chicken, beef, shrimp and pork or vegetable dumplings
Fusion Cafe
1427 S 108th St, West Allis, (414) 257-1199
Fusioncafewi.com
Try any of their handmade dumplings (including those stuffed with pickled cabbage and pork or egg and chives)
Jing's
207 E. Buffalo St., (414) 271-7788
jingsmilwaukee.com
Try their steamed dumplings or xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
Momo Mee
110 E. Greenfield Ave., (414) 316-9003
Momomeerestaurant.com
Try their xiao long bao (soup dumplings) or steamed shao mai
Serious Sanji
853 N Mayfair Rd, Wauwatosa, (414) 226-6055
serioussanjiwi.kwickmenu.com
Try their fried pork and chive dumplings; xiao long bao (soup dumplings) or signature Sanji.
Sze Chuan
11102 W National Ave., (414) 885-0856
goszechuanrestaurant.com
This is the spot for spicy Szechuan pork dumplings
4. Spring for spring rolls
Much like dumplings, spring rolls are said to bring wealth and good fortune. So, eat up! And be sure to order spring rolls; they’re lighter and flakier than egg rolls thanks to their thin rice flour wrappers.
There are many spots to indulge in these delicious fried rolls, but here are a few suggestions.
Emperor of China
1010 E. Brady St., (414) 271-8889
emperorofchinarestaurant.com
Fortune Chinese Restaurant
2945 S. 108th St., (414) 328-9890
fortunerestaurant.net
Golden Gate Restaurant
1427 E. Racine Ave., Waukesha
goldengaterestaurant.com
Lucky Liu's
1664 N. Van Buren St., (414) 223-1699
luckyliustogo.com
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
