Festive feasts for the New Year

Though we had Valentine’s Day to celebrate last week, Lunar New Year takes the spotlight this week. Also known as Chinese New Year, the date of the holiday follows the cycle of the moon, and doesn’t match up any one day. Instead, the date of the Lunar New Year switches each year, taking place somewhere between late-January to mid-February. In Chinese families, the occasion is marked by reunions with close friends and family, a hearty dinner, and well wishes for the coming year ahead — perhaps all privileges for college students.

This year marks the Year of the Goat and whether you’re missing your family traditions back home or have never once considered celebrating the holiday, these are a few places you might consider checking out, for quick but worthwhile trip. As The Mountain Goats relevantly preach in their song “This Year,” we’re going to make it through — even if it kills us!

Golden Dragon Parade

Feb. 21 – 1 p.m. – Los Angeles Chinatown

Come see a traditional dragon dance in Chinatown! The event will be festive and lively, including marching bands and over two-dozen parade floats. Additionally, the parade aims to promote local Chinese businesses and Asian American culture, so if you’re looking for ways to get involved with local Asian community organizations, perhaps this is a place to start. The annual event will take place on Saturday, occupying Hill, Bernard, and Temple Streets, as well as Broadway.

Capital Seafood Restaurant

Landmark Shopping Center, 755 W Garvey Av.e, Monterey Park

Ring in the Lunar New Year Cantonese-style. In contrast with many American holidays, when families will prepare home-cooked meals, it’s just as popular for Chinese families to visit their favorite restaurants on big holidays. On Chinese New Year, it’s custom to gather with lots of family and friends to head out to dinner and exchange lucky red envelopes. If you do this, make sure to wear something red or especially vibrant — you want to start out the New Year with some positive flair!

Capital Seafood is a good place to celebrate if you want to try some high quality Chinese dishes, that are popular in Hong Kong. The menu includes the traditional selection, of soup, seafood, rice and noodle dishes, as well as Chinese desserts — so don’t come here if you’re craving oil and takeout. Chinese dinner food in contrast is very simple and light on seasoning. Much of the flavor you get will come from fish cooked in soy sauce, or the meat that is in your fried rice. The fried rice with crab eggs and sausage is a personal favorite. If you’ve finished your meal and are still craving a sweet kick, the bubble tea spot, Half and Half, is just steps away.

Half and Half Tea House

Landmark Shopping Center, 755 W Garvey Ave, Monterey Park

I’ve had a lot of bubble tea in my day, but I’ve never seen a tea menu as extensive as Half and Half’s. There are milk and fruit tea flavors that are hardly conceivable and can be paired with any topping from popular tapioca to more daring pudding. The pages-long menu also includes Half and Half’s signature Iced Milk Drink, a sweet, milky drink that actually contains no tea. It is definitely worth a try if you like drinks with a kick of honey. At Half and Half, all drinks are served in a stout-looking bucket cup, a reminder of what you might look like if you start giving into boba addiction. The upside? Realizing that it might just be worth it.

AU79

1635 S. San Gabriel Blvd. San Gabriel, CA 91776

Another tea house not too far from Monterrey Park is AU79. With locations in San Gabriel and Pasadena, the cute spot is known for its milk teas and light snacks. There are sesame noodles and an assortment of yummy fried snacks too. If you like Chinese food and boba and are looking for a sit-down place to enjoy both, go check out AU79 this Chinese New Year. Their tapioca is really well made, so that’s an obvious plus.

Viviane Eng is a freshman majoring in print and digital journalism. Her column, “Among Us & Other Things,” runs Thursdays.