Atlanta Chinatown Mall

Atlanta Chinatown Mall

Credit: Atlanta Chinatown Mall

The Lunar New Year begins on Saturday, Feb. 10, ushering in the Year of the Dragon, the fifth animal of the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is a powerful beast associated with wisdom, good fortune, strength, and prosperity.  

Celebrated in countries like China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, communities throughout Atlanta will gather together for two weeks of Lunar New Year festivities. Food plays a significant role in these celebrations, where dumplings, longevity noodles, steamed fish, and sweets like nian gao (New Year cake) are typically found at the holiday table. 

Here are a few restaurant and food events to kick off the Year of the Dragon in Atlanta. 

 

City of Chamblee Lunar New Year Festival and Night Market
Cultural Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Behind Atlanta Chinatown, 5377 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee
Feb. 10 – Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

One of the metro area’s largest Lunar New Year festivals takes place annually at the Atlanta Chinatown Mall complex in Chamblee. The festival will include traditional lion and dragon dance performances, workshops, and foods styled after those found at night markets throughout Asia. Tickets are $12 per person. Be sure to also check out the food court at Atlanta Chinatown Mall and Family Baking for pastries, buns, and other sweet treats.

 

We Suki Suki and Qommunity Food Hub
79-b Flat Shoals Avenue, East Atlanta Village
Feb. 9 and Feb. 10

Owner Quynh “Q “ Trinh and her mom are taking over We Suki Suki for the weekend to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Vietnamese food stall’s 12th anniversary in East Atlanta Village. On Friday, Feb. 9, Trinh’s mother is leading the kitchen at We Suki Suki during lunch. Then, on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the mother-daughter team is hosting a special Vietnamese Tết dinner to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

 

Atlantic Station Lunar New Year festival
Atlantic Station Green, Midtown
Saturday, Feb. 10

Atlantic Station in Midtown is hosting its annual Lunar New Year festival Feb. 10, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Expect lion dance performances, Kung Fu and Tai Chi demonstrations, special craft activities, and even a numerologist on site to offer up predictions based on your birth date. 

 

Sweet Auburn BBQ x Leftie Lee’s Lunar New Year brunch
656 North Highland Avenue, Poncey-Highland, Atlanta
Sunday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Sweet Auburn BBQ is teaming up with Avondale Estates Korean-American bakery and sandwich shop Leftie Lee’s for a Lunar New Year brunch. Chef Vivian Lee of Leftie Lee’s will be serving her japchae buns based on the Korean noodle dish, while Sweet Auburn BBQ will serve the Hsu family’s popular char siu smoked pork bao. Reservations are highly recommended. 

 

So So Fed
Ok Yaki, 14 Moreland Avenue, East Atlanta
Monday, Feb. 12, 5 p.m. to 12 p.m. 

Laotian pop-up So So Fed continues its Monday night residency at Ok Yaki in East Atlanta and will host a special Lunar New Year dinner on Feb. 12. Look for Molli Voraotsady’s mapo tofu dumplings to be on the menu, along with other dishes like whole steamed ginger fish, and radish cakes. No reservations are needed.

 

Punk Foodie x Salty Smiles
Ponce City Market Punk Foodie stall, 675 Ponce De Leon Avenue, Atlanta
Monday, Feb. 12, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Chef Alan Somphonephakdy-Powell is bringing his Asian street food pop-up Salty Smiles to the Punk Foodie stall at Ponce City Market on Feb. 12 for a special Lunar New Year dinner. The menu features dishes like massaman curry potato egg rolls, Thai chicken dumplings, Lao caramel noodles, and crispy rice salad. Pre-orders are available. 

 

Canton House
4825 Buford Highway, Chamblee
Saturday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m.

Canton House, the iconic Buford Highway dim sum restaurant, is back again this year hosting its Lunar New Year banquet. The 10-course feast kicks off at 6 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner and a special holiday program at 7 p.m. Follow We Love Buford Highway on Instagram for more Lunar New Year celebrations around Atlanta.  

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.

Tags: Georgia  dining out  Atlanta