Gung hay fat choy! The Lunar New Year, also often known as the Chinese New Year, begins on January 23 and continues with two weeks of festivities.
In addition to street parades, traditional Lion Dances and fireworks, many celebrate the new year by sharing holiday meals with family and friends. One of the traditions is dim sum, a usually brunch-time meal of dumplings and other "tiny treasures," all served from rolling carts that stop at your table and allow you to make selections from the wide offerings of noodles, spring rolls, pork buns, and shu mai. It's great for large groups as well as for kids, since there's no waiting to be served.
Dim Sum in New Jersey
Here are five great places to treat your family to dim sum in New Jersey (note: dim sum is usually only served on weekends and holidays from approximately 11 am to 3 pm.) Reservations are recommended as these restaurants can be especially busy during the holiday period.
China Gourmet
68 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, NJ; 973-731-6411
Crown Palace
8 North Main Street, Marlboro, NJ; 732-780-8882
1283 Highway 35, Middletown, NJ; 732-615-9888
Dim Sum Dynasty
75 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ; 201-652-0686
Sunny Palace
1069 Route 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ; 732-651-8668
The Dynasty
100 US Highway 22, Green Brook, NJ; 732-752-6363
If you're trying dim sum for the first time, here are some helpful etiquette tips.
Chinese New Year Celebrations in New Jersey and New York City
Chinese New Year Celebrations in New Jersey and New York CityFor community Chinese New Year celebrations be sure to check out:
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Year of the Dragon (Jan. 21-22 in Newark, NJ); Celebrate the New Year with Dance and Magic from China (Jan. 22 in Mahwah, NJ); Lunar New Year Festival Family Day (Jan. 22 in NYC at MOCA); Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon (Feb. 4 in NYC at MOMA); Chinese New Year Celebration (Feb. 4 in Cherry Hill, NJ); and Chinese New Year and Dance Program (Feb. 5 in Westwood, NJ).
On Monday, January 23, at 11am Manhattan's Chinatown holds it's 13th Annual Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival at Sara Roosevelt Park (Canal and Forsyth Streets).
And next weekend Manhattan has it's annual Lunar New Year Parade & Festival on Sunday, January 29 starting at 1 pm. The parade begins in Little Italy and goes through the main streets of Lower Chinatown, ending at Sara Roosevelt Park (Canal and Forsyth Streets) where a cultural festival will be held.
For more great ideas for celebrating Lunar New Year, check out our Chinese New Year Pinterest Board.