This year, Chinese New Year begins on February 10, the start of a 15 day holiday. Chinese New Year is one of the most important Chinese holidays. According to Sue Moy, an owner of China Dragon, “Chinese New Year is about doing things to usher in good things and good luck and get rid of bad things and bad luck. Eating good food is essential.” During the holiday, families come together for a sumptuous feast where several dishes are consumed to bring on wealth, happiness, and good fortune. Certain dishes, foods, or ingredients are preferred over others based on their similar sounding names to good things, such as wealth, happiness, good fortune, or money.
These feasts usually feature several meat dishes, such as chicken and shrimp. Chicken dishes signify prosperity. Shrimp dishes signify happiness. Such occasions also call for hot pots, specialty meats, and seafood. A hot pot is a simmering metal pot of stock placed at the center of the table for cooking ingredients placed into the pot. The concept is similar to a fondue. Specialty meats include waxed cured meats such as Chinese sausage. Noodles may be consumed for long life or longevity. Maple Grove is home to restaurants that offer a happy taste of the new year.
Chicken or Shrimp Lo Mein
China Dragon Restaurant
Family owned China Dragon Restaurant offers several dishes that may be consumed for good luck. Among the dishes include, but not limited to, Chicken Lo Mein ($10.45), Shrimp Lo Mein ($11.95), Sesame Chicken ($10.10), General Tao Chicken ($10.40), and Chicken with Broccoli (10.25). Lo Mein is a good food option since noodles signify long life or longevity. These dishes are served in quart-sized containers enough for two people. At China Dragon Restaurant, everything is cooked to order, that is, made fresh with each order. You can eat in or take out. They also do large party orders. In fact, the restaurant receives an increased numbers of orders during Chinese New Year, both small and large party orders. Customers, indicate that you would like to order foods for Chinese New Year. 11251 96th Ave. No. in Maple Grove; 763.493.5170
Chinese Seasonings
Ethnic Foods Co
The grocery store Ethnic Foods Co. offers a stay at home option to celebrate Chinese New Year. They have a variety of Chinese noodles, spices, seasonings, condiments, and sauces. Their best sellers include Shao Sing Wine for marinating meats or making stir fries, Chinese 5 Spice that is made in house, Sichuan pepper, ginger paste for stir fries, fried chilis with peanuts, Tian Jin preserved vegetables, fermented beans, and oyster sauce. They plan to offer Chinese cooking classes in December, late January, or early February. 204 Central Ave, Suite 12 in Osseo, MN; 952.593.3000
Duck
Chin Yung Restaurant
Chin Yung Restaurant offers several duck dishes ($12.35). The duck dishes include ½ deep fried duck. Pressed duck includes boneless duck and an assortment of Chinese vegetables. Duck with black mushrooms include golden brown duck, Chinese black mushrooms, snow peapods, and bamboo shoots. Pineapple duck includes boneless duck, pineapple, and carrots sautéed with chef’s special light sauce. Chin Yung also offers a variety of seafood dishes. 13704 83rd Way North in Maple Grove; 763.420.8940
Hope Happy Family
Yu Fong
The take out-only restaurant Yu Fong also offers dishes with good names. They offer another variation of the Happy Family, specifically “Hope Happy Family” ($10.35). The dish includes chicken, beef, shrimp & scallop with an assortment of vegetables stir-fried in a dark sauce. They also offer the “Triple Mongolian Delight” ($10.35). 6330 Vinewood Lane North in Maple Grove; 763.559.7334
Chinese 5 Spice Duo of Duck
P.F. Chang’s
P.F. Chang’s offers several chicken, duck, shrimp, and Lo Mein dishes. The Chinese 5 Spice Duo of Duck ($19.95) includes a slow cooked leg and crispy skinned breast served with sesame watercress salad and a dried cherry-ginger chutney. 12071 Elm Creek Blvd N in Maple Grove 763.493.9377
Sesame Chicken
Chinese Thai
Chinese Thai fusion restaurant Sweet Basil offers some dishes with ingredients considered to bring on good luck. Sesame Chicken ($9.50) is a battered and deep fried chicken in a special sesame sauce. Chicken Lo Mein ($10) includes egg noodles stir-fried with chicken, carrots, onions, snow pea pods, bean sprouts, cabbage and spices. 9310 Zane Ave. North in Brooklyn Park; 763.391.7362
Bowl Happy Family
China Bowl Family
The take-out only restaurant China Bowl Family offers several delightfully happy dishes. The Bowl Happy Family ($5.95 for a pint) includes chicken, beef, shrimp, and scallop stir-fried with broccoli, peapods, bamboo shoots, baby corns, water chestnuts, and mushroom in a dark sauce. They serve food in individual portions. 9546 Noble Parkway N Brooklyn Park, MN 55443, 763.493.5311
Chicken with Vegetable
China Kitchen
China Kitchen also offers basic foods to celebrate the Chinese New Year. They have chicken with vegetable ($7.25), sesame chicken ($8.95), and beef and broccoli ($7.50). You can dine in or carry out. 20965 S Diamond Lake Rd # 106 in Rogers; 763.315.8858
