Lunar eats set to satisfy Sydney
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Whether it’s the Year of the Rooster, Monkey, Dragon, or any of the 12 animals of the zodiac, there are three common elements at every Chinese New Year celebration: family, friends and food.
And with some of the world’s best Asian restaurants to choose from, Sydneysiders will be spoilt for choice from Friday 27 January to Sunday 12 February when special celebratory dishes will be served alongside a vast array of year-round favourites.
Long queues for yum cha are commonplace at Henry Tang’s two Chinatown restaurants – Zilver and The Eight - but nothing compares to the spread of dishes devoured throughout the two-and-a-half week long Chinese New Year celebrations.
Last Chinese New Year, the two restaurants served more than one tonne of live lobster, 220 kg of live barramundi, 120 kg of live coral trout and more than 10,000 dumplings.
“There is a huge Chinese community in Sydney and although we love Australia, we do get a bit homesick from time to time. That’s why Chinese New Year is celebrated with so much enthusiasm in Sydney,” Mr Tang said.
“It’s also a time when Sydney hosts a lot of Asian tourists, so we want to show them that we can put on a celebration that’s just as good as they would get back home.
“One of our special Chinese New Year dishes is a dried oyster, braised in oyster sauce and served in a bowl with a combination of pork belly and vegetables. It’s symbolic of a family reunion and that is what Chinese New Year represents.
“The whole suckling pig is also very popular for family groups as it’s a dish to be shared.”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City’s Chinese New Year celebrations were amplified by Sydney’s outstanding Asian restaurants.
“A late night meal or Sunday yum cha in Chinatown have become essential Sydney experiences,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The diversity of our Asian dining scene is what sets Sydney apart. Strolling through Chinatown, you can find eateries specialising in regional cuisines such as Uighur, Hui, Yunnanese and Sichuanese to name a few.
“Food is intrinsically linked with Chinese New Year celebrations and there’s a fantastic range of lunar eats on offer for Sydneysiders to try throughout the festival.”
For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Alex Cauchi. Phone 0467 803 815 or email [email protected]
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Paul Mackay. Phone 0432 182 647or email [email protected]
The Eight
Summary: Enjoy special Chinese New Year banquets throughout the Lunar festival period and lion dances on January 27 and 28.
Date / Time: January 27 – 12 February
Venue Address: Market City, Level 3, 9-13 Hay Street, Haymarket
Admission cost: Tables of 10 – 12 people starting from $1,098 per table
Website: www.theeightrestaurant.com.au
Night Market, Carriageworks
Summary: Curated by chef Kylie Kwong and inspired by the streets of Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai, the NIGHT MARKET will immerse you in the food, culture and sounds of contemporary Asia. Showcasing over 50 stallholders presenting the very best in Asian food.
Dates / Time: 28 January 2017, 5pm– 10pm
Venue: Carriageworks
Venue Address: 245 Wilson St Eveleigh 2016
Admission cost: 10 (+ booking fee) per person
Website: http://carriageworks.com.au/
The Sydney Morning Herald Lunar Markets presented by The Star Sydney
Summary: Meander through the city to Pyrmont Bay Park for the Lunar Markets, a pop-up food festival with a range of delicious Asian dishes. This sumptuous display is truly its own mini-festival. Grab a bite and relax under a canopy of Chinese lanterns as you devour succulent satay sticks, tasty translucent dumplings and fragrant fried rice.
Dates / Time: 26 Jan-5 Feb from 4pm
Venue: Pyrmont Bay Park
Admission cost: Free
Website: www.sydney.lunarmarkets.com.au
Chinese New Year Buffet Dinner, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Summary: Enjoy an Asian influenced seafood buffet, as well as a live noodle station, San Choi Bao station and everyone’s favourite CNY delicacy, Beijing duck pancakes. The buffet also includes a range of cold appetisers, regional Chinese specialties like honey glazed BBQ pork, clay pot offerings and more.
Dates / Time: 27 January – 04 February 2017, 6pm - 10pm
Venue: Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Venue Address: 176 Cumberland St, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000
Admission cost: $85 per person
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/
Mahjong Room Year of Rooster CNY Banquet
Summary: A special banquet to celebrate the Year of the Rooster. A choice of an 8 or 9 course banquet with glasses of sparkling wine are available. Gluten, dairy and nut-free options available request. For a more intimate experience book one of Mahjong's two private dining rooms.
Dates / Time: 23 January – 11 February
Venue: Mahjong Room
Venue Address: 312 Crown Street Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Admission cost: Phoenix Banquet 8 course $49 with glasses wine of sparkling
Dragon Banquet 9 course $59 with glasses of sparkling wine
Website: http://www.mahjongroom.com.au
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Westpac Lunar Lantern Hub
Summary: Martin Place transforms into the Westpac Lunar Lanterns Hub from 5pm until late for the 17 nights of the Festival. Featuring a 50 metre canopy of red lanterns, food from Gelato Messina and Bao Stop, drink, nightly DJ and entertainment along with The Star Fortune Mahjong Garden.
Dates / Time: 27 January – 12 February, 5pm till late.
Venue: Martin Place
Admission cost: Free
Website: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/westpac-lunar-lantern-hub
Opera Bar – Sydney Opera House
Summary: With a twist on a summer favourite, Opera Bar will serve up oysters from its RAW Bar with a Chinese-style black vinegar, ginger and shallot dressing for Chinese New Year
Dates / Time: 27 January – 12 February
Venue: Sydney Opera House
Admission cost: $24 for ½ dozen of Sydney Rock or Pacific
Website: http://www.operabar.com.au
Portside Sydney – Sydney Opera House
Summary: Hatted Chef Lauren Murdoch will serve up a two course Chinese New Year feast featuring:
Silken chicken, shitake, rice, daikon
Coconut Ice cream, Lychee Jelly, Red Bean Syrup
A glass of house sparkling, white or red
Dates / Time: 2 February – 12 February
Venue: Portside Sydney – Sydney Opera House
Admission cost: $49
Website: http://portsidesydney.com.au
Sokyo – The Star
Summary: Five course menu with one glass of sake per person
1st Course - Seafood ceviche with puffed rice paper and pepper oil 2nd Course - Whole Grilled John Dory, white sesame & ginger, steamed rice 3rd Course - Soft Shell Crab roll 4th Course – Mixed green salad 5th course- Good fortune roll
Dates / Time: 19 January – 12 February
Venue: Sokyo – The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont
Admission cost: $100
Website: www.star.com.au
Fat Noodle – The Star
Summary: Special dishes include an entrée Lucky Salmon Yu Sheng Salad and main wokstir-fry jumbo prawn and Canadian scallop, lily bulb with asparagus and shjimeiji mushroom
Dates / Time: 19 January – 12 February
Venue: Fat Noodle, – The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont
Website: www.star.com.au
Black Bar & Grill – The Star
Summary: Prepared by Teage Ezard and his amazing team, it's your chance to indulge in a special Lunar menu which showcases the very best in modern Australian cuisine including: *Southern rock lobster, wood grilled, wakame butter, T-bone, MBS 5+, bone marrow, chimichurri, roasted Cipollini onions $165 *Saikou Salmon steamed, sea herbs, orecchiette, golden broth, puffed skin $53
Dates / Time: 19 January – 12 February
Venue: Sokyo – The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont
Admission cost: $53 - $165
Website: www.star.com.au
Food Quarter – The Star
Summary: Special Lunar inspired menu includes: Deep fried Whole Snapper with Sweet and Sour sauce $28 Seafood Chow Mein with Homemade XO Sauce $23 Stir-fried Clams in Black Bean sauce, Chinese Donuts with Jasmine Rice $26
Dates / Time: 19 January – 12 February
Venue: The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont
Admission cost: $23 - $26
Website: www.star.com.au