Places to celebrate the Chinese New Year

Usher in the Year of the Dragon in style with mouthwatering delicacies, age-old traditions and the Burj Al Arab as you’ve never seen it before. It may be late January, but that doesn’t mean every New Year celebration has come to an end, and it’s time to welcome in the year 4710. There’s nowhere better to start than at the iconic Burj Al Arab, which has been lit red to impress, with a giant golden dragon emblazoned in the centre.

As with many celebrations, the best thing about Chinese New Year is having the opportunity to try new food, we say opt for choices that you probably wouldn’t sample otherwise. The must-try dish of the season is raw fish salad, Yusheng, which is said to
bring good luck and prosperity, and is traditionally eaten on the seventh day of celebrations. Other delicacies to tuck into are dim sum – try Ping Pong’s lunch, and the sticky-cake deliciousness that is Nian Gao. Alternatively, just go all-out and enjoy a New Year’s feast truly fit for a king at Raffles Dubai’s gorgeous Noble House.

The Burj Al Arab will be lit every evening from the 23rd until the 29th. Head down to Umm Suqeim Beach to take in the view or venture inside to Junsui for a traditional buffet dinner (Dh495,  04 301 7600). Make sure you book ahead, it’s sure to get busy.

For a delicious and contemporary version of this salad, visit the Kris Restaurant in the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel Dubai. It boasts gorgeous views of the city. (Dh70 for two from January 23-31,
04 377 1111).

Ping Pong is the undisputed champion of dim sum in Dubai, and to mark the New Year they have a Dragon Feast. Diners can enjoy unlimited dumplings on weekdays until February 15 (Dh108, 04 339 9088).

The best place to try Nian Gao is Saffron on The Palm. Between January 22-28 the Atlantis restaurant will be serving up the dessert as part of their all-you-can-eat dinner. A lion dance will weave its way though the restaurant at 7.30pm every night too! (Dh220, 04 426 2626).

Noble House have a special feast on from January 23-28, featuring dishes like Braised abalone, Roasted oyster and shiitake mushroom and Lotus Rice (Dh388, 04 324 8888).

The hotel will be lit every evening from the 23rd until the 29th, so head down to Jumeirah Beach to take in the amazing view and then head inside to Junsui for an out of this world traditional new year dinner. Make sure you book ahead, it’s sure to be busy.
Tel 04 301 7600