Chinese New Year arrives in a flourish of red, gold, and promise, a time when tradition meets indulgence and every table tells a story of abundance. As the Lunar New Year ushers in fresh beginnings, restaurants and luxury hotels are embracing the spirit of the festival with specially curated menus that honour heritage while offering contemporary flair. From symbolic dishes crafted to invite prosperity and good fortune to refined tasting experiences inspired by regional Chinese cuisines, these limited-edition offerings transform dining into celebration.
Across the city, chefs are presenting thoughtfully designed feasts featuring delicate dim sums, longevity noodles, whole fish preparations symbolising surplus, and decadent desserts infused with festive flavours. Whether it is an intimate family gathering or an elegant evening out, these seasonal menus promise more than a meal, they offer an immersive cultural experience that celebrates renewal, reunion, and the joy of sharing.
Taj Coromandel Chennai
As the Lunar New Year unfolds in a palette of red and gold, Chennai’s dining scene embraces the spirit of renewal with celebratory flair. Marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse, a symbol of vitality, ambition and good fortune, Golden Dragon at Taj Coromandel presents an auspicious culinary showcase that honours tradition while celebrating refined Cantonese craftsmanship.
A celebrated institution on the city’s gastronomic map, Golden Dragon has long been revered for its authentic Sichuan and Cantonese repertoire. For the festive season, its chefs unveil a thoughtfully curated menu rooted in Chinese culinary heritage, designed to reflect prosperity, harmony and togetherness.
The experience begins with nourishing bowls of Double Boiled Monkey Head Mushroom Broth delicately infused with cilantro, carrots and sesame oil, alongside the hearty Shi Hu Lamb Soup enriched with minced lamb, tomatoes and egg drop. Steamed Chicken and Vegetarian Shuijiao add a gentle, comforting prelude to the courses that follow.
The menu then builds into robust signatures such as Braised Duck with Chilli Bean, slow-cooked with garlic and sesame, and crisp Pulled Duck Spring Rolls layered with roast duck shreds and aromatic greens. Seafood takes pride of place with Tiger Prawns in XO sauce and the elegant Lobster with Ginger Scallion, finished with Shaoxing rice wine and sesame. Classic mains including Koi Rou pork belly steamed with bok choy and fresh red chillies and Hang Zhou Tenderloin stir-fried with okra and young green chillies further enrich the celebratory spread.
Vegetarian selections remain equally compelling, from Kong Cin Chai (morning glory tossed with garlic and dry red chillies) to Silken Tofu in Fresh Chilli Sauce brightened with coriander and fresh red chillies. Steamed Longevity Noodles, symbolising long life, and fragrant Moon Fan jasmine rice delicately scented with Chinese five spice complete the savoury offerings.
Desserts bring the feast to a refined close with Water Chestnut, Fruit and Lotus Dim Sum paired with Pineapple Sweet Chilli Ice Cream, alongside a decadent Chocolate and Banana Cremeux finished with candied walnuts and salted caramel.
The celebratory spirit extends to the bar with a curated selection of festive cocktails, including Rose Mary Gin Fizz, Dragon Wall and Cherry Moon. For those opting for non-alcoholic indulgence, refreshing blends such as Cucumber Lemonade Huanggau and Lychee Delight offer vibrant alternatives.
With its auspicious flavours and timeless setting, Golden Dragon provides an elegant backdrop to welcome the Year of the Horse and celebrate new beginnings in quintessential style.
Quick Facts
Golden Dragon | Taj Coromandel, Chennai
February 17 – 27, 2026
À la carte
Lunch: 12:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Dinner: 7:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Yauatcha Kolkata
As the Lunar New Year unfolds in a blaze of red and gold, Kolkata’s dining landscape welcomes a season of renewal, vitality and celebration. Marking the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse — a symbol of passion, dynamism and forward momentum — Yauatcha Kolkata presents a limited-edition festive menu that channels bold flavours, contemporary finesse and the joyous spirit of the occasion.
For the celebration, Yauatcha Kolkata transforms into a vibrant visual tableau inspired by the spirited charm of Hong Kong teahouses, accented with festive detailing and celebratory motifs. The specially curated menu pays homage to Lunar New Year traditions while reflecting the brand’s signature modern interpretation of Chinese cuisine.
The culinary journey begins with elegant small plates such as Steamed Leek and Corn Rolls in Sweet Black Pepper Sauce, layered with tender leeks, cream cheese and sweet corn, and Steamed Shrimp Carrot Dumplings filled with succulent shrimp, sweet carrots and lotus root. Crisp Golden Chicken Rolls with celery and Chinese cabbage deliver texture and depth, while Kumquat Butterfly Prawns glazed in a bright citrusy sauce lend a festive vibrancy. Fragrant Fried Chicken with Almond Flakes in Sha Cha sauce rounds out the starters with warmth and nutty richness.
The celebratory narrative continues with mains that balance refinement and intensity. Steamed Indian Salmon in Black Bean Sauce with pak choy offers buttery texture and savoury complexity. For those seeking bolder flavours, Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Tofu in Toban Chilli makes a robust statement. Vegetarian creations such as Stir-Fried Lotus Root with Broccoli and Black Pepper and the striking Beetroot Fried Rice with Mock Meat introduce colour, balance and layered textures to the table.
Desserts echo themes of prosperity and good fortune. The Lucky Horse features layers of orange sponge with a ginger insert, mandarin crémeux, mandarin compote and caramelised mousse, paired with a refreshing mandarin sorbet. Spicy Mandarin Macarons, filled with spiced chocolate ganache and mandarin compote, provide a refined and festive finale.
The beverage programme completes the experience with a selection of Chinese New Year specials. Fire And Ice blends Ballantine’s Finest with yakitori liqueurs and cinnamon foam, while Daredevil combines truffle-washed Ballantine’s Finest whisky with Campari and C3 liqueur. The Catalyst offers a bright mix of Beefeater gin, umeshu and yuzu juice, and The Red Stallion layers Absolut vodka with lavender liqueur, cranberry juice, raspberry purée and lime. Zero-ABV creations such as Flavour of Tibet with cucumber and yuzu, and the berry-forward Red Berry Collins with elderflower, ensure a refreshing celebratory touch for all.
Available for a limited time, the Chinese New Year menu at Yauatcha Kolkata invites guests to immerse themselves in a festive dining experience that blends symbolism with sophistication — a celebration of tradition, innovation and the spirited energy of the Year of the Fire Horse.
Quick Facts
Address: 5th Floor, Quest Mall, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Park Circus, Beck Bagan,
Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
Price for two: ₹3,750 plus taxes
Date: 1st February to 15th March, 2026
For Reservation Call: 09222222800
JW Marriott Bengaluru
As the Lunar New Year heralds a season of renewal and auspicious beginnings, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa invites guests to celebrate with an immersive Chinese New Year Festive Dining Experience at East, the resort’s signature Asian speciality restaurant.
From 17th to 22nd February 2026, the celebration unfolds as a refined tribute to prosperity, happiness and togetherness — brought to life through authentic flavours, symbolic traditions and thoughtfully curated live elements.
Designed as a culturally rich showcase, the experience places traditional Chinese culinary customs at its heart. A specially crafted festive menu features beloved classics such as Tangyuan sweet dumplings symbolising unity, delicate Prawn Hargao, Chicken Suimai, Vegetable Crystal Dumplings and comforting Snapper and Shiitake Hot Pot. The robust flavours of Mapo Tofu add depth to the spread, ensuring a balanced and celebratory feast. Guests will also be introduced to traditional tea rituals, offering an interactive layer that enhances the authenticity of the occasion.
The restaurant transforms into a vibrant festive setting adorned with classic red and gold accents, lantern installations, cherry blossom motifs and auspicious Chinese symbols. Personalised Chinese New Year menu inserts further elevate the atmosphere, creating a visually rich and culturally immersive dining environment.
Adding to the celebratory elegance, live violin performances will set a refined yet festive tone throughout the day. A specially curated cocktail selection, inspired by Asian ingredients and festive notes, will complement the menu, enhancing the overall experience.
Event Details
Venue: East, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa
Dates: 17th – 22nd February 2026
Lunch: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Dinner: 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Price: À la carte
Spice Traders-W Goa
Some culinary traditions do not require reinvention — they require interpretation. At Spice Traders, the narrative turns thoughtfully toward one of the world’s most nuanced gastronomic legacies. With its renewed culinary direction, the restaurant offers a composed and contemporary dialogue with Chinese cuisine — not driven by nostalgia, nor by spectacle, but by understanding.
Located within W Goa, Spice Traders now presents a refined evolution shaped by the philosophies of China’s Eight Great Cuisines. Under the vision of Chef Avinash, the approach is neither replication nor reinterpretation for effect. Instead, it is a decoding of principles — how heat is layered with intention, how fermentation deepens flavour without heaviness, how contrast creates equilibrium, and how restraint can be more powerful than embellishment.
This renewed direction is guided by the restaurant’s BA philosophy — the space between opposites. Tradition and modernity. Fire and freshness. Comfort and curiosity. Every plate exists in that in-between: edited, intentional and quietly assured.
From the gentle balance associated with Cantonese technique to Sichuan’s calibrated warmth; from Jiangsu’s precise, articulate broths to Hunan’s assertive fermented undertones — the Eight Cuisines function not as strict boundaries, but as intellectual reference points. Their influence is subtle, felt rather than declared.
Seafood naturally anchors the menu, reflecting both coastal Chinese traditions and Goa’s own enduring relationship with the sea. Scallops, prawns, sea bass and black cod are handled with clarity and restraint, accompanied by ginger, garlic, Shaoxing wine, fermented chilli and delicate broths that preserve ingredient integrity. Spice unfolds gradually. Sauces support without overshadowing. Technique remains exacting but never theatrical.
Dim sum is treated as craft — each piece deliberate and precise. Vegetables receive equal attention: mushrooms, lotus root, tofu and seasonal produce explored through texture-driven, plant-forward preparations inspired by mountain cooking philosophies. Fire and smoke appear subtly, through gentle charring and slow cooking that lend warmth without aggression. The result is cuisine that feels both comforting and intellectually composed.
For Chef Avinash, the transformation begins long before service. The Eight Great Cuisines were a starting point, not a template. The inquiry was philosophical: how does an ingredient behave under restraint? How does flavour evolve across the palate? When does simplicity create greater resonance than complexity?
By decoding technique rather than recreating heritage dishes, the menu achieves authenticity without rigidity — modern in expression yet emotionally connected to its roots. The storytelling happens organically, through balance and texture rather than overt explanation.
The experience extends seamlessly into the bar. A thoughtfully structured cocktail programme mirrors the same philosophy, drawing from Chinese teas, spices, citrus peels and fermented elements. The progression moves with intention — from light aperitifs to layered, contemplative serves designed to accompany the arc of the meal.
Marking transitions is the restaurant’s gong service ritual — a moment of pause and shared presence that signals shifts within the dining journey. Rooted in tradition yet contemporary in interpretation, it reinforces that Spice Traders is not merely a restaurant, but a carefully choreographed experience.
With this renewed culinary direction, Spice Traders at W Goa charts a distinct path for Chinese dining in India — not a tour across regions, but across ideas, flavours and time. An old story, retold with clarity, balance and quiet confidence.
Quick facts
Address: 495/2, Beach Road, Chapora, Vagator, Goa
Timings: 1p.m to 11p.m
Cost for Two: 4200/