Happy Chinese New Year – 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè)! This February 10th marks the beginning of The Year of the Dragon and here are some places you can celebrate with a flavour of China right here in Galway...
News Drinks to Celebrate a New Year
Nana's Tea on High Street are celebrating the Chinese New Year with the launch of a brand new drinks menu! Available from Saturday February 3rd, in this Year of the Dragon, Nana's Tea are inviting you to embrace the spirit of power, strength, and good fortune. Immerse yourself in the magic of tradition with their limited edition Dragon Mochi Set - Creamy Strawberry Mochi Milk Tea & Creamy Oreo Mochi Milk Tea. Make sure to pop in this Chinese New Year and taste these yummy drinks along with a bubble waffle topped with all your favourite flavours.
above: photo courtesy of Nana's Tea
Sample Some Chinese Street Food
If you wanted something a bit more substantial, you could head to RÉ TEA on Quay Street for a quick lunch this Chinese New Year. Their Jianbing is one of China’s most famous street food specialties: a thin and crispy pancake, like a crepe - but better! They are served with a choice of slow-cooked duck, beef, or a veg. For something sweeter, they have the Nutella and Strawberry Jianbing or simply drizzled with lemon and sugar...
above: photo courtesy of Ré Tea
Start The Year with a Chinese Feast
If it's a proper Chinese feast you're after, get your friends and family together and order a massive takeaway from Xi'an Street Food! It's not just spice bags they are famous for; their huge, varied menu is packed with authentic Chinese dishes such as handmade Biang Biang Noodles, fluffy and crispy Roujiamo burgers, and lots more. Order a few dishes to share so you can discover all the flavours of China! Order now via Deliveroo or their website xianstreetfood.ie.
above: photo courtesy of Xian Street Food
Toast The New Year with Xin Gin
Designed to be at the heart of gatherings, Xin Gin’s founders Michelle and Gareth McAllister have Irish blood and Asian hearts. After spending many years in Asia, they wanted to merge what they loved about their two homes. The word Xin itself means ‘heart’ or ‘feelings’ in Mandarin. The design of the bottle, with ancient Celtic swirls contrasted with a modern Eastern aesthetic reflects the liquid inside – a perfect balance of European and Oriental botanicals. The cross shaped label represents a promise to stay connected and a crossing point of the two cultures they love. Xin Gin has won multiple awards, so we reckon it's the perfect tipple the toast the Year of the Dragon! Tap here to find out more, discover cocktail recipes and order a bottle for yourself.
above: photo courtesy of Ahascragh Distillery
Watch a Classic on the Big Screen
The East Asia Film Festival Ireland (EAFFI) is delighted to present The Scent of Green Papaya at Pálás Cinema to celebrate Lunar New Year 2024: Year of the Dragon. The first part of his Vietnam Trilogy, The Scent of Green Papaya is French-Vietnamese writer-director Trần Anh Hùng’s (The Taste of Things, 2023) brilliant debut feature, set in 1950/60s Saigon. In a subtle exploration of female characters, the story unfolds in two parts beginning in 1951. In the interiors of a house and garden with a papaya tree, domestic chores and the intimate life of a wealthy but troubled family and their servants unfold. The slow decline of a society, its family life, gender and class, mirrors the coming-of-age and romantic blossoming of servant girl Mùi. Sparse dialogue and elaborate compositions in a precise palette of colours, textures and sounds (birds, insects, plants, food preparation, clothes, interiors and piano), combine with fluid tracking shots to create a languorous and sensual cinema full of palpable sensations. A pioneer of lyrical and evocative films! Get your tickets here.
Celebrate with an Asian Fusion takeaway
Umbrella Asian Tapas specialises in Asian-style sharing plates which is the perfect meal for welcoming in a New Year and saying goodbye to an old one. Try some new flavours and go out of your food comfort zone by ordering dishes you've never had before, why because it's a new year and new you. Spring rolls, all kinds of sticky and delicious chicken skewers, sushi, fried noodles, BBQ ribs and aromatic duck pancakes… Are you convinced yet?? Tap here to discover the variety of dishes available at Umbrella and to place your order.
above: photo courtesy of Umbrella Asian Tapas
Feature photo by Shreyaan Vashishtha, via Pexels
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