5 Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2020 in Kolkata
Special menu to celebrate beginning of the Year of the Rat!
24 Jan, 2020 by Madhushree Basu Roy
PC: Wagyu Beef Noodles (Yauatcha, Quest Mall, Ballygunge )
It is the beginning of the 12-year animal cycle in the Chinese calendar and it starts with a rat. It is the year of the rat and it symbolises qualities of wealth and optimism, much needed today. Kolkata has a deep-rooted connection with Chinese culture. The first Chinese settler Tong Achew landed in Kolkata in the late 18th century and since then, the population has grown considerably. Now, there are second and third-generation Chinese settlers in Kolkata. Some of them opened Chinese restaurants and eating houses in Tangra and Tirreti Bazar and these places remain a favourite with the locals. On Chinese New Year, there are dragon dances in these two places along with home-made delicacies. That aside, there are several Chinese and Oriental restaurants in the city which are celebrating Chinese New Year 2020 with a specially crafted menu.
Vintage Asia, JW Marriott Kolkata
Location - JBS Haldane Avenue, Science City Area
This beautiful signature restaurant by JW Marriott Kolkata has a spectacular menu for the Chinese New Year.
Deep-fried Black Pepper Mixed Vegetables Wrapped in Taro Skin
Since it is the year of the rat, there are these cute little floss rats made with deep-fried black pepper mixed vegetables wrapped in taro skin, which are simply fabulous to taste. Steamed Chicken Siumai with Scallops topped with Caviar, stir-fried Radish Cake with XO Sauce, Sweet and Sour Crispy Bhekti Filet, braised fragrant Rice with Vegetable Fujian style and more are there in this menu.
Passion Fruit
Sweet Dumplings with a Passion Fruit Jelly Centre is a must-try in desserts. The menu is designed on a la carte basis only.
Price for 2 - INR 3500 plus GST
Availability - until the 26th of January 2020
Yauatcha, Quest Mall, Ballygunge
Location - Quest Mall, 5th Floor, Park Circus Area
Since its inception in Kolkata, Yauatcha has been celebrating Chinese New Year and each year they bring something new to the table.
Dim Sum Trio
This limited edition menu will consist of authentic Chinese dishes like Crispy Rice and Black Cod served with Pickled Golden Beets and Mango Chili Sauce, a Lohan Vegetable Claypit with Bamboo Shoot, Lotus Seed, Cloud Ear, Mushroom and Black Truffle and more. Wok tossed Tenderloin with hand-pulled Noodle, Courgette, Bean Sprout and Red Pepper is an absolute must-have dish.
Shanghai Dumplings
They have these dishes as a part of a set menu as well as on a la carte basis. Along with food, their expert mixologists have prepared an exclusive cocktail with Tanqueray No. Ten Gin, Vermouth del Professore Classico, Champagne, Lychee and a White Peony Tea infusion.
Price for 2 - INR 2500 plus tax without alcohol
Availability: until the 19th of February 2020
Ping's Cafe Orient, Park Street Area, Kolkata
Location - Park Street Area
Known for their snazzy Pan Asian and Oriental food, some from the streets of South East Asia and some classics, they are doing a special Chinese New Year menu. You can start your celebration with Chinese street style Cucumber Salad, which has a punchy Chilli Sesame dressing with Black Fungus Mushroom with Vermicelli Noodles. A light and flavourful broth with Fish Balls and Noodles is a must-try. Pork Gyoza, Hakka style Braised Pork Belly, Air fried Whole Pomfret for the health-conscious, an assortment of Ice cream in Matcha, Mango and Chocolate flavours with pounded Sticky Rice and more is there in a special menu.
Price for 2 - INR 1500 plus tax approximately without alcohol
Availability: until the 29th of January 2020
Multiple Locations
Mainland China needs no introduction when it comes to Chinese food and the locals have always preferred this brand. From Steamed Vegetable Dumplings Sichuan Style, Philadelphia Cheese Dumplings to Pickled Coriander Chicken, crispy Bombay Duck with Sriracha to sizzling Lamb with Cumin and more, find their way into the appetiser section. The main course is a medley of flavours from Sliced Chicken with Pickled Chilli and Black Beans to Fortune Clay Pit Vegetables. Sanpei Chicken with diced pieces in a dark Soy-based Sauce with Black Beans and Basil is a must-try dish. Celery and Chinese Cabbage Fried Rice is light and has a nice bite to it.
Price for 2 - INR 2000 plus tax approximately
Availability: until the end of January 2020
Tak Heng Southern Avenue, Kolkata
Location: Keyatala Road, Southern Avenue Area
With lip-smacking Chinese food, this restaurant, far away from China Town, is serving fantastic Tangra style Chinese food in South Kolkata. They have created a Chinese New Year menu in line with the traditions and customs with regards to the new year and the Chinese zodiac. Shitake Mushroom and Tofu Soup with a variation of Chicken, a variety of spring rolls and other dim sums, wontons along with an array of Chinese specialities from their kitchen will be available in the new year menu.
Price for 2 - INR 900 approximately
Written By
For someone who's run two restaurants, being a baker and cook par excellence comes easily to Madhushree . When she's not eating out, she's organizing her own pop ups or experimenting with regional recipes. Her experiments with food and her recipes are part of Pikturenama , where she's a co founder.
