Top 5 ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year

Tea House

The Chinese New Year is a celebration of food and family

The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese Lunar calendar. This year it starts on Thursday, February 3. To celebrate, Chinese people often attend festivals and fireworks. But most important, they get together with their families and share traditional feasts.

As you might have already known, you don't have to be Chinese to enjoy Chinese food. Here are five ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the Twin Cities.

Tea House

Share some dumplings for a family brunch

5. New Year's dim sum at Tea House Plymouth
Get together with your family and friends over dumplings and congee at Tea House in Plymouth. The Szechuan restaurant is serving Chinese-style brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The special dim sum runs until February 27 and costs $12.95 per person

Tea House
88 Nathan Lane, Plymouth
763.544.3422; website

Mandarin Kitchen

Seafoods aplenty

4. New Year's specials at Mandarin Kitchen
In case you needed a reason to dig your chopsticks into enticing seafood dishes, Chinese people consider opening an oyster or scallop shell to be like the opening of a fresh new year. Dried seafoods in particular are a part of the Chinese custom of stocking up for the New Year. Dried oysters are called "ho see," which sounds like good deeds, good fortune, or prosperity. Head over to the popular Bloomington spot for special dishes like dried oysters with Chinese vegetables. They will not only taste great but will bring you good fortune. New Year's specials are available for a week from February 3 to 10.

Mandarin Kitchen
8766 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington
952.884.5356; website

Hong Kong Noodle

Houes of lucky foods

3. More seafood at Hong Kong Noodle
Because you can never have too much good seafood, or too much good fortune, for that matter, Hong Kong Noodle offers a bountiful seafood feast. On New Year's Eve (February 2) and New Year's Day (February 3), the Dinkytown favorite is offering special dishes with shrimp, crab, and lobster. The Chinese word for shrimp sounds like the one for laughter and is known to bring happiness.

Hong Kong Noodle
901 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis
612.379.9472; website

Big Bowl

Noodles symbolize long life

2. New Year's Celebration at Big Bowl
It may not always be the most traditional restaurant, but Big Bowl is having the biggest Chinese New Year celebration in town. From February 2 to 6, all three Minnesota locations of the Asian fusion restaurant are offering special dishes for the Year of the Rabbit by actually serving rabbit on the menu. Executive chef Marc Bernard's specials include Long Life Noodles with Sichuan Rabbit and Chive Blossoms, and Crab Wonton with BBQ Rabbit Soup. In addition, Big Bowl is giving away gift cards and offering special discounts throughout the celebration period. And you don't want to miss Make Way for Dumplings, a free cooking class on making dumplings at the Galleria location on Saturday, February 5.

Big Bowl
Rosedale, 1705 Hwy. 36 W., Roseville; 651.636.7173
3669 Galleria, Edina; 952-928-7888
Ridgedale, 12649 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka; 952.797.9888
website

Find your nian gao at United Noodles

1. Nian gao at United Noodles
If you prefer celebrating at home, stock up on some New Year's treats at United Noodles.
With its sweetness and adherence, nian gao, a sticky rice cake, is a must for good luck.

Lightly battered in egg and pan-fried, nian gao is a favorite New Year treat

Cut the cake into quarters, and then into thin slices 2 to 3 inches long and 1/4-inch wide. Dip the cake slices in an egg wash. Then, heat a non-stick pan to medium and cook the egg-battered nian gao until both sides brown nicely.

United Noodles
2015 E 24th Street, Minneapolis
612.721.6677; website