Lunar New Year is almost upon us and Birmingham has a lot planned to celebrate the occasion. Popularly known as the Chinese New Year - it is one of the most important holidays in East Asian cultures.
However, the holiday - which falls on January 22 in 2023 - has been rebranded in Birmingham to be more inclusive because it is celebrated across multiple East Asian cultures.
One of the best parts of any holiday - be it Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year - is the amazing food we share with friends and family - and the Lunar New Year is similar.
Traditionally, Lunar New Year food includes noodles, a whole steamed fish, sticky rice balls, dumplings, rice cakes and more. The noodles are long and denote longevity, while the fish is for abundance and the sticky rice balls are for togetherness.
If you want a taste of East Asian food on Lunar New Year, here are nine best restaurants in Birmingham, based on Google ratings:
1. Peach Garden
It’s a small restaurant in Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter that may not be well known but the reviews on Tripadvisor show that it’s a hidden gem. Many people have complimented the restaurant for its generous serving size and options on the menu. Google rating - 4 Location - Ladywell Walk, Chinese Quarter (Photo - Google Street View)
2. Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant
Ming Moon has a modern setting with an open kitchen, but the best part is that it is a buffet restaurant. So, if you are looking for a big meal with the family, this all-you-can-eat restaurant might be the best place to land up in. Google rating - 4.1 Location - Hurst Street, Chinese Quarter (Photo - Google Street View)
3. Chung Ying Cantonese, China Town. Birmingham
The oldest Chinese restaurant in the city in the Chinese Quarter - Chung Ying has the best Dumplings and they won an award in 2022 to prove it. They won Best Dumplings in the UK at The Golden Chopsticks Awards in 2022. Google rating - 4.2 Location - Wrottesley Street, Chinese Quarter (Photo - Laura McEwan)
4. XiongQi Hotpot
Hotpots are meant to be shared because it is a social meal. It’s basically a flavorful broth in which raw ingredients like meat and vegetables are dropped while it simmers on the table. This highly-rated restaurant in Birmingham is definitely not one to be missed. Google rating - 4.3 Location - Essex Street, Chinese Quarter