• Long noodles: Eating long noodles during Chinese New Year symbolises a long life, so grab a bowl for luck and longevity. Shang Palace in the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi will offer a four-course set menu designed by executive chef Jeff Tan. Try the wok-braised Ee-fu noodles with river prawns and spicy scallop sauce along with many other traditional New Year dishes. There will also be a customary lion dance ceremony on February 19 from 11.30am onward. The set menu will be available for dinner from February 18-March 4; Dh338 per person. Call 02 509 8503. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri.
    Long noodles: Eating long noodles during Chinese New Year symbolises a long life, so grab a bowl for luck and longevity. Shang Palace in the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi will offer a four-course set menu designed by executive chef Jeff Tan. Try the wok-braised Ee-fu noodles with river prawns and spicy scallop sauce along with many other traditional New Year dishes. There will also be a customary lion dance ceremony on February 19 from 11.30am onward. The set menu will be available for dinner from February 18-March 4; Dh338 per person. Call 02 509 8503. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri.
  • Yusheng: Yusheng (also called lo hei) is a Teochew-style raw fish salad that is ceremonially tossed to bring good fortune. The higher you toss the salad, the longer your luck will last. Yusheng is on the menu at Ba Restaurant & Lounge in Dubai at Fairmont The Palm. In addition, guests can sample several Chinese specialities in a set menu from February 18-21. Those who were born in previous years of the goat/sheep (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979 and 1991) will get a free beverage and every guest will leave with a gift. Call 04 457 3388. Courtesy of Ba Restaurant & Lounge
    Yusheng: Yusheng (also called lo hei) is a Teochew-style raw fish salad that is ceremonially tossed to bring good fortune. The higher you toss the salad, the longer your luck will last. Yusheng is on the menu at Ba Restaurant & Lounge in Dubai at Fairmont The Palm. In addition, guests can sample several Chinese specialities in a set menu from February 18-21. Those who were born in previous years of the goat/sheep (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979 and 1991) will get a free beverage and every guest will leave with a gift. Call 04 457 3388. Courtesy of Ba Restaurant & Lounge
  • Duck: Duck symbolises fidelity in Chinese culture and really, what would a Chinese menu be without at least one duck dish? To celebrate the New Year, Toshi at the Grand Millennium Dubai will offer a Peking duck station at their traditional Chinese buffet on February 18-19. Other bites to try include the dim sum, wok-fried crab cakes and moon cakes; Dh199+. Call 04 429 9999. Courtesy Grand Millennium Dubai
    Duck: Duck symbolises fidelity in Chinese culture and really, what would a Chinese menu be without at least one duck dish? To celebrate the New Year, Toshi at the Grand Millennium Dubai will offer a Peking duck station at their traditional Chinese buffet on February 18-19. Other bites to try include the dim sum, wok-fried crab cakes and moon cakes; Dh199+. Call 04 429 9999. Courtesy Grand Millennium Dubai
  • Fish: The Chinese word for fish sounds like surplus so it’s no surprise fish plays a central role in Chinese New Year meals. Often, but not always, served whole, fish celebrates the idea that if you can end the year with a little extra money – a surplus – then you can make even more the next year. Head to Hong Loong at the Sofitel The Palm Dubai for the shrimp dumplings; sea conch and fish fin’s broth; steamed garoupa; and braised eight-treasure, sun-diced seafood. Get your fill of fish – and luck – at Hong Loong from February 18-21; Dh588 per person. Call 04 448 4733. Courtesy Sofitel The Palm Dubai
    Fish: The Chinese word for fish sounds like surplus so it’s no surprise fish plays a central role in Chinese New Year meals. Often, but not always, served whole, fish celebrates the idea that if you can end the year with a little extra money – a surplus – then you can make even more the next year. Head to Hong Loong at the Sofitel The Palm Dubai for the shrimp dumplings; sea conch and fish fin’s broth; steamed garoupa; and braised eight-treasure, sun-diced seafood. Get your fill of fish – and luck – at Hong Loong from February 18-21; Dh588 per person. Call 04 448 4733. Courtesy Sofitel The Palm Dubai
  • Dumplings: Chinese dumplings are an important food for New Year’s Eve on tables throughout China. Because they’re shaped like ancient silver and gold ingots, dumplings symbolise wealth. It’s believed that the more dumplings you eat during New Year festivities, the more money you’ll make in the new year. You’ll find dumplings on most Chinese New Year menus, but try out the Dim Sum Happy Hour at Li Jiang at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. From February 17-28, guests can get a basket of five dumplings along with a traditional Asian beverage for just Dh70. From 6pm to 8pm nightly. Li Jiang will also offer a five-course set menu through February 24 that will feature a range of traditional dishes for Chinese New Year; Dh500 for two. Call 02 818 8282. Courtesy Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
    Dumplings: Chinese dumplings are an important food for New Year’s Eve on tables throughout China. Because they’re shaped like ancient silver and gold ingots, dumplings symbolise wealth. It’s believed that the more dumplings you eat during New Year festivities, the more money you’ll make in the new year. You’ll find dumplings on most Chinese New Year menus, but try out the Dim Sum Happy Hour at Li Jiang at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. From February 17-28, guests can get a basket of five dumplings along with a traditional Asian beverage for just Dh70. From 6pm to 8pm nightly. Li Jiang will also offer a five-course set menu through February 24 that will feature a range of traditional dishes for Chinese New Year; Dh500 for two. Call 02 818 8282. Courtesy Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

Try these delicious dishes for Chinese New Year’s – in pictures


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Ring in Chinese New Year – on February 19 this year – with our pick of delicious dishes that are all on the menu at various restaurants in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

sjohnson@thenational.ae