Celebrate the Year of the Snake — and discover a new Asian restaurant — using this guide
Wednesday marks the first day of the Lunar New Year, and restaurants all over town will be celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Snake.
Although I’m a rat — Zodiacally speaking — I’m always up to celebrate Lunar New Year, which is an extra fun day to dine out in Wichita, as many restaurants, grocery stores and boba shops traditionally invite one of Wichita’s dragon and lion dance teams to perform. Some businesses even pass out red envelopes filled with cash — also known as “lucky money.”
Although I usually take in the day at Saigon Oriental Restaurant at 1103 E. Broadway, last year, we joined the party at Kimson Asian Food Market, 960 E. Pawnee, which filled the parking lot with color and energy. Afterwards, I went into the market and shopped for ingredients to make my own Lunar New Year meal at home.
This year would be an especially good one to follow the performance teams around town. They’re mostly visiting new restaurants (many of which I still need to try) and places they didn’t go last year.
Following is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour list of the local food businesses that will have dancers, giveaways and food specials in honor of the Lunar New Year.
If you know of a celebration I missed, email me at dneil@wichitaeagle.com and I’ll add it.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Eggroll Express ICT, 331 W. 31st St. South: This restaurant will be putting on its Second Annual Lunar New Year celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be giving away a free hot meal to go of chicken fried rice, egg roll and a drink.
11:30 a.m. — Kimson Asian Market, 960 E. Pawnee: This Asian market will welcome the All Saints Lion & Dragon Dancers.
Noon — Saigon Oriental Restaurant, 1103 N. Broadway: The St. Anthony Lion & Dragon Dance Team will perform at this popular Vietnamese restaurant.
1:30 p.m. —Kim’s Noodles Bar & Grill, 10919 E. Harry: This Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant will feature the All Saints Lion & Dragon Dancers.
4 p.m. — Dolphin Restaurant, 2959 S. Hillside: This Vietnamese restaurant will feature the All Saints Lion & Dragon Dancers.
Thursday, Jan. 30
12:45 p.m. — Pho Special, 2409 E. Pawnee: The St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team will perform at this Vietnamese restaurant.
Saturday, Feb. 1
10 a.m. — Paris Banh Mi, 2560 S. Seneca: The St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team will perform at the west-side location of this Vietnamese sandwich restaurant.
Noon — T-Swirl Crepe, 2431 N. Greenwich: The St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team will perform at this crepe restaurant.
12:30 p.m. — Pho Special, 2409 E. Pawnee: The All Saints Lion & Dragon Dance Team will perform at this Vietnamese restaurant.
12:45 p.m. — Paris Banh Mi, 2350 N. Greenwich: The St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team will perform at the east-side location of this Vietnamese sandwich restaurant.
2 p.m. — Sharetea, 8027 E Peachtree Lane: This boba shop will host the All Saints Lion & Dragon Dance Team.
2 p.m. — Coffee Daze, 3236 E. Douglas: The St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team will perform at this popular coffee shop.
3 p.m. — Yum Mi Express, 6254 E. 37th St. North: This new Asian restaurant will host the St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team.
6 p.m. — Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich: This pickleball venue and restaurant will be the site of a performance by the All Saints Lion & Dragon Dance Team.
6:30 p.m. — P.F. Chang’s, 1401 Waterfront Parkway: The St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team will perform at this Chinese restaurant chain.
Sunday, Feb. 2
10:15 a.m. — Pho Le’s Noodles & Sandwiches, 2949 N. Rock Road: This Vietnamese restaurant at 29th and Rock will host the St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team.
2 p.m. — Pho Cao, 9203 W. Central: The St. Anthony’s Lion & Dragon Dance team. will perform at this Vietnamese restaurant.
Also
Feng Cha, 8007 E. Kellogg: The staff at this boba shop has set up an elaborate Lunar New Year photo booth that features a real Vespa people can use while posing. The booth will be up throughout the weekend.
.jpg)