Lunar New Year

3 Recipes to celebrate...

Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Ireland has become more and more exciting as our culinary landscape has been enriched by the vibrant flavours and diverse offerings from the fantastic Asian shops and restaurants across the country. My first stop around this time of year is Asia Market on Drury Street, a treasure trove of authentic Asian ingredients that cater to the growing appetite for global cuisines. They also have a wonderful online shop where you can stock up ahead of the celebrations.

If you don’t fancy cooking up a storm this Lunar New Year, Dublin has a huge selection of great places to eat. I love Arisu, a Korean BBQ restaurant on Capel Street, Ka Shing for dumplings on Wicklow Street and a more recent addition to the scene, Nan Chinese, serving up Huaiyang cuisine and particularly good Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings).

However I do encourage you to embrace the spirit of this festive occasion and try these three recipes that are inspired and pay homage to the rich tapestry of Asian flavours:

Hainanese Chicken

Firstly, Hainanese Chicken, I tried this simple but incredibly delicious dish in Singapore and fell in love. Originating from Hainan, China, this dish has found its way into the hearts and tables of many across the globe. In this recipe, succulent chicken is poached to perfection and its broth forms the base to cook and flavour fragrant rice. Accompanied by a dipping sauce infused with ginger and soy, this recipe is a lesson in simplicity.

Get the recipe HERE.

Yaki Udon

This is a brilliant Japanese stir-fried noodle dish to master, bursting with umami goodness it will make a great addition to your feast. This recipe combines thick udon noodles with a medley of colourful vegetables and your choice of protein, all stir-fried to savoury perfection. 

Get the recipe HERE.

Chilli & Lemongrass Chicken

A recipe I picked up on my travels in Vietnam was this Chilli & Lemongrass Chicken. This recipe draws inspiration from the bold and aromatic flavours of Southeast Asia. Tender strips of chicken are marinated in a simple but aromatic blend of chilli, lemongrass, and curry powder, creating a dish that is both fiery and fragrant. Served with steamed rice, this dish is a wonderful fusion of flavours that would be a welcome addition to the Lunar New Year festivities.

Get the recipe HERE.