Chinese New Year 2022…Eat, Drink & Celebrate!
Happy Chinese New Year! Here’s our quick guide to the Chinese zodiac, the significance of the new year and THE places to get your Chinese food fix!
CSL Mag
01 February 2022
Today (February 1st) marks the official start of Chinese New Year! Read on for a quick guide to the Chinese zodiac, the significance of the new year and the places to get your Chinese food fix!
Chinese Astrology
The Chinese zodiac or the Shēngxiào (生肖), is comprised of 10 ‘heavenly stems’ (relating to the ‘yin’ or ‘yang’, two contrary forces, of 5 elements) and 12 ‘earthly branches’ (relating each year to an animal and its reputed attributes). From this sexagenary cycle, a skilled Chinese fortune teller can work out your personal attributes and future predictions in life. Whether you believe in the concept or just see it as a bit of fun, there’s no doubt that it adds some excitement during the long dark Luxembourgish winter.
In China, you’ll hear it being called chunjie (春节), or the Spring Festival. As in Lux, it’s still very wintry, but the holiday marks the end of the coldest days. Join in welcoming spring and add some greenery to your environment in the form of a plant which marks: new beginnings and fresh starts. You can also wear red, which is linked to life and luck in Chinese culture, to usher in extra blessings this year.
The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar (this year February 15th). A beautiful display of lanterns are lit and released into the night sky, signifying the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
Find out your animal and what it means for you through the links below*.
Are you a Tiger?! 2022 is your year. Unfortunately for Tiger signs, it’s their year of offending Fan Tai Sui – the powerful Guardian God of the Year that governs all the fortunes of the year. They are expected to face many challenges. However, wearing red underwear and socks is said to help Tigers ward off misfortune.
People born in a year of the Tiger are predicted to be brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident.
Restaurants to celebrate Chinese New Year in…
If you’re in the mood to celebrate or just want to know the best places to get good Chinese food in Luxembourg, you’re in luck. CSL and its readers have put together a list of our favourite Chinese restaurants to celebrate in this year!
Confucius
So lucky for us that there are two of them: Confucius and The New Confucius. They offer Chinese specialities from 4 major regions of China (Beijing, Quandong, Shanghai and Szechuan), combining the 5 different tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and spicy.
City Savvy recommends their spring rolls and the Poulet Spécial Piquant, which isn’t as spicy as it sounds and would probably be OK for young children, followed by their special egg fried rice. NB: go there on a very empty stomach because you will not want to leave anything on your plate
- Good for: a culinary tour of China!
Where: Confucius: 24-28 av. Victor Hugo, L-1750 Limpertsberg, Luxembourg
New Confucius: 187 Rue des Aubépines, L-1145 Strassen, Luxembourg
When: Daily from 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 10:30pm
Contact: 26 26 26 16, info@confucius.lu
Website
L’Hirondelle Royale
A must for those who love excellent, freshly prepared food at great prices; this family-run restaurant boasts a wonderful buffet lunch from Tuesdays to Fridays. The staff are incredibly friendly and the set menus great value for money. The chef is from Hong Kong and so the Cantonese dishes are the best to go for. We recommend the 5-spice fried chicken (or frog’s legs!), but you’ll probably get them as a Chinese ‘amuse-bouche’.
- Good for: Cheap tasty food with friendly service
Where: 1, Rue Mathias Hertert, L-1729 Luxembourg
When: Open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday 12pm to 2:30pm; Tuesday-Sunday 6pm to 11pm (and Mondays that fall on a holiday)
Contact: 33 18 49
Website
Laotse
We think this Chinese restaurant is one of the best in Luxembourg. More than two decades old, it is a go-to restaurant for many craving some Chinese food. You can find the typical “more European” dishes many of us are familiar with, but you can also find authentic cuisine. If you’re kind and ask for suggestions, the staff is always more than willing to help you find lesser-known but delicious dishes.
- Good for: authentic Chinese cuisine made with quality ingredients
Where: 2 Rue de Medingen, 5335 Contern
When: Open Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-2pm & 6pm-11pm
Contact: 35 03 45
Website
Hong Kong House
If you’ve been wondering where to have dim sum, wonder no longer and wander to the Gare. You’ll find yourself dining with Chinese customers who know where to get an authentic meal in the Duchy. The dumplings are made to order by the chef and there’s a great variety, including sui mai, char sui bao and sticky rice in lotus leaves. There’s also Peking duck and a hot pot to be savoured.
- Good for: when only a dumpling will do
Where: 10, rue de Bonnevoie, Luxembourg City 1260
When: Open Monday to Saturday for lunch; Monday to Sunday for dinner – book here.
Contact: 26 18 78 97
Website
Couronne Royale
Further afield, but worth the drive for this unique restaurant, which offers Chinese dishes not to be found elsewhere in the Duchy. Not the cheapest of eats, but quality does have its price and in this case, the service is also wonderful – do ask the staff what they recommend and expect some great dishes served with a smile. Catering for satisfied customers since 1992.
- Good for: an established gem that’s worth the drive
Where: 29, avenue de la Gare, Petange 4734
When: Open Wednesday to Sunday from12:00 – 14:30 and 18:00 – 22:30
Contact: 50 33 79
Website
Origami.
Vegetarians and vegans often have a hard time finding suitable Chinese dishes. Often even veggie dishes are cooked in sauces containing animal products. Origami comes to the rescue with its vegan menu. From starters to dessert, you can choose from a variety of delicious and animal-free options. We highly recommend the vegan “chicken” and cashew dish!
- Good for: vegan Chinese cuisine
Where: 14 Av. du Rock’n’Roll, 4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
When: Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30am-2:30pm & 6pm-10pm; Sunday from 6pm-10pm; Monday from 12pm-2:30pm & 6pm-10pm
Contact: 27 99 89 90
Website
More Chinese Restaurants to Try:
- Peppermint
- Mont St Lambert
- Restaurant Nouvelle Etoile
- Palais de Chine
- Restaurant Xing-Long
- Le Régent
- Chang Man
