Michelin highlights 2 NC restaurants among places to celebrate Lunar New Year
Two North Carolina restaurants are among North America’s best places to celebrate the Year of the Horse with Asian dishes, the Michelin Guide says.
The Lunar New Year celebrates the beginning of a new year in China’s lunisolar calendar, although many other Asian countries celebrate the holiday, as well. Lunar New Year celebrations stretch this year from Feb. 17-27, with red decorations and family gatherings, plus firecrackers and lantern festivals.
Elaborate meals are also key, which is where the Michelin Guide has stepped in to help.
Lang Van in Charlotte
Charlotte’s Lang Van was highlighted for its crispy fried spring rolls — also called nem rán or as chả giò — usually made with minced pork, glass noodles, wood ear mushrooms and aromatics.
The Michelin Guide called the spring rolls are a fixture of celebrations for Tết — Vietnamese New Year — and made in large batches to share across generations. “Their presence on the table reflects care, patience and a belief in prosperity built through collective effort — food that brings people back to the table again and again,” the article said.
We’ll also note that while you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, other standout appetizers to try include the goi cuon summer rolls and the crispy bánh xèo pancake, a dish “Top Chef” host Kisten Kich enjoyed while filming in Charlotte.
Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh
Among the other foods the Michelin Guide calls out as “iconic” are the hand-folded jaiozi dumplings at Brewery Bhavana in Raleigh, which was honored with Michelin-recommended status. The curved-shaped Chinese dumplings are a symbol of wealth and new beginnings, the guide’s article explained.
At Brewery Bhavana, the hand-made dumplings are filled with chicken, ginger, bok choi and water chestnuts, then pan-fried and served with house dumpling sauce. If you’re looking to try even more there, we hear the bao is a spectacular choice.
Brewery Bhavana
Location: 218 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Cuisine: Chinese, dim sum
Instagram: @brewerybhavana
Lang Van
Location: 3019 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
Cuisine: Vietnamese
