Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year In LA, Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Welcome to the Year of the Tiger. The Lunar New Year Festival, celebrated predominantly by East Asian countries like China, Vietnam, Mongolia, and South Korea, started on Monday, February 1st. Traditionally, this two-week period is a time to embrace the new year, honor deities and ancestors, and of course, feast.

This year represents the Water Tiger (2022, 1962) and is associated with going with the flow, bravery, and fighting evil spirits. Hopefully that means Nate Jacobs will go down on Euphoria this season, but we’ll see.

Traditions include wearing red for good luck, lighting candles, putting up auspicious decorations, giving envelopes and other gifts, and watching fireworks or lion dancing. Don’t know where to start? Here’s where to celebrate Lunar New Year in LA, according to your zodiac sign. 

Photo by Andrea D'Agosto

Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

Rats are the first animal in the zodiac, known for being quick and clever thinkers who enjoy a quiet, peaceful life. They’re seen as a sign of wealth and surplus, even stinginess, and love saving money. Your Lunar New Year celebration is: a virtual dumpling party with chef Mei Lin of Daybird and (formerly) Nightshade. The free event is put on by the Asian American Girl Club in collaboration with Cocokind, where you’ll learn to make dumplings from scratch and participate in an astrological Lunar New Year reading.

Photo by Jakob Layman

Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)

A workhorse in the field and zodiac, the almighty Ox can shoulder any load. They are intelligent, reliable, and honest; hard workers who prefer things to be low-key. Take a break and celebrate the Lunar New Year with dinner at Foo Chow in Chinatown. The casual Chinese restaurant specializes in comfort dishes like sweet and sour pork, wonton soup, and orange chicken, all of which you can enjoy in the shadow of their large, jade-green building.  

Photo by Ira Edelman

Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

It’s said that your own zodiac year can be unlucky, but tigers are courageous and active people who love a challenge. They are vigorous, ambitious, and like to live adventurously. Your Lunar New Year celebration is an all-star dosirak, a limited-edition collaboration between Seoul Sausage, RiceBox, Go Cakes, Loaf Language, and The Joseon. The Korean and Chinese American restaurants/companies created this box ($48) filled with banchan, honey butter Korean fried chicken, char siu, and more.   

Photo by Steep

Rabbit (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)

Rabbits represent the moon. They’re intellectual and honest with everything they do, and enjoy surprises. With Steep’s Lunar New Year Fortune Boxes ($55), you won’t need to stick to some boring plan—the Chinatown tea shop is offering a special gift box filled with radish cakes, onion scones, milk dates, and your choice of loose-leaf tea. 

Photo by Le Meridien

Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2021)

Strong and independent, Dragons are the most revered animals in all of Chinese culture, but also need lots of love and support. They’re known to have a serious nature and high self-esteem, so what could be more serious than high tea? In honor of LNY, the Le Méridien hotel in Arcadia is serving a themed tea complete with braised pork belly, red date mochi, and peanut sesame candy. 

Photo by Jakob Layman

Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)

Snakes love with their entire hearts, and despite their vicious depictions in the West, are actually quite humorous and sophisticated. Although Lunasia’s dining room is still closed, the Alhambra dim sum house is the perfect place for any snake to create a chic LNY brunch, full of har-gow, jumbo pork shumai, green beans, and spinach shrimp dumplings.

Photo by Phoenix Bakery

Horse (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014)

Horses need to be free, end of story. They are spirits who need space to be themselves, and tend to be indecisive and leave things to fate. At Phoenix Bakery, a legendary Chinatown institution, you don’t need a plan—their dessert cases are filled with strawberry cream cakes, freshly steamed buns, flaky almond pastries, and more. Just ask for a box and let fate decide.

Photo by K&M

Goat (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)

Goats are like Virgos—extremely meticulous, can persevere through anything, and are slightly hard-headed. But they are also loving and pure, selfless, and kind. They adore animals and children, keep very tidy, and never act brashly. The responsible celebration is K and M’s special LNY merch drop, which includes extremely cute stickers and shirts that will last throughout the year of the Tiger and beyond. Visit their Highland Park shop to snag one.

Photo by Woon

Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)

The tricksters of the zodiac, Monkeys love fun. Never challenge them in a competition though—they will do anything to win. The perfect LNY choice for Monkeys is Woon. The Historic Filipinotown restaurant has an exciting array of specials this week, including stir-fried rice cakes, Tiger’s punch cocktails, and a red envelope roulette—a game with 400 red envelopes and only 60 prizes.

Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)

Roosters seem strong, but deep down, need constant validation and love. They’re serious about their work—leaders who are straightforward and decisive—critical at times, and natural perfectionists. For the Year of the Tiger, they should celebrate with a mochi workshop ($45) with dessert perfectionist, Sonoko Sakai. Via Zoom, she’ll teach you to make daifuku mochi, a Japanese treat stuffed with fresh fruit and anko sweet bean paste.

Photo by The Grove

Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)

Dogs are loyal, the truest of friends and most reliable partners. They’re known for their popularity in social circles and you can always turn to them for advice or for help. For LNY, Dogs should let loose at The Grove, where you’ll find free tote bags, lucky red envelopes containing $2 bills and special offers to shops, plus a Wetzel’s Pretzels. Go nuts.

Photo by Sesame

Pigs (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)

Oh, pigs. The last in the zodiac, although they may not stand out in a crowd, they enjoy life and are always enthusiastic. Pigs should celebrate lavishly and with as much food as possible—start with a box from Sesame, a new marketplace/shop in Chinatown. They’re offering Vietnamese sweets and savory snacks, like sticky rice cakes, pickled veggies, candied coconut, mung bean cakes, and more.