This ranks our 10 favourite savory snacks and decadent desserts on the 2025 Lunar New Yr Competition at Disney California Journey. That is Disneyland Resort’s winter particular occasion, honoring honoring Chinese language, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures with a mix of genuine leisure and enjoyable meals.
The 2025 Lunar New Yr occasion rings within the Yr of the Snake, and runs by means of February 16, 2025. Along with the entire cultural elements coated in our Information to Lunar New Yr at Disney California Journey, there are a number of marketplaces in Paradise Gardens Park and past, together with:
- Bamboo Blessings
- Longevity Noodle Co.
- Fortunate 8 Lantern
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Purple Dragon Spice Merchants
- Wrapped with Love
Along with these devoted meals cubicles, the menus all through DCA (and a few past in Downtown Disney and the Motels of Disneyland Resort) have added dishes, desserts, and drinks for Lunar New Yr. It’s positively an enormous meals occasion, with one thing for everybody.
We’ve began to style our approach across the 2025 DCA Lunar New Yr Competition, making an attempt lots of the new and returning dishes and desserts however not all of them. Nonetheless, with this being the shortest seasonal occasion of the 12 months, we could not get an opportunity to graze our approach by means of your entire occasion till early February…by which period it’ll be half over. So take into account this a piece in progress ‘better of’ Lunar New Yr meals for now.
The Sip & Savor Move is again for the 2025 Disney California Journey Lunar New Yr Competition, providing a commemorative credential, lanyard and tabs redeemable for meals and nonalcoholic drinks on the market cubicles.
This scannable go provides six digital coupons that may be redeemed for choose bites and non-alcoholic drinks from the Lunar New Yr Marketplaces and collaborating eating areas in Disney California Journey. You’ll be able to even use it all through the whole thing of this 12 months’s competition.
The passes this 12 months can be found in three new, limited-edition, collectible designs that pay homage to both Chinese language, Vietnamese or Korean cultures—and have a few of your favourite Disney characters in culturally-inspired outfits. Whenever you buy your go at areas together with Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, and Seaside Souvenirs, let a forged member know which restricted design you need.
We advocate shopping for the Sip & Savor Move if you’re going to graze across the 6 meals cubicles. It’s a superb worth as long as you purchase solely the costliest (savory) gadgets at every meals sales space. Your per merchandise breakeven value is below $8, which is a decrease baseline than a number of of the savory gadgets on our advisable lists under. Ideally, you’d use the Sip & Savor Move for savory gadgets and pay for desserts out of pocket.
One other piece of recommendation–a minimum of on busier days–is ordering as a lot as potential at one sales space. Lots of people don’t notice that is potential, however you may order from any of the menus at any of the cubicles, that means that you just simply save your receipt (DO NOT LOSE IT!) and go to the return line somewhat than ready in line to order over again. We attempt to order from ~3 cubicles at a time, which is in regards to the candy spot. (We’ve performed extra earlier than, however regretted it. Seems our eyes had been larger than our stomachs.)
Earlier than we dig into the dishes, I wish to begin with a recurrent grievance: the meals cubicles at Lunar New Yr will not be as bold as we’d like, and play it far too protected.
This has been an ongoing subject with all three DCA festivals during the last couple of years, nevertheless it’s gotten actually dangerous within the final 12 months. We didn’t get an opportunity to do a finest & worst listing throughout the DCA Competition of the Holidays, however we ended up being pleasantly stunned by the delicacies high quality. Nonetheless, it was–as with the opposite occasions–very heavy.
An overabundance of crowd-pleasing consolation meals dishes on the savory facet, and overly-sugary and synthetic desserts has been the development for these occasions. All the pieces has been too heavy, and missing in spiciness and ambition. This is sensible to an extent–there’s loads of Asian delicacies that’s indulgent or decadent, and numerous it’s pretty gentle.
Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless disappointing, particularly as Disneyland Resort has typically gotten extra bold and creative during the last couple of years, and are doing something however taking part in it protected. Look no additional than San Fransokyo Sq., which has a wide range of attention-grabbing fusion dishes, a lot of which enchantment to adventurous eaters. That part of DCA is extremely common, which is unsurprising given the visitor demographics of Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland going on this safer path with the meals cubicles at DCA festivals can also be stunning provided that EPCOT’s festivals have performed a greater job at providing a spread of attention-grabbing and bold delicacies, with each lighter and heavier dishes. Given all of this, it’s each perplexing and disappointing that the menus at Lunar New Yr play issues so protected. If something, we’d’ve thought that the momentary meals cubicles would’ve been the proper alternative to push the culinary envelope!
Within the curiosity of full disclosure, we had been invited by Disneyland to attend Lunar New Yr and given two Sip & Savor Passes. Nonetheless, we even have Magic Key Annual Passes and would’ve attended regardless. We’ve additionally spent lots of (if not 1000’s) of {dollars} on meals at Lunar New Yr through the years. That development will proceed this 12 months once we return to eat extra (and pay for it out of pocket).
With all that out of the best way, let’s dig into our working listing of the perfect dishes on the 2025 DCA Lunar New Yr Competition…
One in every of my favourite gadgets is from the Fortunate 8 Lantern Market–the Quesabirria Eggroll.
The eggroll is unimaginable–flavored equally to the beloved tacos from Cocina Cucamonga–however the value is $9.50. It’s very laborious for me to say a single eggroll, irrespective of how scrumptious, is price nearly ten bucks. Positively an awesome use of a Sip & Savor credit score, although.
For what it’s price, the Quesabirria Eggroll is an effective instance of fusion delicacies and not what I’m complaining about above with an overabundance of consolation meals. This can be a Disney occasion, so we’re not anticipating excellent cultural authenticity. Not solely that, nevertheless it’s an occasion in Southern California, a spot recognized for fusion meals. That is precisely what we’d count on from Lunar New Yr dishes, nevertheless it needs to be the most important “compromise” delicacies.
My different favourite dish on the 2025 Lunar New Yr is at Wrapped with Love, which serves the Phở Dip with rice noodles, sliced beef, shaved jalapeños, pickled onions, and Phở broth.
Once more, an awesome instance of the fusion delicacies for which SoCal is legendary. The sliced beef is tender and scrumptious, and the pho dip together with the toppings made for a scrumptious and satisfying dish.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the Fried Lemongrass Hen Dumpling with plum sauce are terrible. The dumplings we received had been chilly and the sides of the wrap had been rock-hard. We thought this may’ve been dangerous luck on our half, however we spoke with others who had the identical drawback. Even when the preparation had been effective, that is overpriced at $9. I can barely use an oven, and the stuff I make from the freezer seems higher than this.
Additionally at Wrapped with Love is the Mandarin Orange Cream Puff stuffed with citrus cream and Mandarin compote.
I used to be stunned at simply how good this dessert is. The pastry is ideal, with a lightweight crunch on the surface giving technique to a softer inside and creamy citrus and Mandarin compote. It’s candy and indulgent, however in contrast to numerous the drinks at Lunar New Yr, it doesn’t go too far. It’s extra delicate and the tip result’s implausible.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the fan-favorite Strawberry Milk Tea Macaron at Bamboo Blessings.
Consider the hype about this. Disneyland does macaroons remarkably effectively, and this one is correct up there (for me, it’s simply behind the model at Meals & Wine). The strawberry buttercream with a milk tea middle is implausible–once more having a extra delicate high quality that doesn’t overpower. It additionally doesn’t style overly synthetic. It’s simply excellent.
You’ll be able to’t go incorrect with the bowls at Longevity Noodle Co.
Of the 2, the Shrimp Lo Mein Noodles are the extra bold and attention-grabbing, whereas the Garlic Noodles are fairly plain–precisely what you’d count on based mostly on the title and outline. They’re good, although!
Annual Passholders and locals love the Sip & Savor Move, however truthfully, you take into account skipping the Sip & Savor Move for the 2025 Lunar New Yr Competition. Not as a result of the cubicles are “dangerous” (though I feel the menus are barely weak particularly given the excessive requirements set by San Fransokyo Sq.), however as a result of traces might be lengthy and there are so many nice meals choices round DCA proper now.
That is our favourite menu of the 12 months at Paradise Backyard Grill, and the 2025 Lunar New Yr choices there don’t disappoint. The defining dish right here, as at all times, is the entire fish that’s (allegedly) for two. I nonetheless can not consider that is served at a counter service restaurant, not to mention ready so expertly. It’s the must-order menu merchandise.
If that’s a bit too intimidating, the Pork Banh Mi Sandwich (grilled pork stomach with pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, and jalapeño with spicy mayo) is unmatched. It’s not really all that spicy, making it an unimaginable, crowd-pleasing dish. That is my go-to dish as soon as we end our opinions and begin consuming at Lunar New Yr “for enjoyable” every year.
You need to use the Sip & Savor Move for a ‘tasting measurement’ portion (pictured above), however simply do your self a favor and order the full-sized factor. The Sip & Savor portion measurement is lower than half the scale of the complete sandwich, and the common model is barely $15. That makes the smaller sandwich a poor use of the credit. Talking of which, I’m additionally actually wanting ahead to making an attempt the Bánh Mì Scorching Canine at Award Wieners (discuss fusion delicacies!).
At Paradise Backyard Grill, we additionally love the Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein (Lo Mein Noodles tossed with Shrimp, Arbol Chiles, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Corn and Bell Pepper) and Korean-style BBQ Hen (Steamed Rice, Kimchi and Pickled Cucumber). Each supply hearty and filling parts with an awesome mixture of flavors and components. In different phrases, we extremely advocate all the pieces on the menu that we’ve ordered to date.
Then there’s the brand new for 2025 dessert–the Strawberries and Cream Roulade coated in Toasted Almond Slices. Once more, delicate is the secret right here, as this scrumptious dessert is gentle and great, and doesn’t overdo it with the sugar and even the cream. It received’t blow your thoughts, nevertheless it’s actually good for a easy and simple dessert. (Talking of almond, we haven’t gotten to the Almond Cookie Bread Pudding at Aunt Cass Cafe but, however their bread pudding is at all times a winner.) The Sip & Savor Move can also be legitimate on these desserts, however they’re a poor use of credit.
There’s nonetheless numerous different meals we wish to attempt at Lunar New Yr. Particularly, the competition meals served at Lamplight Lounge, Sonoma Terrace, Studio Catering Co, and a few spots in each the Grand Californian and (to my shock) Pixar Place Resort.
Wrapping issues up (for now), Lunar New Yr is as soon as once more considered one of our favourite seasonal occasions of the 12 months at Disney California Journey. Coming down from the vacation highs of Halloween and Christmas, it’s not on par with these celebrations. But it surely’s additionally a lot larger than the medium-tier occasions within the first half of the 12 months (Lunar New Yr is best than DCA Meals & Wine, for instance), and is an effective way to spend winter at Disneyland Resort.
Lunar New Yr is actually the proper marriage of cultural authenticity and Disney. That’s true of the occasion as a complete–I simply want it had been the case with the meals sales space menus. Regardless, it’s nice to see the group involvement and spend time in Paradise Backyard Park having fun with the dwell musicians and different choices again there.
Lunar New Yr has a implausible vibe consequently–an environment you’ll solely discover throughout this and the DCA Competition of the Holidays. Given the variety of Southern California, extra mini-events like this is able to be an enormous hit with company, and Disneyland Resort clearly has the power to tug off the sort of stuff. Lunar New Yr is common for good motive–extra twists on this formulation can be implausible!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Resort Evaluations & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and tons of different locations!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Excited to expertise the 2025 Lunar New Yr festivities at DCA? Something on the meals cubicles look good to you? Does Lunar New Yr Celebration appear to be an ideal marriage of cultural authenticity and Disney, or does it look uninteresting to you? You probably have been, what do you consider DCA’s Lunar New Yr Competition? Any ideas so as to add? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable, so when you have extra ideas or questions, please share them within the feedback!
