CLEVELAND — No matter the celebration, it all comes down to good food and that’s how Cleveland’s Asiatown is ringing in the Lunar New Year, through delicious, mouthwatering bites that showcase the best restaurants the city has to offer.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the spring festival, Tet or Seollal, begins Feb. 12. Families prepare weeks in advance and celebrations continue for two weeks until the Lantern Festival.
According to the zodiac calendar, this year will begin the year of the Metal Ox, known for hard work and honesty, so beef will be the star in many dishes. But don’t worry, other options such as dumplings and braised tofu will satisfy any craving.
AsiaTown Cleveland released an updated list of restaurants that remain open for takeout and/or delivery.
Support local and support your cravings with these restaurants that are the heartbeat of Cleveland's Asian culture.
Ball Ball Waffle
2999 Payne Avenue | (216) 282-3834 | Open Wednesday to Monday 12 PM – 5 PM | Takeout only
Bo Loong
3922 St. Clair Avenue | (216) 391-3113 | Open daily 10 AM – 8 PM | Takeout and indoor dining; online ordering at boloongtogo.com
Emperor's Palace
2136 Rockwell Avenue | (216) 861-9999 | Open daily 11 AM – 9 PM | Takeout only
Dagu Rice Noodle
3710 Payne Avenue | (216) 862-8090 | Open Wednesday to Monday 12 – 7 PM | Takeout and delivery only
Ha Ahn
3030 Superior Avenue | (216) 664-1152 | Open Monday to Saturday, 11 AM – 7 PM | Takeout and dining in
Han Kabob
3710 Payne Avenue | (216) 769-8745 | Open Thursday to Tuesday, 12 – 7 PM | Takeout only, online ordering
Koko Bakery
3710 Payne Avenue | (216) 881-7600 | Open Wednesday to Monday, 9 AM – 7 PM | Takeout and dining in
Korea House
3700 Superior Avenue | (216) 431-0462 | Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 AM – 9 PM | Takeout, delivery, dining in
Li Wah
2999 Payne Avenue | (216) 696-6556 | Open daily 10 AM – 9 PM | Takeout, dining for parties under 10 people
LJ Shanghai
[Closed for the holiday Feb. 8-11, Re-opens on Feb. 12!]
3142 Superior Avenue | (216) 400-6936 | Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 AM – 8 PM | Takeout only
Map of Thailand
3710 Payne Avenue | (216) 361-2220 | Open Monday to Saturday, 12 PM – 7 PM | Takeout only, delivery on Postmates
Miega Korean Restaurant
1541 E. 38th Street, 2nd Floor | (216) 432-9200| Open Tuesday to Sunday 12 PM – 8 PM | Takeout and dining in
Number One Pho
3120 Superior Ave | (216) 781-1176 | Open 11 AM – 6:30 PM | Takeout and indoor dining
Pho Lee's
1541 E. 38th Street, 1st Floor | (216) 273-7093 | Open Wednesday to Monday, 11 AM – 8 PM | Takeout and indoor dining, delivery on Uber Eats and Doordash
Rising Grill Korean BBQ
3709 Payne Avenue | (216) 465-3561 | Open Wednesday to Monday, 4 PM – 8:30 PM | Open for dining in and takeout
Siam Cafe
3951 St. Clair Avenue | (216) 361-2323 | Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 AM – 8 PM | Open for takeout, delivery, and indoor dining
Sichuan Hot Pot
2162 Rockwell Avenue | (216) 523-1188 / 1388 | Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 AM – 9 PM | Open for takeout, indoor dining
Superior Pho
3030 Superior Avenue | (216) 781-7462 | Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 AM – 8 PM, Sunday 10:30 AM – 7 PM | Open for takeout and dining in, online ordering on Chow Now
Szechuan Cafe
2999 Payne Avenue | (216) 515-1111 | Open daily 11 AM – 9 PM | Takeout and delivery; order online at https://www.szechuancafecleveland.com/
Szechuan Gourmet
1735 E. 36th Street | (216) 881-9688 | Open daily 11 AM – 8 PM | Takeout and delivery
Wonton Gourmet & BBQ
3211 Payne Avenue | (216) 875-7000 | Open Wednesday to Monday, 11 AM – 8 PM | Takeout, delivery on Doordash; online ordering
For a complete list of food options and signature dishes each restaurant serves, click here.
Other ways you can celebrate and prepare for the new year according to AsiaTown Cleveland, include:
- Oranges and mandarins represent luck and success. Bring pairs of oranges with leaves as gifts for visiting elders and family.
- Candy symbolizes happiness and sweetness, so purchase sweets to usher in a happy life in the new year. Dried fruits and candy plates are very popular in the southern parts of China. Find a wide variety at any of the Asian grocery stores.
Sweets bring happiness for the new year 🥰 pick up one of these popular candy trays or ferrero rochers at one of the Asian grocery stores! More LNY traditions at https://t.co/IuQphb0FX7 #eatexplorecle pic.twitter.com/gpWEPsnywk
— AsiaTown Cleveland (@asiatowncle) February 6, 2021
- Money trees appear in weeks leading up to the New Year, representing the generation of more good luck and money in the new year. Businesses place red envelopes on a kumquat tree or branches to bring prosperity.
- Decorate with fresh flowers. Some parts of China have held Flower Markets before the Lunar New Year for hundreds of years. The pussy willow is a particularly lucky flower, because its name in Chinese (yin liu) sounds like the word for “money flowing.”
- Purchase new clothes to wear on New Year’s Day.
- Red is considered a lucky color, representing happiness, beauty, good luck, and good fortune. Wear red and decorate with red during this festive season!
- Clean the whole house. Sweeping and cleaning in preparation for the New Year symbolizes sweeping away bad luck from the last year. This must be done before the New Year begins, or it symbolizes sweeping away the good luck for the new year!
- Cut your hair. It’s bad luck to cut your hair during the first month of the lunar calendar, so it is common practice to cut it in advance! In some regions, it’s very good luck to cut it on the second day of the second lunar month. Book an appointment with A9 Salon or Sun Hair Salon!
- Celebration calendar. Starting with the Little New Year (February 4) and leading up to New Year’s Day, each day carries traditional activities to prepare for New Year’s Day. For example, it is traditional to buy tofu six days before or a whole chicken four days before. On February 9, families celebrate by decorating and preparing food for new year’s feasts. This includes hanging couplets and signs (hua) on doorways, or making dumplings and mantou 馒头. On New Year’s Eve, families gather to eat and exchange
