This ranks our 10 favourite savory snacks and decadent cakes on the 2025 Lunar New 12 months Pageant at Disney California Journey. That is Disneyland Lodge’s iciness particular match, honoring honoring Chinese language, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures with a mix of unique leisure and a laugh meals.
The 2025 Lunar New 12 months match rings within the 12 months of the Snake, and runs thru February 16, 2025. Along with the entire cultural parts coated in our Information to Lunar New 12 months at Disney California Journey, there are a selection of marketplaces in Paradise Gardens Park and past, together with:
- Bamboo Blessings
- Longevity Noodle Co.
- Fortunate 8 Lantern
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Crimson Dragon Spice Investors
- Wrapped with Love
Along with those devoted meals cubicles, the menus right through DCA (and a few past in Downtown Disney and the Inns of Disneyland Lodge) have added dishes, cakes, and beverages for Lunar New 12 months. It’s unquestionably a large meals match, with one thing for everybody.
We’ve began to style our manner across the 2025 DCA Lunar New 12 months Pageant, attempting lots of the new and returning dishes and cakes however no longer they all. On the other hand, with this being the shortest seasonal match of the 12 months, we won’t get an opportunity to graze our manner thru all of the match till early February…wherein time it’ll be part over. So believe this a piece in development ‘easiest of’ Lunar New 12 months meals for now.
The Sip & Savor Cross is again for the 2025 Disney California Journey Lunar New 12 months Pageant, providing a commemorative credential, lanyard and tabs redeemable for meals and nonalcoholic drinks on the market cubicles.
This scannable cross provides six virtual coupons that may be redeemed for make a selection bites and non-alcoholic drinks from the Lunar New 12 months Marketplaces and collaborating eating places in Disney California Journey. You’ll even use it right through the whole lot of this 12 months’s competition.
The passes this 12 months are to be had in 3 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. Whilst you acquire your cross at places together with Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, and Seashore Souvenirs, let a solid member know which restricted design you wish to have.
We propose purchasing the Sip & Savor Cross if you’re going to graze across the 6 meals cubicles. It’s a just right price as long as you purchase most effective the most costly (savory) pieces at every meals sales space. Your in keeping with merchandise breakeven price is below $8, which is a decrease baseline than a number of of the savory pieces on our really useful lists underneath. Preferably, you’d use the Sip & Savor Cross for savory pieces and pay for cakes out of pocket.
Some other piece of recommendation–a minimum of on busier days–is ordering up to conceivable at one sales space. A large number of other people don’t notice that is conceivable, however you’ll be able to order from any of the menus at any of the cubicles, that means that you simply save your receipt (DO NOT LOSE IT!) and pass to the go back line relatively than ready in line to reserve all over the place once more. We attempt to order from ~3 cubicles at a time, which is concerning the candy spot. (We’ve carried out extra earlier than, however regretted it. Seems our eyes have been larger than our stomachs.)
Ahead of we dig into the dishes, I need first of all a recurrent criticism: the meals cubicles at Lunar New 12 months don’t seem to be as bold as we’d like, and play it a ways too protected.
This has been an ongoing factor with all 3 DCA fairs during the last couple of years, nevertheless it’s gotten in point of fact dangerous within the remaining 12 months. We didn’t get an opportunity to do a easiest & worst record all over the DCA Pageant of the Vacations, however we ended up being pleasantly stunned by way of the delicacies high quality. On the other hand, it was once–as with the opposite parties–very heavy.
An overabundance of crowd-pleasing convenience meals dishes at the savory facet, and overly-sugary and synthetic cakes has been the fad for those parties. The whole lot has been too heavy, and missing in spiciness and ambition. This is sensible to an extent–there’s a variety of Asian delicacies that’s indulgent or decadent, and a large number of it’s moderately delicate.
On the other hand, it’s however disappointing, particularly as Disneyland Lodge has typically gotten extra bold and artistic during the last couple of years, and are doing anything else however enjoying it protected. Glance no additional than San Fransokyo Sq., which has quite a lot of attention-grabbing fusion dishes, lots of which attraction to adventurous eaters. That phase of DCA is amazingly fashionable, which is unsurprising given the visitor demographics of Disneyland Lodge.
Disneyland going on this more secure path with the meals cubicles at DCA fairs could also be unexpected for the reason that EPCOT’s fairs have carried out a greater activity 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 12 months play issues so protected. If anything else, we’d’ve concept that the brief meals cubicles would’ve been the easiest alternative to push the culinary envelope!
Within the pastime of complete disclosure, we have been invited by way of Disneyland to wait Lunar New 12 months and given two Sip & Savor Passes. On the other hand, we even have Magic Key Annual Passes and would’ve attended regardless. We’ve additionally spent masses (if no longer 1000’s) of greenbacks on meals at Lunar New 12 months over time. That development will proceed this 12 months once we go back to devour extra (and pay for it out of pocket).
With all that out of the way in which, let’s dig into our working record of the most productive dishes on the 2025 DCA Lunar New 12 months Pageant…
One among my favourite pieces is from the Fortunate 8 Lantern Market–the Quesabirria Eggroll.
The eggroll is improbable–flavored in a similar fashion to the cherished tacos from Cocina Cucamonga–however the cost is $9.50. It’s very not easy for me to mention a unmarried eggroll, regardless of how scrumptious, is value nearly ten dollars. Indisputably an excellent use of a Sip & Savor credit score, despite the fact that.
For what it’s value, the Quesabirria Eggroll is a great instance of fusion delicacies and no longer what I’m complaining about above with an overabundance of convenience meals. It is a Disney match, so we’re no longer anticipating best possible cultural authenticity. Now not most effective that, nevertheless it’s an match in Southern California, a spot recognized for fusion meals. That is precisely what we’d be expecting from Lunar New 12 months dishes, nevertheless it will have to be the largest “compromise” delicacies.
My different favourite dish on the 2025 Lunar New 12 months is at Wrapped with Love, which serves the Phở Dip with rice noodles, sliced pork, shaved jalapeños, pickled onions, and Phở broth.
Once more, an excellent instance of the fusion delicacies for which SoCal is legendary. The sliced pork is gentle and scrumptious, and the pho dip in conjunction with the toppings made for a scrumptious and gratifying dish.
At the different finish of the spectrum, the Fried Lemongrass Hen Dumpling with plum sauce are terrible. The dumplings we were given have been chilly and the sides of the wrap have been rock-hard. We concept this may’ve been dangerous good fortune on our section, however we spoke with others who had the similar drawback. Despite the fact that the preparation have been high-quality, that is overpriced at $9. I will slightly 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 full of citrus cream and Mandarin compote.
I used to be stunned at simply how just right this dessert is. The pastry is best possible, with a mild crunch at the out of doors giving approach to a softer inner and creamy citrus and Mandarin compote. It’s candy and lavish, however in contrast to a large number of the beverages at Lunar New 12 months, it doesn’t pass too a ways. It’s extra refined and the result is improbable.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the fan-favorite Strawberry Milk Tea Macaron at Bamboo Blessings.
Imagine the hype about this. Disneyland does macaroons remarkably smartly, and this one is true up there (for me, it’s simply in the back of the model at Meals & Wine). The strawberry buttercream with a milk tea middle is improbable–once more having a extra refined high quality that doesn’t overpower. It additionally doesn’t style overly synthetic. It’s simply best possible.
You’ll’t pass fallacious with the bowls at Longevity Noodle Co.
Of the 2, the Shrimp Lo Mein Noodles are the extra bold and fascinating, while the Garlic Noodles are lovely undeniable–precisely what you’d be expecting in line with the title and outline. They’re just right, despite the fact that!
Annual Passholders and locals love the Sip & Savor Cross, however truthfully, you believe skipping the Sip & Savor Cross for the 2025 Lunar New 12 months Pageant. Now not for the reason that cubicles are “dangerous” (even though I feel the menus are rather susceptible particularly given the top requirements set by way of San Fransokyo Sq.), however as a result of traces can also be lengthy and there are such a lot of nice meals choices round DCA presently.
That is our favourite menu of the 12 months at Paradise Lawn Grill, and the 2025 Lunar New 12 months choices there don’t disappoint. The defining dish right here, as at all times, is the entire fish this is (allegedly) for two. I nonetheless can not consider that is served at a counter carrier eating place, let by myself ready so expertly. It’s the must-order menu merchandise.
If that’s just a little too intimidating, the Beef Banh Mi Sandwich (grilled red meat abdominal with pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, and jalapeño with highly spiced mayo) is unequalled. It’s no longer in fact all that highly spiced, making it a fantastic, crowd-pleasing dish. That is my go-to dish when we end our opinions and get started consuming at Lunar New 12 months “for a laugh” every 12 months.
You’ll use the Sip & Savor Cross for a ‘tasting measurement’ portion (pictured above), however do just your self a choose and order the full-sized factor. The Sip & Savor portion measurement is lower than part the dimensions of the total sandwich, and the common model is most effective $15. That makes the smaller sandwich a deficient use of the credit. Talking of which, I’m additionally in point of fact having a look ahead to attempting the Bánh Mì Scorching Canine at Award Wieners (speak about fusion delicacies!).
At Paradise Lawn Grill, we additionally love the Highly spiced 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 be offering hearty and filling parts with an excellent mixture of flavors and components. In different phrases, we extremely counsel the entirety at the menu that we’ve ordered up to now.
Then there’s the brand new for 2025 dessert–the Strawberries and Cream Roulade coated in Toasted Almond Slices. Once more, refined is the secret right here, as this scrumptious dessert is mild and lovely, and doesn’t overdo it with the sugar and even the cream. It received’t blow your thoughts, nevertheless it’s in point of fact just right for a easy and easy 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 Cross could also be legitimate on those cakes, however they’re a deficient use of credit.
There’s nonetheless a large number of different meals we wish to check out at Lunar New 12 months. Particularly, the competition meals served at Lamplight Living room, Sonoma Terrace, Studio Catering Co, and a few spots in each the Grand Californian and (to my marvel) Pixar Position Lodge.
Wrapping issues up (for now), Lunar New 12 months is as soon as once more one in all our favourite seasonal parties of the 12 months at Disney California Journey. Coming down from the vacation highs of Halloween and Christmas, it’s no longer on par with the ones celebrations. Nevertheless it’s additionally a lot larger than the medium-tier parties within the first part of the 12 months (Lunar New 12 months is best than DCA Meals & Wine, as an example), and is an effective way to spend iciness at Disneyland Lodge.
Lunar New 12 months is in point of fact the easiest marriage of cultural authenticity and Disney. That’s true of the development as an entire–I simply want it have been the case with the meals sales space menus. Regardless, it’s nice to peer the group involvement and spend time in Paradise Lawn Park playing the are living musicians and different choices again there.
Lunar New 12 months has an out of this world vibe in consequence–an environment you’ll most effective to find all over this and the DCA Pageant of the Vacations. Given the variety of Southern California, extra mini-events like this may be an enormous hit with visitors, and Disneyland Lodge obviously has the facility to tug off this sort of stuff. Lunar New 12 months is fashionable for just right reason why–extra twists in this method can be improbable!
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Pointers for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Lodge Opinions & Ratings. For the place to devour, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Opinions. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll support your shuttle, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. After all, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and lots of different puts!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Excited to enjoy the 2025 Lunar New 12 months festivities at DCA? The rest on the meals cubicles glance just right to you? Does Lunar New 12 months Birthday celebration seem like a super marriage of cultural authenticity and Disney, or does it glance dull to you? When you’ve got been, what do you recall to mind DCA’s Lunar New 12 months Pageant? Any guidelines so as to add? Listening to from you is part the joys, so you probably have further ideas or questions, please percentage them within the feedback!
