The Lunar New Year, commonly known as the Chinese New Year but also celebrated by Vietnamese, South Korean communities, as well as Tibetans and Malaysians, will be observed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Rooted in the lunar calendar, this celebration marks the start of a new year, 2026 under the sign of the fire horse.
Beyond the parades and countless festive events happening in Paris and throughout Île-de-France, the Lunar New Year 2026 is also a perfect occasion to sample some traditional dishes enjoyed during this celebration. Curious to learn more about these Chinese dishes or even Vietnamese specialties?
Here are just a few of them, along with the restaurants, caterers and patisseries in Paris where you can buy them and devour them!
It's a tradition that takes on the air of a real challenge. At Lunar New Year, among the specialties that vie for the limelight are exxxxtra-long noodles prepared for the occasion. Not so extraordinary, you might ask? But it's when you actually eat them that things get complicated.
Indeed, these noodles symbolize a wish for longevity, and the longer they are, the better. So, cutting them is out of the question when you enjoy them! Be prepared to take your time mastering this tradition.
This is a quintessential Vietnamese specialty of the Tết Lunar New Year. The sticky rice cake, stuffed with pork and mung beans, is traditionally wrapped in banana leaves or la dong. According to legend, this rice cake was created by Prince Lang Lieu, the 18th son of King Hung Vuong. It was originally made for a culinary competition hosted by the king, where each prince was tasked with showcasing a signature dish.
The dish that is deemed most delicious then takes its place on the throne. Lang Lieu imagined this cake, crafted from simple ingredients found in many peasant dishes. Since then, the bánh chưng has become a flagship element of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The bánh tét features a cylindrical shape, symbolizing fertility.
A radish cake might seem a bit unusual at first glance. However, it is actually a beloved delicacy traditionally enjoyed during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Known as lok ba go, this dish typically features ingredients like white radish, rice flour, vegetables, and sometimes shrimp.
For the record, this Cantonese specialty is sometimes nicknamed turnip cake or carrot cake, but it's not a carrot cake, it's actually daikon radish!
Chinese New Year cake is a rice cake made from glutinous rice, stuffed with dried fruit and steamed. It's a distinctive Chinese specialty. It can be eaten reheated, steamed or fried.
Candied fruits are a must-have for the Lunar New Year, whether in Chinese or Vietnamese celebrations. From coconut to ginger and lotus seeds, these sweet treats are enjoyed throughout the entire festive season!
Where to eat good noodles, udon and soba in Paris? Our good addresses
Looking for a good restaurant where you can enjoy a comforting dish of noodles, udon or soba? Here are the best addresses in Paris! [Read more]
La Cantine Chinoise, Belleville's excellent Chinese restaurant
You may have walked past it dozens of times without ever stopping. Yet for 20 years, the Cantine Chinoise has been delighting regulars in the Belleville district. We recommend a visit to discover all the specialties of Wenzhou. Ravioli, nems, tempura, woks, kaifans, tanmians... a real treat. [Read more]
La Pâtisserie de Saison, a sweet and savoury Chinese pastry shop in the 13th arrondissement
La Pâtisserie de Saison is one of the oldest Chinese pastry shops in the 13th arrondissement, located on the famous Avenue d'Ivry. Here, you can indulge in original banh mi, baos, filled puff pastries and soft rolls that oscillate between tradition and new flavors. [Read more]
Click on the map at the bottom of the article to see the locations of all these addresses
What’s on the menu for the 2026 Lunar New Year? Traditional Asian pastries
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, explore a variety of traditional sweet treats and discover Paris's best bakeries and tea salons where you can indulge and purchase these festive delights! [Read more]
What’s on the menu for the 2026 Lunar New Year? Traditional Asian pastries
