Also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, these two weeks find many Valley residents stocking up on symbolic "good luck" fare that holds deep cultural significance. Whether you’re looking for extra-long noodles to ensure a long life, sticky rice cakes to sweeten your year, dumplings to bring wealth or oranges to symbolize good fortune, all parts of the Valley offer plenty of places to help you celebrate in style.
Here are six local gems where you can shop for these favorable bites and honor the time-honored tradition.
Kofu Dumpling House offers soup dumplings, which are popular for their satisfying burst of broth with every bite.
Mike Madriaga
Kofu Dumpling House
1948 W. Broadway Road #106, Mesa Located in Mesa, Kofu Dumpling House serves delectable dumplings that symbolize wealth and prosperity. Known as jiaozi in China, these boiled or fried dumplings are a must for Lunar New Year celebrations. Many families cook them at home and enjoy dumplings at midnight on Lunar New Year's Eve. But if you're looking to enjoy these tasty parcels, and let the pros handle the cooking, head to Kofu. Each handmade dumpling has savory options like pork, minced beef, chicken and mushroom or cabbage and tofu. The Signature Dumplings, stuffed with pork and shrimp, are a crowd favorite and come by the dozen for $13.99. The restaurant also offers soup dumplings, which are popular for their satisfying burst of broth with every bite.
At Hao Hao, a whole chicken is the star of the Lunar New Year menu, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Mike Madriaga
Hao Hao
9210 E. Vía de Ventura, #106, Scottsdale At this newly opened Scottsdale spot, a whole chicken is the star of the Lunar New Year menu, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Known as Tong Gong Special Chicken, the dish is served chopped yet retains its full shape, ensuring maximum good luck. It’s seasoned with salt, pepper, and flavorful broth, and you can even request to keep the head and tail intact for extra fortune. Hao Hao also serves crispy shrimp, another auspicious dish. Shrimp translates to "ha" in Mandarin, representing laughter and fun — perfect for starting the new year on a joyful note.
Shaanxi Chinese Restaurant
67 N. Dobson Road, #109, Mesa This Mesa favorite offers handmade noodles for longevity and spring rolls for prosperity. Their biang biang noodles, which are hand-pulled and super long, come in either thin or thick styles and are cooked to perfection, seared with hot oil or stir-fried. Large bowls, priced between $16 and $20, include toppings like braised beef and pork, cumin lamb, tomato soup or mixed vegetables. For a crunchy bite, try their veggie spring rolls. These golden, crispy appetizers resemble bars of gold, making them a delightful addition to your Lunar New Year spread.
Lam’s Market is the go-to spot for oranges and tangerines, symbolizing wealth and good fortune.
Lam’s Supermarket
Lam’s Market
Multiple locations With three locations across metro Phoenix, Lam’s Market is the go-to spot for oranges and tangerines, symbolizing wealth and good fortune. The fruits’ round shape and golden hue resemble coins. Visit the international supermarkets at their Phoenix locations on Indian School or Camelback Road, or their new store on Van Buren Street in Avondale to stock up on these lucky fruits. 
Mekong Supermarket's sweet rice cakes, or nian gao, symbolize growth and progress and come beautifully packaged — ideal for gifting or enjoying at home with family.
Mike Madriaga
Mekong Asian Market
66 S. Dobson Road, # 132, MesaNestled in the heart of Mekong Plaza on Dobson Road, this Asian supermarket is a treasure trove of Lunar New Year staples. Their sweet rice cakes, or nian gao, symbolize growth and progress and come beautifully packaged — ideal for gifting or enjoying at home with family. Mekong Aisan Market also offers tang yuan (sweet glutinous rice balls), which can be steamed at home. These ball-shaped treats are believed to bring happiness and unity, making them a favorite for family gatherings. 
Backstreet Asia
965 E. Van Buren Street, #123, Avondale This Avondale restaurant and venue specializes in Asian platters and street food. A perfect choice here for the Lunar New Year is their shrimp dishes which symbolize happiness, fun and laughter. The West Valley spot's menu includes Salt & Pepper Shrimp ($24), Shrimp Pancit Bihon ($16) and Singaporean Noodles with Shrimp Tempura ($16), offering a variety of ways to enjoy this festive delicacy. The latter two dishes are a rarity in metro Phoenix, making Backstreet Asia perfect for impressing your Lunar New Year visitors.
