Food has traditionally been one of the main ways in which many Dubliners get to eperience their first encounter with Asian culture, so it comes as no surprise to see culinary events take centre stage at the heart of this year’s busy Dublin Lunar New Year programme.
This year sees food writer and broadcaster Mei Chin on board as festival Ambassador, and in addition to participating in a variety of events over the course of the festival, the Spice Bags co-host has also been to the fore in producing a very special Podcast in honour of the Year of The Rabbit. In a celebration of all things Korean, the episode includes a fascinating discussion with Gunmoo Kim and Soonie Delap about their experience and memories of the various foods and traditions that mark the Korean Lunar New Year. The podcast is available to download wherever you get your audio feeds.
Mei Chin is also set to deliver the keynote address at Meeting House Square as she welcomes visitors to the Festival’s flag-ship event which takes place between 12pm and 6pm, this Sunday January 29th. There’s plenty of festive entertainment to look forward to, with a line-up that includes a great variety of music and dance performances, including a K Pop dance tutorial, as well as Tai Chi demonstrations, Korean drummers, and traditional Cantonese games.
Also on the menu is a chance to savour an aromatic selection of tasty, authentic Asian cuisine, as a trio of food trucks showcase some delicious food throughout the day. Chefs from Bahay, Seoul Kitchen and Bullet Duck and Dumplings will be serving up some great Filipino, South Korean, Hong Kong and Canton dishes and flavours, with lots for Dublin food lovers to enjoy as the afternoon unfolds.
Meanwhile, Thursday February 2nd sees Asia Market teaming up with Chimac, for a Lunar New Year takeover of the hip Terenure based Korean-influenced fried chicken mecca. The New Year collab features Bahay‘s Richie Castillo, Chimac’s Owner and Head Chef, Garret Fitzgerald, and Karen Smith of Curated By Karen joining forces in the kitchen, to produce a very special menu celebrating all that’s best in South Asian cuisines.
This very special evening sees diners being greeted by traditional Chinese lion dancers and drummers, before tucking in to a series of fabulously innovative dishes and cocktails showcasing some hot new flavour combos from across South East Asia.
And as if that wasn’t enough, as the evening draws to a close diners will also be treated a goodie bag filled with some of South East Asia’s tastiest new trend-setting sweet and savoury snacks, to take home and enjoy.
Booking essential – tickets here.
Asia Market Restaurant Takeover at Chimac, 7.30pm – 10pm Thursday, February 2nd, Chimac Restaurant, 101 Terenure Rd E, Terenure, Dublin 6.
Check out our picks of some of the great events happening at this year’s Dublin Lunar New Year Festival here.
