This ranks our 10 favourite savory snacks and decadent desserts on the 2025 Lunar New 12 months Pageant at Disney California Journey. That is Disneyland Resort’s winter particular occasion, honoring honoring Chinese language, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures with a combination of genuine leisure and enjoyable meals.
The 2025 Lunar New 12 months occasion rings within the 12 months of the Snake, and runs by February 16, 2025. Along with the entire cultural parts lined in our Information to Lunar New 12 months at Disney California Journey, there are a number of marketplaces in Paradise Gardens Park and past, together with:
- Bamboo Blessings
- Longevity Noodle Co.
- Fortunate 8 Lantern
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Pink Dragon Spice Merchants
- Wrapped with Love
Along with these devoted meals cubicles, the menus all through DCA (and a few past in Downtown Disney and the Lodges of Disneyland Resort) have added dishes, desserts, and drinks for Lunar New 12 months. It’s positively a giant meals occasion, with one thing for everybody.
We’ve began to style our method across the 2025 DCA Lunar New 12 months Pageant, attempting most of the new and returning dishes and desserts however not all of them. Nevertheless, with this being the shortest seasonal occasion of the 12 months, we might not get an opportunity to graze our method by all the occasion till early February…by which era it’ll be half over. So contemplate this a piece in progress ‘better 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 go gives six digital coupons that may be redeemed for choose bites and non-alcoholic drinks from the Lunar New 12 months Marketplaces and taking part eating areas in Disney California Journey. You may even use it all through everything of this 12 months’s competition.
The passes this 12 months can be found in three 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. While you buy your go at areas together with Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, and Seaside Souvenirs, let a solid member know which restricted design you need.
We suggest shopping for the Sip & Savor Cross if you’re going to graze across the 6 meals cubicles. It’s worth as long as you purchase solely the costliest (savory) gadgets at every meals sales space. Your per merchandise breakeven price is below $8, which is a decrease baseline than a number of of the savory gadgets on our advisable lists beneath. Ideally, you’d use the Sip & Savor Cross for savory gadgets and pay for desserts out of pocket.
One other piece of recommendation–a minimum of on busier days–is ordering as a lot as potential at one sales space. Lots of people don’t notice that is potential, however you may order from any of the menus at any of the cubicles, that means that you simply simply save your receipt (DO NOT LOSE IT!) and go to the return line moderately than ready in line to order another time. 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 had been larger than our stomachs.)
Earlier than we dig into the dishes, I need to begin with a recurrent criticism: the meals cubicles at Lunar New 12 months aren’t as formidable as we’d like, and play it far too secure.
This has been an ongoing challenge with all three DCA festivals during the last couple of years, however it’s gotten actually unhealthy within the final 12 months. We didn’t get an opportunity to do a greatest & worst record in the course of the DCA Pageant of the Holidays, however we ended up being pleasantly stunned by the delicacies high quality. Nevertheless, it was–as with the opposite occasions–very heavy.
An overabundance of crowd-pleasing consolation meals dishes on the savory aspect, and overly-sugary and synthetic desserts has been the development for these occasions. Every thing has been too heavy, and missing in spiciness and ambition. This is smart to an extent–there’s loads of Asian delicacies that’s indulgent or decadent, and plenty of it’s pretty gentle.
Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless disappointing, particularly as Disneyland Resort has typically gotten extra formidable and creative during the last couple of years, and are doing something however taking part in it secure. Look no additional than San Fransokyo Sq., which has quite a lot of attention-grabbing fusion dishes, a lot of which attraction to adventurous eaters. That part of DCA is extremely well-liked, which is unsurprising given the visitor demographics of Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland going on this safer route with the meals cubicles at DCA festivals can be stunning on condition that EPCOT’s festivals have carried out a greater job 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 secure. If something, we might’ve thought that the short-term meals cubicles would’ve been the proper alternative to push the culinary envelope!
Within the curiosity of full disclosure, we had been invited by Disneyland to attend Lunar New 12 months and given two Sip & Savor Passes. Nevertheless, we even have Magic Key Annual Passes and would’ve attended regardless. We’ve additionally spent tons of (if not 1000’s) of {dollars} on meals at Lunar New 12 months over time. That development will proceed this 12 months after we return to eat extra (and pay for it out of pocket).
With all that out of the way in which, let’s dig into our operating record of the perfect dishes on the 2025 DCA Lunar New 12 months Pageant…
One among my favourite gadgets is from the Fortunate 8 Lantern Market–the Quesabirria Eggroll.
The eggroll is unbelievable–flavored equally to the beloved tacos from Cocina Cucamonga–however the worth is $9.50. It’s very onerous for me to say a single eggroll, irrespective of how scrumptious, is price virtually ten bucks. Undoubtedly a terrific use of a Sip & Savor credit score, although.
For what it’s price, the Quesabirria Eggroll is an effective instance of fusion delicacies and not what I’m complaining about above with an overabundance of consolation meals. It is a Disney occasion, so we’re not anticipating good cultural authenticity. Not solely that, however it’s an occasion in Southern California, a spot identified for fusion meals. That is precisely what we’d count on from Lunar New 12 months dishes, however it needs to be the most important “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 beef, shaved jalapeños, pickled onions, and Phở broth.
Once more, a terrific instance of the fusion delicacies for which SoCal is known. The sliced beef is tender and scrumptious, and the pho dip together with the toppings made for a scrumptious and satisfying dish.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the Fried Lemongrass Hen Dumpling with plum sauce are terrible. The dumplings we obtained had been chilly and the sides of the wrap had been rock-hard. We thought this would possibly’ve been unhealthy luck on our half, however we spoke with others who had the identical drawback. Even when the preparation had been high-quality, that is overpriced at $9. I can barely 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 stuffed with citrus cream and Mandarin compote.
I used to be stunned at simply how good this dessert is. The pastry is ideal, with a lightweight crunch on the surface giving approach to a softer inside and creamy citrus and Mandarin compote. It’s candy and indulgent, however in contrast to plenty of the drinks at Lunar New 12 months, it doesn’t go too far. It’s extra refined and the top result’s incredible.
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 nicely, and this one is true up there (for me, it’s simply behind the model at Meals & Wine). The strawberry buttercream with a milk tea middle is incredible–once more having a extra refined high quality that doesn’t overpower. It additionally doesn’t style overly synthetic. It’s simply good.
You may’t go incorrect with the bowls at Longevity Noodle Co.
Of the 2, the Shrimp Lo Mein Noodles are the extra formidable and attention-grabbing, whereas the Garlic Noodles are fairly plain–precisely what you’d count on based mostly on the title and outline. They’re good, although!
Annual Passholders and locals love the Sip & Savor Cross, however truthfully, you contemplate skipping the Sip & Savor Cross for the 2025 Lunar New 12 months Pageant. Not as a result of the cubicles are “unhealthy” (though I believe the menus are barely weak particularly given the excessive requirements set by San Fransokyo Sq.), however as a result of strains will be lengthy and there are so many nice meals choices round DCA proper now.
That is our favourite menu of the 12 months at Paradise Backyard 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 that’s (allegedly) for two. I nonetheless can not imagine that is served at a counter service restaurant, not to mention ready so expertly. It’s the must-order menu merchandise.
If that’s a bit too intimidating, the Pork Banh Mi Sandwich (grilled pork stomach with pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, and jalapeño with spicy mayo) is unequalled. It’s not truly all that spicy, making it an unbelievable, crowd-pleasing dish. That is my go-to dish as soon as we end our critiques and begin consuming at Lunar New 12 months “for enjoyable” annually.
You should utilize the Sip & Savor Cross for a ‘tasting measurement’ portion (pictured above), however simply do your self a favor and order the full-sized factor. The Sip & Savor portion measurement is lower than half the dimensions of the complete sandwich, and the common model is barely $15. That makes the smaller sandwich a poor use of the credit. Talking of which, I’m additionally actually wanting ahead to attempting the Bánh Mì Sizzling Canine at Award Wieners (discuss fusion delicacies!).
At Paradise Backyard Grill, we additionally love the Spicy 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 provide hearty and filling parts with a terrific mixture of flavors and substances. In different phrases, we extremely suggest the whole lot on the menu that we’ve ordered so far.
Then there’s the brand new for 2025 dessert–the Strawberries and Cream Roulade lined in Toasted Almond Slices. Once more, refined is the secret right here, as this scrumptious dessert is gentle and great, and doesn’t overdo it with the sugar and even the cream. It received’t blow your thoughts, however it’s actually good 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 can be legitimate on these desserts, however they’re a poor use of credit.
There’s nonetheless plenty of different meals we need to strive at Lunar New 12 months. Specifically, the competition meals served at Lamplight Lounge, Sonoma Terrace, Studio Catering Co, and a few spots in each the Grand Californian and (to my shock) Pixar Place Lodge.
Wrapping issues up (for now), Lunar New 12 months is as soon as once more one in all our favourite seasonal occasions of the 12 months at Disney California Journey. Coming down from the vacation highs of Halloween and Christmas, it’s not on par with these celebrations. Nevertheless it’s additionally a lot larger than the medium-tier occasions within the first half of the 12 months (Lunar New 12 months is best than DCA Meals & Wine, for instance), and is a good way to spend winter at Disneyland Resort.
Lunar New 12 months is really the proper marriage of cultural authenticity and Disney. That’s true of the occasion as an entire–I simply want it had been the case with the meals sales space menus. Regardless, it’s nice to see the neighborhood involvement and spend time in Paradise Backyard Park having fun with the reside musicians and different choices again there.
Lunar New 12 months has a incredible vibe consequently–an environment you’ll solely discover throughout this and the DCA Pageant of the Holidays. Given the variety of Southern California, extra mini-events like this may be an enormous hit with company, and Disneyland Resort clearly has the power to tug off one of these stuff. Lunar New 12 months is well-liked for good motive–extra twists on this components can be incredible!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Lodge Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and tons of different locations!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Excited to expertise the 2025 Lunar New 12 months festivities at DCA? Something on the meals cubicles look good to you? Does Lunar New 12 months Celebration appear like an ideal marriage of cultural authenticity and Disney, or does it look uninteresting to you? You probably have been, what do you consider DCA’s Lunar New 12 months Pageant? Any ideas so as to add? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable, so when you have further ideas or questions, please share them within the feedback!
