We review the Best Lunar New Year Food at Disney California Adventure in 2020 at the Disneyland Resort!
The Disneyland Resort celebrates “Year of the Mouse” with special entertainment and food around Disney California Adventure. The dining experiences are inspired by several Asian cultures that celebrate the Lunar New Year. Although, you’ll see California twists on some traditional favorites.
Like many of California Adventure’s food celebrations, specialty kiosks have been set up around Pacific Wharf and Paradise Gardens Park. However, unlike the Festival of Holidays and Food & Wine, there are fewer kiosk choices. In a way, this is great news because it’s easier browse the selections.
The Best Lunar New Year Food
We’ve narrowed down some of our favorite dishes from the event, and one that you should avoid.
Firecracker Three Cup Chicken Wings (get it!) – These flavorful wings pack in a perfect spicy and salty taste!
Shrimp & Ginger Dumplings (get it!) – These dumplings are made for sharing, but you’ll want them all to yourself! The soy reduction and sriracha mayo add a nice kick to these delicious bites.
Char Siu Pork Bao – We love a good bao bun, and the Char Siu certainly delivers! The pillowy bao is filled with Chinese BBQ Pork and topped with Pickled Red Onions and Jalapeño.
Smoked Beef Bulgogi Short Rib (skip it) – We didn’t think that you could go wrong with bulgogi short rib, but this dish lacked flavor. The pieces of meat were nice and juicy, but the onions and rice made the rest of it fairly bland.
Is the Sip and Savor Pass Worth It?
If you’re feeling extra hungry, a Sip and Savor pass is available for $42. This pass gets you six bites and/or non-alcoholic sips from around the park. You can also use Sip and Savor for specialty items at other restaurants. Also, Annual passholders receive a discount on this pass and a special lanyard.
Though the Sip and Savor pass looks fun, we don’t think that it’s a good value. Since most items range from $5-$7, you won’t save much, if anything at all. Now, if you purchase only the most expensive items (typically around $8), then you’d get something for your money. However, it’s better to order what you like rather than what’s the most expensive.
Magic Tip: To avoid the lines, try using Mobile Ordering on the Disneyland app!
The Year of the Mouse Lunar New Year Celebration runs from January 17 through February 9, 2020. Other attractions include a Mulan show, arts and crafts, and a special intro to World of Color.