The Lunar New Year Festival has ushered in the Year of the Dragon at Disney California Adventure! As you enjoy your visit, mingling with special characters and snagging collectible merchandise, remember to explore the array of specialty foods scattered throughout the park. To simplify your choices between the fresh offerings and the classics, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to all the new food and beverage options available during the festival. Below, you’ll discover our candid reviews and ratings for each of these exciting additions!
Bamboo Blessings
Strawberry Milk Tea Macaron – $7.75
Strawberry Buttercream with Milk Tea Center
Rank out of 7: 7
This macaron is truly impressive. The strawberry buttercream filling strikes a perfect balance between lightness and rich flavor, creating a creamy texture that delights the palate. Among the various festival macarons we’ve tried, this one stands out as exceptional. While it does have a slight crumble, it’s a characteristic expected of this delightful treat.
Taro Vietnamese-style Iced Coffee – $7.00
Featuring Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co.® Vietnamese-style Coffee, dusted with Cocoa Powder, and sweetened with Condensed Milk, topped off with a Taro Chocolate Sweet Cream garnish.
On a scale of 1 to 7, I’d give this a 5. It presents a fascinating flavor profile. The coffee carries a robust intensity, while the taro cream provides a balancing touch. While it might not be our top pick among festival coffee choices, it’s still commendable. If you enjoy Vietnamese iced coffee or taro-infused flavors, we recommend giving this a sip.
As for the Lunar New Year Punch priced at $7.00, it features a blend of mango nectar, tangerine, and grapefruit juices, infused with banana and coconut syrups, topped with mango jellies for a refreshing twist.
This non-alcoholic beverage leans heavily towards mango flavors, with a subtle hint of grapefruit lingering in the background. The mango jellies topping it have a texture reminiscent of boba pearls. While it tends to be slightly sour, the sweetness from the mango helps to counterbalance it. Overall, we’re undecided about whether we’d order it again.
Lunar Punch Cocktail – $17.00
Ingredients: Coconut Rum, Mango Nectar, Tangerine & Grapefruit Juices, Banana & Coconut Syrups, adorned with a Purple Orchid
On a scale of 1 to 7, this Lunar Punch Cocktail earns a rating of 5. Drawing parallels to a drink from Trader Sam’s, it features coconut rum as its primary mixer, resulting in a lighter alcohol content. The dominant flavors are mango, with banana notes emerging towards the end. However, individuals averse to overly sweet beverages might want to steer clear of this option. Moreover, considering its price, it may not offer the best value in terms of alcohol content, suggesting that opting for a stronger alternative might be more rewarding.
Longevity Noodle Co.
Shrimp Lo Mein Noodles – $9.00
Pan-fried Lo Mein Noodles with Sautèed Shrimp, garnished with Green Onions
Out of a possible 7, I’d rate this shrimp lo mein a 3. The components of the dish fail to harmonize. The noodles are excessively oily and dense, while the shrimp is both overcooked and overly fishy, with the addition of spice failing to enhance the overall flavor profile.
Dragon Cocktail – $17.00
Dragonberry Rum, White Rum, Lychee Nectar, Dragon Fruit & Chinese 5 Spice Syrups, Lime Juice, and House-made Coriander Tea, garnished with a dried Dragon Fruit Wheel
Rank out of 7: 5
This cocktail offers a delightful balance of lychee and dragon fruit flavors, perfect for a refreshing choice, particularly when the weather is warm. However, if you’re not a fan of dragon fruit, it might not be your top pick. The only drawback is its relatively high price tag at $17.
Lucky 8 Lantern
Hibiscus Apple Soju-rita – $17.00
Blanco Tequila, Grapefruit Liqueur, Soju, Green Apple & Hibiscus Syrups, House-made Hibiscus Tea and Lemon Juice, garnished with a dried Apple Chip
Rank out of 7: 6
If you’re in the mood for a tequila-based beverage, this one isn’t a bad choice. Primarily, you’ll taste the flavors of tea with a subtle apple undertone, but the Blanco tequila makes its presence known towards the finish. Among the alcoholic offerings at Lucky 8 Lantern, this one leans towards the lighter side, making it a suitable option if you prefer something more mild.
Mango Melon Cocktail – $17.00
Overproof Rum, Baijiu, Mango Nectar, Rock Melon Syrup, and Lime Juice, topped with Grapefruit Soda and garnished with a Lime Wheel
Rank out of 7: 6
This beverage would seamlessly blend into the Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar menu. It boasts a rich rum flavor with a hint of sweetness, and the mango nectar adds a delightful touch. While it leans towards the stronger side, the $17 price feels justified compared to the Hibiscus Apple Soju-rita, thanks to its robust flavor profile.
Prosperity Bao & Buns
Kung Pao Bao – $9.00
with Plant-based Chicken, Toasted Peanuts and Scallions
Rank out of 7: 5
This festival offers a solid plant-based choice. The bun is nicely soft, and the plant-based chicken nails both texture and flavor. The sauce brings a subtle heat that complements the dish, though a touch more spice wouldn’t go amiss.
BBQ Pork Bun – $9.00
with Kimchi Mayo and Garlic Chile Crunch
Rank out of 7: 5
This bao is spicier than we were expecting. The inside has a generous portion of pork, and the bun itself is super soft. The chili oil and aioli on top would work better served on the side so that you could control the level of spice.
Brewery X Grapefruit Panda Pool Party, Anaheim, CA – $14.00
Bamboo Rice Lager, 4.5% ABV, 8 IBU
Harland Brewing Co. Tangerine Dragonfruit Hefeweizen, San Diego, CA – $15.25
Hefeweizen, 5.2% ABV, IBU
Stereo Brewing Co. Jasmine Tea Lager, Placentia, CA – $15.25
Lager, 5% ABV, IBU
Eagle Rock Brewery Lychee IPA, Los Angeles, CA – $15.25
IPA, 7% ABV, 70 IBU
Red Dragon Spice Traders
Spicy Fried Rice – $8.00
with Tofu and Crispy Peas
Rank out of 7: 3
The dish we were served had an excessive amount of sauce, resulting in a soggy texture. It leans towards the spicier side, so those averse to heat may want to steer clear. Additionally, the fried rice contains tofu, offering vegetarians an alternative to enjoy during the festival. However, the vegetables seemed to lack freshness, possibly indicating they were previously frozen, and didn’t contribute significantly to the flavor profile. Overall, the experience was reminiscent of something you might encounter at Panda Express.
Peach Basil Collins – $17.00
Gin, Ginger Liqueur, White Peach Purée, Lemon Juice, and House-made Thai Basil Syrup, topped with Topo Chico and garnished with a Purple Pansy
Rank out of 7: 7
Those who enjoy more classic cocktails will definitely gravitate toward the Peach Basil Collins. The gin mixes well with the lemon and Thai basil flavors, and reminds us of a mule. It’s a super refreshing and light cocktail.
Wrapped with Love
Fried Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings – $8.75
with Plum Sauce
Rank out of 7: 2
We had high hopes for the Fried Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings, but unfortunately, our serving arrived cold, and the plum sauce had thickened. Despite the altered texture, the plum sauce retained its delightful flavor, offering a much-needed sweetness to the otherwise bland chicken dumplings. Regrettably, the gyoza wrapping was excessively tough, making it nearly impossible to enjoy. We recommend passing on this dish.
Steamed Pork & Vegetable Dumplings – $8.75
with Black Garlic Sauce
Rank out of 7: 3
The Steamed Pork & Vegetable Dumplings are also quite underwhelming. Like the chicken, the pork was flavorless. The black garlic sauce did help a bit, but it’s not enough to save this dish. The sauce has an overall bitter flavor. While the texture of these dumplings is better than the previous option, we don’t think it’s worth trying unless you’re really wanting dumplings.
The Lunar New Year Festival is taking place at Disney California Adventure from January 23 to February 18, 2024.
