As 2026 arrives, the Year of the Fire Horse brings a fresh wave of energy and optimism to the South Coast. From traditional steamed whole fish in Huskisson to “lucky red” wines from Shoalhaven’s premier vineyards, our local dining scene is coming alive with the vibrant rituals of the Lunar New Year.
In Huskisson and across Jervis Bay, your dedicated hospitality writers at Jervis Bay Weekend are feeling the pulse of our region’s food culture, experiencing vibrant traditions with contemporary touches. Rituals remain central for Lunar New Year, expressed through shareable dishes, local ingredients and gatherings that feel generous, lively and full of energy.
As 2026 arrives, the Year of the Fire Horse brings fresh energy, optimism and a renewed focus on food and connection. Across the South Coast, Lunar New Year on 17 February offers a touch of tradition at select local venues, with tables coming to life in restaurants and homes alike. Celebrations here are low-key, a reflection of smaller hospitality teams, but our local Asian restaurants are excited to share a taste of a celebration that’s close to their hearts with our community of readers and visitors.
Each dish tells a story of tradition. Whole fish symbolises prosperity, dumplings evoke wealth, longevity noodles represent health and time ahead, chicken reflects unity, and bright citrus fruits bring freshness and optimism to the table.
These are our top picks for celebrating, with each dish carrying its own story and symbolism.
James Kitchen Huskisson, The Art of Prosperity
James Kitchen keeps Lunar New Year traditions simple and delicious.
Owner and head chef James Liu has created a one-off special for Tuesday 17 February featuring a whole steamed fish infused with ginger, shallot and light soy, symbolising prosperity flowing from year to year.
James will be personally picking the best catch, so you will need to pre-order this special before the 17th to secure your fish (market price).
You cannot go past a couple of handmade options that are permanent fixtures on the menu:
Dim sims either steamed or deep fried, 4 pieces $13, and
Crispy, flaky hand-made chicken spring rolls are $15 while vegetarian spring rolls are $13. With their golden-brown colour and cylindrical shape, spring rolls resemble gold bars, symbolising a wish for wealth and prosperity in the coming year.
Shop 1/74 Owen St, Huskisson, (02) 4441 8600
AK Dragon Malaysian Restaurant Huskisson, Fire and Fortune
On Wednesday 18 February, on the second day of Lunar New Year, AK Dragon Malaysian Restaurant will bring colour, spice and gentle heat to the table.
Chef-owner Alex delivers dishes that feel generous, passionate and celebratory, starting with a whole crispy snapper dressed in Malaysian sambal $42, a centrepiece that speaks to abundance and shared joy.
The smoky, layered Char Kway Teow $24, combines beef, chicken and prawns in a dish that is rich, satisfying and unmistakably comforting.
Alex is also introducing a one-night-only special: Happy Buddha Noodles $22. Built on Hokkien noodles with Asian greens and capsicum, it offers a lighter, balanced counterpoint to the menu.
Here, every plate feels like an expression of bold creative flavours and good fortune, all designed to be enjoyed together.
28/32 Bowen Street, Huskisson (02) 4441 5839
Fortune Fountain Chinese Restaurant Sanctuary Point, Comfort Dishes with Longevity Noodles
Upstairs at St Georges Basin Country Club, Fortune Fountain keeps it comforting and flexible. Their noodle bar is perfect for Lunar New Year, with dishes starting at $22.50 for chicken and $26.90 for king prawns. Diners can choose between flat rice noodles or Hokkien noodles, paired with Szechuan or Singapore-style seasoning.
Longevity noodles promise health, while the variety ensures everyone finds something they love, making it a table that tells many stories at once.
11 Paradise Beach Road, Sanctuary Point 0405 868 821
Fatty Dumpling Nowra, Evoking Gold
Nowra’s Fatty Dumpling Restaurant has a big following and they make Lunar New Year feasting simple and satisfying, whether you’re dining in or opting for takeaway. Their dumplings and noodles celebrate tradition and each dish carries a touch of symbolism with dumplings evoking gold and wealth, while noodles promise longevity and good fortune. Each dish is simple, satisfying, and made with care—perfect for sharing and bringing a touch of Lunar New Year tradition to the table.
A few standout dishes perfect for the occasion include Zhong Dumplings (Boiled Pork) served with special sauce and optional chilli oil, from $11.90, or handmade Chicken Dumplings served with a dipping sauce and chilli oil, $15.90.
Mum’s Beef Soup Noodles is our go-to, the umami is irresistible, the noodles perfectly mop up every drop, and the house-made crunchy chilli oil, ladled from a giant pot at the counter, is pure next-level magic. Rich, beefy and brimming with comfort, this is the noodle fix you did not know you needed, from $20.90.
99 Plunkett Street, Nowra 0403 981 967
Build Your Own Fortune: At home, symbolism is everything
If there’s one dish that captures the spirit of Lunar New Year, it’s the Prosperity Tossed Salad known as Yusheng or Lo Hei.
Colourful, textural and rich in symbolism, this raw fish salad is more than a dish; it’s a ritual of abundance. Family and friends gather around the table, chopsticks ready, tossing the salad high into the air as they call out wishes for prosperity, health and good fortune. The higher the toss, the greater the luck for the year ahead.
Every ingredient carries its own meaning. Slices of raw fish such as salmon symbolise abundance and surplus for the year ahead, while shredded carrot, daikon and cucumber reflect growth and renewal. Crushed peanuts and sesame seeds represent prosperity, and a scattering of five-spice and pepper is added to ward off negativity. Plum sauce and citrus bring sweetness and harmony, finished with a handful of crispy crackers to signal gold and wealth. This can be easily achieved by checking out Nowra’s local Asian stockists and fresh food providers.
For those Lunar New Year essentials you will find dumpling wrappers, noodles, sauces, dried mushrooms, festive sweets and more, all close at hand at Wan Long Oriental Store, 86 Worrigee Street, Nowra (02) 4423 6779
Red: the ultimate symbol of luck and vitality for Lunar New Year
Our Shoalhaven Coast wineries offer some exceptional drops that fit the festive theme perfectly. Here are a few local “lucky reds” from the Shoalhaven region.
Two Figs Winery: 2024 Grenache Shiraz A vibrant and approachable blend that is highly recommended for those who enjoy the region’s signature Chambourcin. It is light enough for summer celebrations but maintains a festive ruby hue, $36.00.
Purchase directly from the Two Figs Winery online shop or at their Berry cellar door.
Mountain Ridge Wines: 2023 Nebbiolo Cabernet A unique, medium-bodied blend that balances the structure of Cabernet with the aromatic elegance of Nebbiolo. Its complex profile makes it a great companion for a diverse Lunar New Year reunion feast, $36.00.
Purchase via the Mountain Ridge Wines website or their cellar door near Shoalhaven Heads.
Silos Estate: Sparkling Shiraz For a truly celebratory toast (Gong Hei Fat Choy! Wishing you prosperity and wealth!), this sparkling red is a local favourite. It offers deep plum flavours with the added excitement of festive bubbles, $30–$40 per bottle (check for seasonal multi-pack offers).
Purchase at the Silos Estate online store or visit their historic site in Berry.
Coolangatta Estate: Cabernet Sauvignon A classic, award-winning choice from one of the region’s most historic estates. This wine represents the “power of red” with its rich, deep colour and structured tannins, around $35.00.
Purchase via the Coolangatta Estate shop or at their cellar door at the foot of Mount Coolangatta.
