As Lunar New Year approaches on Wednesday, January 29, celebrations in Melbourne are set to embrace the rich flavors and traditions of the holiday. Food plays a central role in these festivities, with each dish carrying symbolic meaning and deep cultural significance. Tony Tan, an expert in Lunar New Year traditions, reflects on the importance of food in this season: “Food is the essence of Lunar New Year. It transcends geographical boundaries, weaving together stories of heritage, family, and belonging.”
To mark the Year of the Snake, here are eight festive treats from Asian-owned businesses in Melbourne that promise to add sweetness and tradition to your celebrations.
Mahjong Cake – Kori Ice Cream
Kori Ice Cream, founded by Joanne Yoh and Bernard Chu, is offering a unique dessert this year: a Mahjong-tile-inspired cake. This decadent creation features layers of red date and matcha semifreddo, spiced pineapple jam, kokuto (black sugar), and red date sponge, all enveloped in white chocolate. The cake is shaped like a mahjong tile with the character 发 (Fa), symbolizing prosperity and wealth. Available for pick-up from Kori’s Hawthorn and CBD locations from Wednesday, January 22, to Wednesday, February 12, pre-ordering is recommended.
Biscuit Box – The Flour
The Flour, a cozy pastry shop hidden in West Melbourne, is known for its artisanal creations. Sisters April Yoonhee Bae and Seonghee Bae are offering biscuit boxes filled with eight different treats, including matcha hojicha marble cookies, sesame biscuits, and snake-shaped butter cookies. These boxes are available for pre-order until Wednesday, January 22, and can be picked up between Thursday, January 23, and Sunday, January 26. They will also be available in-store until Sunday, February 2.
Kewpie-Inspired Cookies – Raya
Raymond Tan’s bakery, Raya, is bringing back its Lunar New Year cookies, each designed to bring a specific kind of luck. The peanut cookies are believed to ensure longevity, while the walnut-shaped cookies promise happiness in the coming year. Known for his creative packaging, Tan has crafted “Kewkie” boxes this year, inspired by the iconic Kewpie mayonnaise packaging. The cookies are available at Raya’s CBD location, offering both tradition and a playful twist on classic Lunar New Year treats.
Burn-Away Cake – Tori’s
Tori’s, a beloved bakery in Melbourne’s CBD, has embraced the viral trend of burn-away cakes. These layer cakes are topped with wafer paper that, when torched, reveals an image beneath. Tori’s version features a red snake that disappears when lit to unveil a festive “Happy New Year” message. The cake itself is made with oolong peach tea, pink grapefruit, and kumquat jam, offering a refreshing twist on a classic treat. Pre-order by Friday, January 24, for pick-up from Monday, January 27, to Wednesday, January 29.
Mandarin Bingsu – Nimbo
For a cool treat, Nimbo on Hardware Street is offering a Chinese mandarin bingsu. This Korean-style shaved ice dessert is topped with mandarin curd, chrysanthemum mandarin jelly, and house-baked milk crumb, all drizzled with vanilla cream. The dessert is available with both dairy and oat milk bases and will be available until mid-February, providing a refreshing option for those seeking a lighter Lunar New Year indulgence.
Koi Fish Jelly and Mango Pudding – Joy Jaune
Pastry chef Joey Leung is bringing a beautiful twist to the classic Hong Kong-style mango pudding with her koi fish-shaped creations. Made with Kensington mangoes sourced from Preston Market, the pudding is available at Leung’s shop, Joy Jaune, from Thursday, January 23, to Saturday, January 25, and on Sunday, February 9. Pre-orders are available through direct messages on Instagram.
Red Packets & Stay Golden Gelato – Kariton Sorbetes
Kariton Sorbetes, a Filipino ice cream shop with locations in Glen Waverley, Footscray, and Chinatown, is offering two special Lunar New Year gelato flavors. Red Packets combines Laughing Cow Cheese gelato with chunks of jujube red velvet cake, candied goji berries, and baijiu (a Chinese liquor made from sorghum). Stay Golden features milk gelato with pineapple jam and salted duck egg biscuit, delivering a sweet and savory experience. Both flavors are available now, perfect for adding a tropical touch to your Lunar New Year celebrations.
Matcha Pineapple Tarts – Matcha Mate
For those who love matcha, Matcha Mate has created a special treat: matcha pineapple tarts. The delicate, buttery matcha pastry is filled with house-made pineapple jam infused with cinnamon and star anise, sweetened with honey. These tarts are available now until sold out, making them a perfect, limited-time treat to enjoy this Lunar New Year.
These eight unique treats offer a fresh take on Lunar New Year traditions, blending cultural symbolism with modern creativity. Whether you’re looking for a traditional bite or something more playful, these Asian-owned businesses in Melbourne are serving up something special to celebrate the Year of the Snake.
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