Perth’s best Lunar New Year eats and events with comedian Lizzy Hoo

Lunar New Year is just around the corner – and with the combined power of Lunar New Year and the lively energy of FRINGE WORLD, the vibes across Perth are absolutely unmatched.

Bringing her brand new hour of stand up, comedian Lizzy Hoo (Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey, Have You Been Paying Attention?, Question Everything, The Cook Up with Adam Liaw) will be in town for Lunar New Year – so naturally, we had to find out her festive picks across Perth, from community events to delicious family-run favourites.

Words by Lizzy Hoo

When I told my dad I couldn’t go to Brisbane for Chinese New Year because I’ll be doing my new show Déjà Hoo, at FRINGE WORLD he said “Don’t worry, it’s just Chinese New Year.” Brutal! The guilt is real. 

To offset the guilt, I’ll be taking advantage of the date to eat all the incredible food. I hear they do it better in The West! I’m half white but my palate is for sure Asian. My food preference has always leaned in favour of my father’s Malaysian Chinese heritage. I grew up eating a lot of noodles and curries; we didn’t have a Sunday roast in our house, we had Sunday curry. 

As a kid, I didn’t know anyone celebrating Chinese New Year besides my own relatives, it definitely wasn’t a huge event in ’80s and ’90s Brisbane. Over the Chinese New Year period, my parents would invite their friends to our party, with lanterns hung in the backyard, a decorated trestle table and the traditional steamboat. Our steamboat is the same one my dad brought over from Malaysia when he first moved here. It’s brass and powered by charcoal and our parties were loud, fun (and normally stinking hot!).

The Lunar New Year is a great reason to take full advantage of all the deliciousness Perth has to offer, from Dim Sum to Prosperity “Yee Sang” Salad – hopefully with bonus dancing lions. I love the lion dancers so much! 

Here are some events and delicious eating I recommend:

The Perth Chinese New Year Fair, organised by the Chung Wah Association, is celebrating the Year of the Snake with cultural festivities on 2 February in Northbridge and Yagan Square.

Yaolin Kung Fu association’s Lunar New Year at Elizabeth Quay, including traditional red envelope giveaways and lion and dragon dances.

The Chinese New Year Peace Lantern Festival at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in Maylands, running until 21 February.

Order the lobster noodles at Northbridge Chinese Restaurant – they signify longevity and good luck.

The Wang’s Treasure House in Morley is a great, family-run place to go for dim sum. Get there early to avoid the queues.

And if you’re keen on fancy food, Miss Mi Perth is hosting a Chinese New Year dinner from 28 January to 8, with oysters, crayfish and you could even win a Year of the Snake coin. 

“Kung hei fat choi!”

Make sure to check out Lizzy’s show Déjà Hoo at FRINGE WORLD this year – grab your tickets here!

To find more Lunar New Year events around Perth, check out our full write-up here.