Lunar New Year was yesterday and a few restaurants on this were closed, so here we are today! In Corpus Christi, you’ll find a vibrant collection of Asian restaurants ready to help you welcome the Year of the Snake. From the traditional at Dao Authentic Asian Cuisine to interactive dumpling-making at Noodles & Dumplings, these establishments offer more than just a meal—they’re gateways to cultural celebration, especially during the Lunar New Year celebration. Whether you’re seeking authentic Lunar New Year dishes or family-friendly cultural experiences, these ten restaurants have crafted their dishes through their culture that’ll transform your understanding of this significant holiday. Let’s explore how each restaurant brings its unique touch to this centuries-old tradition.
Dao Authentic Asian Cuisine
Jaja Cafe
Nestled in a converted house in Corpus Christi’s Bay Area, Jaja Cafe is where Chinese comfort food finds its coastal Texas home, making it a great spot for everyone to enjoy. While the masses flock to trendy spots downtown, this family-run gem serves the kind of dishes that transport you straight to a Chinese family’s dinner table – think perfectly executed kung pao chicken that doesn’t pull its punches and homestyle favorites that would make your Chinese grandmother nod in approval. And here’s the twist that makes timing your visit crucial: until February 4th, every plate of their authentic Chinese cuisine isn’t just a meal – it’s your ticket to a possible Asian adventure through their holiday sweepstakes. While the tourists crowd the waterfront, those in the know head to this unassuming house where both American Chinese classics and traditional dishes share the menu with equal respect. Order the General Tso’s if you must – they do it right – but don’t sleep on the authentic Chinese specialties that make this place a true local treasure. And who knows? Your fortune cookie might just contain a trip across the Pacific.
Lei Kitchen
Lei Kitchen isn’t chasing trends or playing up the pageantry of Lunar New Year—it doesn’t need to. This is a place where the food does all the talking. A masterful balance of tradition and reinvention, each dish is a bold, uncompromising flavor of Southeast Asia, crafted with a modern, almost obsessive attention to detail. You come here for the kind of cooking that respects its roots but isn’t afraid to take a detour. And while there may be no lanterns or dragons in sight, the spirit of the new year—fresh beginnings, vibrant flavors, and a table full of damn good food—is alive in every bite, making it a perfect time for a foodie gathering.
TukTuk Thai Restaurant
Tuktuk Thai doesn’t need gimmicks to pull you in—it’s all about the food, the kind that hits with fire, depth, and the unmistakable balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy that defines real Thai cooking. This is where you go when you want something honest, something made with intention, from scratch, without shortcuts. Lunar New Year here isn’t a spectacle; it’s in the warmth of a shared meal, the kick of a perfect curry, and the comfort of a noodle dish that tastes like it came straight from a Bangkok street cart, inviting everyone to join in the celebration. No frills, no fuss—just damn good Thai food to ring in a fresh start.
Drunkn’ Noodlez Asian Restaurant
Drunkn’ Noodlez is the kind of spot that doesn’t just serve food—it serves soul. Run by Mary Phongvilakoun and powered by the magic of Momma Kay in the kitchen, this is a love letter to Pan-Asian comfort food, dished out with no pretension, just pure, unfiltered flavor. Every bite tells a story, every dish feels like it was made just for you. Lunar New Year here isn’t about decorations or ceremony—it’s about gathering, feasting, and indulging in the kind of cooking that sticks with you long after the last bite. If you’re looking for a fresh start, start with a plate of whatever Momma Kay is making, as everyone knows her dishes are a true culinary event.
Ninja Mochi Donut Dessert
Ninja Mochi isn’t just a dessert shop—it’s a playground for your taste buds, a sugar-fueled adventure where crispy, chewy mochi donuts, gooey Korean corndogs, and towering bowls of bingsu collide. This is where textures and flavors meet in ways that keep you coming back, whether it’s for a perfectly chewy bite of mochi, the crunch of a corndog loaded with toppings, or the sweet, icy relief of shaved snow piled high. Lunar New Year here isn’t about tradition—it’s about indulgence, about treating yourself to something fun, unexpected, and a little over-the-top. Because if the new year is about fresh starts, you might as well start with dessert.
Z Counter
Z Counter is where Asian street food spirit mixes with modern retellings, the kind of spot that keeps things casual but never boring. Whether you’re here for a classic rice bowl, a crispy banh mi, or one of their wildly addictive twists—like Dad’s Mac, Sloppy Tso’s Bun, or sesame tots—every bite is packed with flavor and a little bit of fun. It’s the perfect place to celebrate Lunar New Year your way, with a spread that mixes tradition with playful reinvention. Because ringing in the new year should be about great food, good company, and a meal that keeps you coming back for more, especially during a festive event like the Lunar New Year celebration.
Lucky Panda To Go
Lucky Panda To-Go is proof that American Chinese food, when done right, is pure comfort at its finest, a staple for anyone looking to try something new. This isn’t just another takeout spot—it’s a masterclass in crispy, saucy, and perfectly balanced flavors, where every dish arrives looking as good as it tastes, making it a must-try for every foodie. From glossy orange chicken to picture-perfect beef and broccoli, every bite is familiar yet flawlessly executed. For Lunar New Year, it’s the kind of feast that just makes sense—generous portions, bold flavors, and the kind of satisfying, no-fuss food that brings people together. Whether you’re celebrating at home or on the go, Lucky Panda delivers tradition with every takeout box.
Pho 88
Pho 88 is the kind of place where the moment you walk in, the aroma wraps around you—bright lemongrass, fresh herbs, the slow-simmered depth of a perfect bowl of pho. This is Vietnamese comfort food done right, whether you’re diving into a fragrant lemongrass beef noodle soup, layering bites of crispy spring rolls into a vermicelli bun bowl, or crunching into a fresh-made banh mi. For Lunar New Year, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a table full of these vibrant, soul-warming flavors. It’s fresh, it’s bold, and it’s exactly the kind of meal that makes the new year feel like a fresh start, perfect for any Lunar New Year celebration.
Gogi Yaki
Gogi Yaki is where Japanese and Korean flavors collide in the best way possible—bold, smoky, and just the right amount of indulgent. It may be one of Corpus Christi’s newer spots, but it’s already carving out its place with a menu that blends the familiar with the unexpected. Their yaki bowls, bulgogi, teriyaki, and katsu hit all the right comfort food notes, while dishes like the rose tteokbokki—a rare find in town, invite you to explore beyond the usual. Even their ramen options bring something extra to the table. For Lunar New Year, it’s the perfect place to celebrate by mixing tradition with a little adventure—because what better way to start fresh than with a meal that surprises and satisfies in equal measure?
Noodles & Dumplings
At Noodles & Dumplings, the real show happens behind a large glass window where skilled hands transform simple dough into magic. You’ll find yourself mesmerized by the rhythmic stretching and pulling of noodles while waiting for your order – it’s dinner and a show, minus the pretense. Their handmade dumplings, each carefully pleated and filled with fresh ingredients, rival anything you’d find in major metropolitan Chinatowns. The menu is focused and deliberate, celebrating the art of hand-pulled noodles in steaming bowls of soup and stir-fries that let the noodles’ texture shine. Through February 4th, every bowl and basket of dumplings serves as an entry into their holiday sweepstakes, where someone will win a trip to Asia. But even without the promise of travel, watching skilled hands pull and fold these centuries-old recipes into existence makes every visit feel special.
The Rice Hat
In a quiet corner of Portland, Texas, The Rice Hat is redefining expectations of Vietnamese cuisine, serving fine dining portions with family-style generosity, making it a must-try for every foodie. Their dish, “The Nest,” arrives as a masterful composition of tender beef, chicken, and shrimp mingling with fresh vegetables in a savory sauce that makes you question everything you thought you knew about Vietnamese-American dining. What sets this place apart isn’t just its fine dining atmosphere – it’s the refreshingly generous portions that remind you you’re still in Texas, where hospitality means never leaving hungry. This is where traditional Vietnamese cooking is refined, proving that sometimes the most sophisticated dining experiences can be found in the most unexpected places.
