Publication: USA Today Publication Date: January 23, 2009
City/State: McLean, VA Frequency: Daily
Circulation: 2,293,137
10 great places to welcome prosperity
Say goodbye to the Year of the Rat (2008) and celebrate strength in the Year of the Ox with a Chinese
New Year feast on Jan. 26. Master chef Martin Yan, host of Yan Can Cook (yancancook.com) and a
professional cooking instructor, has written 30 cookbooks. He shares his list of places to welcome
prosperity with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
Koi Palace
Daly City, Calif.
"When it is Chinese New Year, booking a table at a good teahouse is a top priority for Cantonese
families," Yan says. Order the dim sum at this teahouse, which reminds Yan of one in his Canton
hometown. "You can choose top-quality teas to go with your dim sum, or order dishes that are typical of
Southern China." 650-992-9000; koipalace.com
GOOGLE MAP: Zoom in on these recommended restaurants
ARCHIVE: Read more '10 Great' columns
Yangming
Bryn Mawr, Pa.
"Chef Michael Wei's restaurant has great Peking duck," Yan says. The restaurant has dedicated customers
who often request favorite waiters and tables. A big party, including the festive "Lion Dance," is planned
for Jan. 27. 610-527-3200; yangmingrestaurant.com
Fung's Kitchen
Houston
"If you like seafood, this is the place to go," Yan says. "Fresh live seafood, including Alaska king crab,
Australian egg crab, New Zealand mussels, as well as Maine and Pacific lobster, is served here." During
Chinese New Year's, Fung's serves traditional dishes said to provide "good fortunes and wealth to every
generation" in the new year. 713-779-2288; eatatfungs.com
Bo Ling's
Kansas City, Mo.
Bo Ling's has been providing authentic Chinese food in America's heartland for more than 30 years. "The
food is always fresh and good," Yan says. Owner Richard Ng has six locations throughout the greater
Kansas City area. 816-753-1718; bolings.com
Grand Sichuan
New York
"For anyone who loves hot and spicy dishes, this is a great choice for an authentic Sichuan experience in
the Big Apple," Yan says. There are three Manhattan locations. Among the authentic choices at the
newest one on Seventh Avenue: Sichuan Wonton in Chili Oil, Ma Po Tofu and Sichuan Cold Noodles.
212-645-0222; thegrandsichuan.com
Empress Dim Sum Seafood Restaurant
Denver
"In southern China, we celebrate the Chinese New Year by roasting a whole pig and sharing it with our
neighbors and relatives," Yan says. "Here, the roast pork is from a whole pig roasted in-house, making
Empress a truly unique dining experience." 303-922-2822; empressseafoodrestaurant.com
Chef Lee's Peking Restaurant
Columbus, Ga.
"Mongolian Beef is one of the best-selling dishes on the menu," Yan says. "But chef/owner Joe Lee's
hand-pulled noodles win my vote, hands down. He is a master noodle chef — a rare find these days." The
elegant restaurant has dining rooms with large windows and a view of their beautiful garden. 706-653-
8888
East Restaurant & Lounge
Wells, Maine
"Lobster is the star in this Chinese restaurant," Yan says. "You can also order from their Pan-Asian menu
in case your mate has a sudden craving for Japanese sushi or Thai cusine." The holiday buffet will include
sushi, Thai and Chinese food. 207-641-8788; eastdining.com
Hunan Taste
Denville, N.J.
"Hunan Taste in northern New Jersey has walls of aquariums filled with exotic fish as room dividers. It's
also a great place to impress someone with a classic Chinese banquet," Yan says. "Another reason to go
there is the restaurant's Chinese name. Wan Fu Yuan literally means 'ten thousand fortune in the garden.'
When you dine there it surely will bring you health, fortune and prosperity in the new year!" 973-625-
2782; hunantaste.com
Wong's King Seafood Restaurant
Portland, Ore.
"This restaurant is Portland's hidden treasure," Yan says. It's not unusual to see weddings and other
important occasions being celebrated at this popular restaurant, especially on weekends. "The time to dine
there is before 11:30 a.m. After that you'll expect to wait in line." 503-788-8883
City/State: McLean, VA Frequency: Daily
Circulation: 2,293,137
10 great places to welcome prosperity
Say goodbye to the Year of the Rat (2008) and celebrate strength in the Year of the Ox with a Chinese
New Year feast on Jan. 26. Master chef Martin Yan, host of Yan Can Cook (yancancook.com) and a
professional cooking instructor, has written 30 cookbooks. He shares his list of places to welcome
prosperity with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
Koi Palace
Daly City, Calif.
"When it is Chinese New Year, booking a table at a good teahouse is a top priority for Cantonese
families," Yan says. Order the dim sum at this teahouse, which reminds Yan of one in his Canton
hometown. "You can choose top-quality teas to go with your dim sum, or order dishes that are typical of
Southern China." 650-992-9000; koipalace.com
GOOGLE MAP: Zoom in on these recommended restaurants
ARCHIVE: Read more '10 Great' columns
Yangming
Bryn Mawr, Pa.
"Chef Michael Wei's restaurant has great Peking duck," Yan says. The restaurant has dedicated customers
who often request favorite waiters and tables. A big party, including the festive "Lion Dance," is planned
for Jan. 27. 610-527-3200; yangmingrestaurant.com
Fung's Kitchen
Houston
"If you like seafood, this is the place to go," Yan says. "Fresh live seafood, including Alaska king crab,
Australian egg crab, New Zealand mussels, as well as Maine and Pacific lobster, is served here." During
Chinese New Year's, Fung's serves traditional dishes said to provide "good fortunes and wealth to every
generation" in the new year. 713-779-2288; eatatfungs.com
Bo Ling's
Kansas City, Mo.
Bo Ling's has been providing authentic Chinese food in America's heartland for more than 30 years. "The
food is always fresh and good," Yan says. Owner Richard Ng has six locations throughout the greater
Kansas City area. 816-753-1718; bolings.com
Grand Sichuan
New York
"For anyone who loves hot and spicy dishes, this is a great choice for an authentic Sichuan experience in
the Big Apple," Yan says. There are three Manhattan locations. Among the authentic choices at the
newest one on Seventh Avenue: Sichuan Wonton in Chili Oil, Ma Po Tofu and Sichuan Cold Noodles.
212-645-0222; thegrandsichuan.com
Empress Dim Sum Seafood Restaurant
Denver
"In southern China, we celebrate the Chinese New Year by roasting a whole pig and sharing it with our
neighbors and relatives," Yan says. "Here, the roast pork is from a whole pig roasted in-house, making
Empress a truly unique dining experience." 303-922-2822; empressseafoodrestaurant.com
Chef Lee's Peking Restaurant
Columbus, Ga.
"Mongolian Beef is one of the best-selling dishes on the menu," Yan says. "But chef/owner Joe Lee's
hand-pulled noodles win my vote, hands down. He is a master noodle chef — a rare find these days." The
elegant restaurant has dining rooms with large windows and a view of their beautiful garden. 706-653-
8888
East Restaurant & Lounge
Wells, Maine
"Lobster is the star in this Chinese restaurant," Yan says. "You can also order from their Pan-Asian menu
in case your mate has a sudden craving for Japanese sushi or Thai cusine." The holiday buffet will include
sushi, Thai and Chinese food. 207-641-8788; eastdining.com
Hunan Taste
Denville, N.J.
"Hunan Taste in northern New Jersey has walls of aquariums filled with exotic fish as room dividers. It's
also a great place to impress someone with a classic Chinese banquet," Yan says. "Another reason to go
there is the restaurant's Chinese name. Wan Fu Yuan literally means 'ten thousand fortune in the garden.'
When you dine there it surely will bring you health, fortune and prosperity in the new year!" 973-625-
2782; hunantaste.com
Wong's King Seafood Restaurant
Portland, Ore.
"This restaurant is Portland's hidden treasure," Yan says. It's not unusual to see weddings and other
important occasions being celebrated at this popular restaurant, especially on weekends. "The time to dine
there is before 11:30 a.m. After that you'll expect to wait in line." 503-788-8883
