With the Lunar New Year approaching, the celebration spirit is palpable across Hong Kong as families and friends prepare for one of the most significant events on the calendar. The year 2025 marks not only the beginning of the Year of the Snake but also the resurgence of traditional customs blended with contemporary culinary delights, reflected prominently through festive meal offerings and thoughtful gift selections.
One of the most cherished dishes during this festive season is the famed盆菜 (Poon Choi), traditionally known for its abundant assortment of luxurious ingredients layered together. Restaurants are showcasing their unique versions of this dish, offering packages catering to different family sizes—from intimate gatherings to large family feasts.
Hotel ICON, renowned for its culinary offerings, has introduced its own version of the盆菜 alongside creative New Year pastries. Their "鮑羅萬有" Poon Choi is available for groups of four and six, and early birds who place their orders by January 19 can enjoy an enticing 15% discount. Details shared by the hotel state, "鮑羅萬有外賣盆菜提供4位用及6位用選擇，於2025年1月19日或之前訂購年糕及盆菜，更享85折早鳥優惠！".
Another exciting option is from唐宮小聚 (Tang Gong), which has rolled out its festive盆菜 titled "聚嘆 ‧ 聚寶盆". This offering includes prestigious ingredients such as abalone, scallops, and prawns, and is available for groups of two or six. The restaurant is also providing early bird discounts for New Year pastries, emphasizing their commitment to celebrating the New Year with families through culinary innovation. Their statement suggests: "唐宮小聚推出了賀年糕點早鳥優惠，由即日起至2月12日，可以優惠價低至$98起選購年糕及賀年禮盒。"
Similarly,星級 restaurant 明閣 (Ming Court) has embraced the festive spirit by offering their luxurious盆菜 featuring various premium ingredients such as 10-head abalone and seafood from the famous 流浮山 (Lau Fau Shan). Their diners can even opt for additional celebratory dishes at discounted prices. The restaurant affirmatively states, "明閣推出了新春盆菜及年糕禮盒，旺角康得思酒店新春盆菜(4位用)，包括10頭原隻鮑魚、流浮山金蠔，食客還可額外以優惠價追加多款賀年菜式。"
This year, the tradition of giving gifts has been reinvented, merging luxury with practicality. Various hotel boutiques are offering beautifully crafted gift boxes, perfect for sharing good wishes and joy during the New Year. At the Peninsula, the "祥蛇獻瑞" gift box, featuring gourmet treats like traditional ginger syrup cake and modern sweets, is among the top picks this festive season. With prices ranging from HK$238 to HK$3,988, these boxes are crafted to cater both to the aesthetic and culinary desires of gift-givers, making it the ideal choice for special occasions.
Offering delightful desserts along with traditional snacks, the Peninsula also presents its luxurious selection of chocolate treats and beautifully packaged pastries, along with stunning gift boxes containing personalized items. Commenting on the allure of thoughtful gifting during this season, one source noted, "一份用心挑選的禮盒，不僅能傳遞祝福，更能拉近彼此距離。"
Overall, the 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations reflect the harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. With more establishments embracing these practices, the opportunity to indulge in sumptuous meals and memorable gifts grows exponentially. Whether through the sumptuous shares of盆菜 or the delightful surprise of gift boxes, the essence of family gatherings and festive cheer is beautifully captured.
Families planning their New Year festivities would do well to explore these offerings early, as many establishments are providing limited-time discounts and promotional packages. The early bird certainly catches the worm—or, perhaps, the Poon Choi and luxurious gift box—this year! It's time to gather around the table, share stories, and create new memories as the Year of the Snake begins.