D.C.’s Chinatown

Already missing the excitement of celebrating the new year? Don’t miss a second chance to experience the festivities — and make good on your resolutions — by ringing in the Year of the Snake in Chinatown next week.

While D.C.’s Chinatown is smaller than most, the Friendship Archway and exotic restaurants don’t disappoint. Although you won’t mistake it for the real thing, there’s something for every level of immersion and plenty to explore.

Transportation:

Take the 104 Metro bus from Stamp Student Union to the College Park Metro Station. Use your SmarTrip card and go on a weekend to avoid fare markups. The one-way fare toward Branch Avenue to Gallery Place/Chinatown costs $2.75 and will take about 25 minutes.

Welcome the Year of the Snake:

To get the most out of your Chinatown experience, plan your trip for the afternoon of Feb. 10, the first day of the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration. Catch the annual parade on 6th Street running from H to I streets. The parade features the traditional dragon dance, along with kung fu and live music. It starts at 2 p.m.

Don’t forget to wear red to ward off evil spirits and ensure a prosperous year to come. And make sure to get there early: More than 40,000 people are expected to attend.
 
After the parade, check out the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. Held at the Chinatown Community Culture Center, the event has everything from dancing to calligraphy to art and photography exhibits. 

Auspicious Eats:

Looking for a mix of standard Chinese-American fare and exotic and authentic dishes? Ming’s Restaurant, located a stone’s throw from the Metro station, serves up old standbys such as lo mein and orange chicken alongside Peking duck and even cold jellyfish. Most lunch portions run in the $10 range. Expect to pay more for sushi and sashimi or less common dishes. Photographs of the menu can be viewed here.

For those less adventurous eaters or anyone looking for ambiance and quality non-Chinese food, try Matchbox Chinatown. Serving Italian and American cuisine, I’m told this is one of the best date spots in all of northwest D.C. It’s a little pricey, so consider it for pizza and desserts unless you’re looking for a nice meal out.

If you’re planning to eat out on the first day of the Lunar New Year celebrations, make a reservation to avoid long waits. There are also plenty of other restaurants around off the main street that range from Chinese and other Asian food to Fuddruckers. Don’t forget to check out the sushi stands if you can find one and look for New Year specials on traditionally lucky foods.

This day in D.C. costs between $15 and $20 per person. Use the money you saved to pick up a lucky trinket to remind you of your Lunar New Year celebration.