The Lunar New Year is just a few short days away - how are you planning to celebrate the Year of the Dragon?
Saturday 10 February 2023 is a date you'll want to have marked in your calendar, regardless of whether you're celebrating the Lunar New Year or not. The date marks the first day of the the year in the lunar calendar, and as such is a time to celebrate.
Typically, there's a full 16 days of activities to get involved in to 'attract fortune and happiness' for the new year. Leeds, as always, is bringing the best of the new year in with hearty menus, killer cocktails and a whole range of dining options made especially to help you celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Here's our top picks for foodie nights out to enjoy during the Lunar New Year.
Bánh & Mee
Open from 11am | Inside Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up traditional Banh Mi with Siagon Noodles, Pho and summer rolls aplenty, Banh & Mee has become a real city centre staple - and it's easy to see why.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year with a giant balloon mascot called Chilli, hungry diners are invited to head down for a taste of authentic Vietnamese food this weekend, and make sure to try some of Mama Nguyen’s 3rd generation broth, noodle soup.
A hidden gem sitting in plain sight, Wen’s feels like one of those ‘if you know, you know’ spots and we are certainly all the better for knowing.The menu is extensive and allows for multiple visits to try out all of the goodness on offer, and we are certainly not complaining.
The portions are generous and perfect for sharing, Wen’s is the place to bond with friends and family over wonderful food that won’t set you back a pretty penny. And if you need any help choosing from the menu, The Dandan Noodles can only be described as a hug in a bowl, served swimming in a bowl of rich, savoury broth and topped with a mound of delicious pork mince and crunchy spring onions.
As one of four locations in the UK, Tattu Leeds hosts a range of cuisine, including the Char Sui Monkfish with a delicious honey glaze, served with morning glory, caramel orange and pickled cucumber, which is due to land on their menu soon. Cocktail-wise, you're really spoilt for choice, but one to take advantage of during the new year celebrations is the gin, almond, lemon, umeshu and jasmine tea combination that makes up Firecracker, which is said to be inspired by the dance of the dragons.
If that's not enough to convince you, the popular bar and eatery has got 30% off this month during select times as part of its January offers to customers.
Those steamed dumplings that we all know and love are a variation of a dish called mantou from Northern China and Little Bao Boys have got the modern version down to a tee. You'll find them at either North Brew Co venue in the city centre and we guarantee their small but tasty menu will have something for everyone. Not sure what to order? We love the Panko Aubergine, made from a vegan buttermilk mix with sesame crumbs, sriracha sauce, iceberg lettuce and spring onion.
There's events aplenty brewing over at both North Brew venues this year and the Chinese New Year options are just one of the innovative menus we're excited for. Keeping everything under wraps until the event itself, expect fortune cookies, inspired decor and Little Bao Boys will be serving up some specials for the occasion too.
Friday 20 January - Sunday 22 January 2023 | West Point, Wellington Street
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Celebrating Chinese New Year with traditional cuisine is our favourite hidden Chinese restaurant, Mans Market. Tucked away downstairs in the city centre, their authentic menu has always got us wanting more and no doubt their new year menu will be just the same.
There's a set menu all weekend long full of crowdpleasers like vegan 'firecracker' cauli wings; Singapore flat noodles; sweet and sour chicken and glasses of fizz to bring in the new year- plus the chance to win your meal for free when receiving your red envelope at the end of your meal.
Hidden inside a supermarket across the road from University of Leeds’ Parkinson Building, Crown Hot Pot is the true definition of a hidden gem.
Here, you get the chance to cook your own food- and all within seconds of entering the boiling dish. The idea is that each table orders from a seemingly endless choice of meats, served by the metre, and then select smaller portions of noodles, salads and dumplings to compliment the serving.
Take your heatproof chopsticks and dunk each meat into the bubbling pot and watch an near-instant transformation from raw pinks to juicy cooked meats. We’re talking 10-20 seconds for pork, and just a few minutes for sausages and meatballs: it’s truly a blink and you’ll miss it experience. Prawns and pork belly both come highly recommended, but Crown Hot Pot truly match your meaty preferences to ensure that each member of your table is well-fed.
When you can get crispy shredded beef for £6, you're on to something very special. Home Restaurant, comes highly recommended by locals with some describing the restaurant and takeaway as 'the go-to Chinese restaurant in Leeds'. The reviewer stated that "The food is delicious, the service pretty fast and very economic. It is the place if you feel like eating typical food" and we really can't argue with that.
As the highest rated Chinese restaurant on TripAdvisor, we reckon Sweet Basil Valley must be worth a visit. There's over 30 years of experience in the food industry through these doors and with it comes a confident Head Chef and "the finest quality food in Yorkshire". Serving both Chinese and Thai dishes, Sweet Basil Valley is into its sixth year of catering for Yeadon.
Over Chinese New Year weekend you can try the best of the restaurant's foodie offerings with buffet of bao buns, crispy pork belly, mini spring rolls, and trio roasties amongst other staple dishes.
Leeds has welcomed a whole host of new places to eat and drink recently, and there’s a lot to get excited about.
We all love our food, and it's safe to say we love writing about it.
So please, allow us to indulge by telling you all about five of our favourite new foodie openings that have popped up in and around Leeds over the past few months.
But fair warning, continuing to read on may cause extreme hunger...
Moods
98 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Just over a month ago, one of Leeds' most historic buildings was transformed into an all-day cafe, bar, restaurant and events space.
Moods is the brainchild of husband-and-wife founders Will and Hayley Moody, the team behind Buzz Club Tattoo.
They do it all, whether you're popping in for a coffee and a spot of brunch or swinging by for a few carefully curated cocktails and some small plates to share with friends. With a kitchen led by Head Chef Craig Rogan, who trained within Simon Rogan's Michelin-starred restaurant group, you know you're in good hands.
Taking over the old Flannels site on Vicar Lane, Dishoom Leeds is nothing short of beautiful and has been in the pipeline for quite some time.
Dusty pink exteriors welcome you into a huge dining room complete with gold picture frames, baby blue walls and huge arched windows. They've really thought of every little detail, even down to the relaxing incense burning on the windowsill.
The menu is large and can seem overwhelming, featuring everything from breakfast naan rolls and small plates and to big sharing curries, but the staff are keen to lend you a helping hand.
If you order anything - let it be the lamb chops (thank us later).
Rizia's Bottega, on Bolling Road on the outskirts of Ilkley, officially opened at the end of August following a soft launch, serving authentic schiacciata sandwiches, colourful salads, and light Sicilian breakfasts.
The new neighbourhood spot comes from the team behind Ilkley favourite Emporio Italia and has been created as somewhere locals can pop in for their morning coffee, sit down for a bite to eat, or pick up some high-quality Italian treats to enjoy at home.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots, which always has queues down the street, has made its way across to Leeds at last.
Bruncho has opened on The Headrow, bringing its hit products like French toasts, Middle Eastern brunches, and iced matchas, to Leeds city centre.
Bruncho has also made a name for itself with its viral creations, including Labubu Dubai pistachio French toast (how many 2025 buzzwords can you get in one menu item?) and its collection of drinks served at -86°C. We're sure that their weird and wonderful creations will go down just as well here in Leeds.
Domo is an independent restaurant born in Sheffield that is loved by many for its delicious food, inviting atmosphere and stellar service.
Run by Raffaele Busceddu and Sarah May Elliott, Domo serves a range of traditional Sardinian specialities that aren't often seen outside the island, all made entirely in-house.
Located right on the water's edge, you could do a lot worse than plonking yourself on the terrace with mates, ordering a selection of their cocktails and tucking into a heaping plate of fried calamari and prawns or a carefully curated plate of Sardinian cured meats and cheeses.
Here’s 10 of the best student-friendly cheap eats in and around Leeds
Clementine Hall
Just moved to lovely Leeds for uni? Here’s how to eat out for less than a tenner.
With Freshers’ Week fast approaching, you're probably trying to work out exactly how far your student loan is going to stretch.
But don't worry, we're here to help.
Whether you’re after a cheap lunch between lectures, somewhere to grab dinner with your new flatmates or a bite to eat before heading out for the night, Leeds city centre is packed with places where you can eat well without blowing your budget.
So, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite places where you can grab a bite for under £10.
Let’s get into it...
Bundobust
Mill Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It wouldn't be a cheap eat round up without Bundobust. These Indian street food legends are the GOATS of dishes for under tenner, because every single thing is.
We recommend the Vada Pav - a deep-fried mashed potato ball stuffed in a springy bun. It'll fill you up good and proper and you can get two Vada Pav sliders for just £8. Class.
Mommy Thai
Duncan Street and Vicar Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Okay you may have to forgive us on this one...but we couldn't not include it.
For just £10.95 (close enough) you can get two courses at one of Leeds' best Thai restaurants. And there's loads to choose from, from chicken satay and Pad Thai to corn cakes and Pad Grapow - you won't be going home hungry. The perfect fuel before a mad night out on Call Lane we think.
Brod
Great George Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Brod is a staple for those looking for a lunch in the city, famous for their stacked sandwiches for super low prices. Most sandwiches are around the £6 mark, using fresh and homemade ingredients prepped daily.
Karpaty Bakery
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now this one really is a bargain. In the market hall of Kirkgate Market you'll find Karpaty Bakery, a wonderful Polish bakery serving traditional baked goods for under £3. They're absolutely massive and such great value for money.
Bánh and Mee
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Another classic from the market is Bánh and Mee, a brilliant lunchtime option for those wanting hot and fresh Vietnamese food all for under a tenner.
Our favourite is the lemongrass chicken rice box or the aromatic pho that'll warm you up in an instant.
Eastern Oven
Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you hadn't gathered by now, Kirkgate Market is an absolute honeypot for cheap eats in the city centre where you'll find hundreds of dishes for under a tenner.
Another one of our favourites is Eastern Oven, a family-run stall selling fresh falafel wraps and pittas.
Meat:Stack
Bishopgate Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're looking to be a bit naughty and get stuck into a burger and chips, then Meat:Stack is the spot for you.
American smash burgers, loaded fries and thick milkshakes all for great prices. They do a lunch deal where you can get a burger for just a fiver, or you can add on chips, a dip and a drink for a total of just £10. Available Monday - Friday from 11 - 3pm, it doesn't get much better then that.
Bakery 164
164 Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Based in Headingley just opposite the Parkinson Steps, this spot is the OG of great student deals. Gourmet sandwiches, all made fresh in-house for great prices - we wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself here every day of the week.
Kefiyo
17 Ash Rd, Headingley
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a sweet treat, then look no further than Kefiyo in Headingley. Here you can get a large tub of frozen yoghurt with unlimited toppings (yes, unlimited) for just £6.49.
Dough Boys
Belgrave Music Hall
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As a student in Leeds you will no doubt find yourself in Belgrave Music Hall, but don't sleep on their food options. Dough Boys specialise in unusual flavours for their pizza, with one standout, the Queen Brie, featuring roasted grapes to complement its namesake French brie.
All the slices are under a fiver, and between 12-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 12-5pm Friday and Saturday they're all half price. Class.
Sophie Smith -
8th February 2024 
