Chinese New Year menu at Soy x Neung Roi blends symbolism with flavour

Delhi’s dining calendar often turns festive in February, but at Soy x Neung Roi, the celebration of Chinese New Year is designed as more than a themed offering. At the award-winning Thai and Pan-Asian restaurant at Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, the Lunar New Year is interpreted through symbolism, storytelling and a carefully sequenced menu that moves from prosperity to abundance, and finally, sweetness.

Running from February 17 to 28, 2026, the limited-period menu draws from Chinese culinary traditions where dishes are chosen not only for flavour but for meaning. Each course gestures towards prosperity, longevity or harmony, allowing the meal to unfold with intention rather than spectacle.

Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, Vice President Operations and Area General Manager Delhi NCR Ashwni Kumar Goela says, “Chinese New Year is one of the most meaningful culinary celebrations across Asia. At Soy x Neung Roi, we wanted to create an experience that goes beyond dining, one that reflects the cultural depth, symbolism and sense of togetherness that defines the Lunar New Year.”

Dumplings as symbols of wealth

The celebration begins with Prosperity Dumplings, an essential presence at any Lunar New Year table. Steamed Black Pearl Dumplings arrive striking in appearance, their activated charcoal skins enclosing chives and prawns, finished delicately with truffle oil. The visual drama is matched by balance in flavour.

Crusty Barbeque Pork Sheng Jian Buns follow, crisp at the base and yielding within, the juicy filling offering warmth and comfort. Green Dragon Dumplings combine minced chicken with wilted spinach, golden garlic and sesame oil, creating a layered yet gentle profile. For a vegetarian alternative, Forest and Field Jiaozi bring together wild mushrooms, asparagus and water chestnut, their texture earthy and structured.

The progression feels deliberate. Dumplings, shaped like ancient Chinese ingots, traditionally symbolise wealth. Here, they establish the tone: festive, but anchored in meaning.

Indulgence and celebration

The appetisers widen the flavour spectrum. Ginger Scallion Lobster with Sweet Soy introduces indulgence without heaviness, the aromatics bright rather than overpowering. Schezwan Style Laziji adds contrast, tender chicken tossed with peanuts and Sichuan pepper, offering warmth and measured heat.

Yee Sang, the celebratory raw fish salad associated with prosperity rituals, brings colour and theatre. Crunchy vegetables, smoked salmon, plum dressing and sesame seeds combine in a dish that invites sharing — a gesture central to Lunar New Year traditions. Soy Braised Chili Tofu with bok choy offers balance, its softness and spice providing a comforting counterpoint.

The sequence moves from delicacy to boldness without abrupt shifts, allowing flavours to layer rather than compete.

Broth and longevity

The Wealthy Soups course centres on the Roasted Duck and Greens Bowl. The broth is nourishing and steady, enriched with noodles, Cantonese roasted duck and Chinese greens. In festive symbolism, long noodles represent longevity; here, they are integrated seamlessly rather than presented as novelty.

The warmth of the soup marks a pause in the meal — a moment of comfort before the shared mains arrive.

Togetherness on the table

The main course reflects the spirit of communal dining. Shandong Style Stir-Fried Crab in ginger scallion sauce, served with Chinese bao, emphasises abundance. Braised Fish Fillet with ginger, coriander and sesame dressing gestures towards surplus and success — fish being a traditional emblem of prosperity.

The vegetarian Buddha’s Delight (Luóhàn zhāi) brings together seasonal vegetables in a preparation associated with purity and balance for the year ahead. Exotic Wild Mushroom reinforces that earthier note, while Pan-Fried Noodles — available with chilli bean shrimps, black pepper chicken or black bean vegetables — pay homage to the tradition of longevity noodles.

The mains are structured for sharing. Plates move across the table, flavours overlap, and the emphasis shifts from individual choice to collective experience.

A dramatic finale

Dessert arrives with warmth and theatre. Sticky Fried Date Crepes offer gentle sweetness, their richness controlled rather than excessive.

The Asian Flaming Dome, the chef’s signature, concludes the meal with visual drama — flames rising briefly before revealing the dessert within. The gesture mirrors the larger theme of the evening: spectacle anchored by intention.

Atmosphere and pacing

The ambience remains refined and contemporary. Lighting is warm, service attentive yet unobtrusive. Rather than leaning into overt decorative motifs, the restaurant allows the narrative of the menu to guide the experience. Chef-led storytelling adds context, reinforcing the symbolism embedded in each course.

A celebration shaped by meaning

What distinguishes the Chinese New Year offering at Soy x Neung Roi is not a single standout dish but the sequence itself. The meal progresses from prosperity-shaped dumplings to abundance-symbolising fish and crab, from longevity noodles to a finale that celebrates fullness.

In doing so, the restaurant transforms a festive menu into a narrative. The experience is less about novelty and more about continuity — about recognising how food carries memory, ritual and hope into a new year.