Ivy Asia, Cardiff, is bringing the dazzling Lunar New Year festivities right into the heart of city with a culinary experience designed to delight the senses, as we welcome the year of the Snake. With the stunning, theatrical surroundings and a lively atmosphere, diners can enjoy offerings that merge exquisite flavours and vibrant traditions, all within the luxurious setting of The Ivy Asia, from 15th January – 28th February.
Two Exclusive Set MenusThe Lunar Dragon Set Lunch Menu (from £19.95 per person) is available from Monday to Friday from 11:30am to 5:00pm.This specially curated menu transforms weekday lunches into a celebration, beginning with Crispy Wontons served with a Szechuan dip for the table to share, followed by a choice of delicious starters and main courses, plus an option to add a dessert to complete the experience.
For starters, diners can choose from five options with highlights including BBQ Pork Bao Buns, Sesame Prawn Toast with chilli and lime, and Kung Pao Chicken Skewers with sweet soy.
The main courses are equally enticing, offering options such as Honey and Sesame Chicken, Sweet and Sour King Prawns with toasted sesame, and Salt and Pepper Beef with pink peppercorn and chives. Each main dish is paired with steamed rice and wok fried greens enhanced with chilli, ginger and crispy shallots, for the table to share.
You can complete your meal with a choice of indulgent desserts for just £5 each, such as Warm Passion Fruit and Coconut Doughnuts with yoghurt dipping sauce, Coconut Panna Cotta with pineapple, passion fruit and toasted coconut, or Soft Serve Ice Cream with mango sauce and coconut.
For an evening celebration, The Ivy Asia offers the Lunar Samurai Set Dinner Menu from £27.50 per person (*see notes for timings and prices per location). The menu features a selection of signature dishes, with starters including steamed BBQ Pork Bao Buns, BBQ Duck and Clementine Salad with hoisin and water chestnut, and steamed and seared King Oyster and Shiitake Mushroom Dumplings with XO Sauce.
There are six delicious main course options, with dishes such as Sweet and Sour King Prawns, Honey and Sesame Chicken with ginger, and Salmon Hunan, a chargrilled salmon fillet in chilli garlic and lime.
Just like the lunch menu, mains are accompanied by steamed rice and wok-fried greens.
You can enhance your meal by adding a dessert for £5, with options including Warm Passion Fruit and Coconut Doughnuts with yoghurt dipping sauce, Coconut Panna Cotta with pineapple, passion fruit and toasted coconut, or the Sake Barrel, a vanilla crème brûlée with sesame and sake tuile.
Bespoke Cocktails in Partnership with Hennessy To toast the occasion, The Ivy Asia’s mixologists have created four exclusive cocktails in partnership with Hennessy and one non-alcoholic mocktail, all inspired by Lunar New Year. Guests can enjoy unique creations like The Snake (£15), which blends Hennessy whisky, honey syrup, ginger concentrate, lemon juice and ginger bitter. The Moonlit Spritz (£15) is a refreshing mix of Hennessy whisky, coconut liqueur, Wray & Nephew rum, pineapple syrup, prosecco and soda water.
The Vanilla Viper (£18) features Hennessy XO whisky, Pineau des Charentes, coffee liqueur, espresso coffee and milk chocolate syrup, and the Tangerine Fortune (£15) is a bright mix of Hennessy whisky, kumquat triple sec, passionfruit syrup and chilled soda water. For those seeking a non-alcoholic option, the Harmony Fizz mocktail (£7.50) offers a blend of ginger and honey syrup, citric batch and soda water, with a matcha sugar dust finish.
For guests opting for the à la carte menu, The Ivy Asia will also offer a themed dessert special, the Snake with yuzu and pandan posset, blackberries and black coconut ice cream (£12.75). The elaborate dessert is shaped like a snake with a green and golden appearance, adorned with edible flowers.
On Lunar New Year, Wednesday 29th January, The Ivy Asia will include entertainment for guests including tarot card readings and calligraphy. This Lunar New Year, The Ivy Asia promises an unforgettable experience filled with exquisite food, vibrant energy, and festive cheer.
