With the Lunar New Year set to begin on Jan. 29, it’s time to start thinking about where to get some red-colored dishes (symbolizing good luck), or something with lots of noodles in it (symbolizing long life), or traditional, sticky sweet rice flour balls to remind you that life can and should be so. Thankfully, Kyiv is not as completely homogeneous as it might seem.

Little China

Until recently few restaurants serving any kind of Chinese food existed here save for Du Long, Great China and Vostok, all of which got their start before 2000. Since then others have arrived – Khram Drakona, Lun Van, Mandarin, Orient Traditions and more – proving that Ukrainian tastes do stretch farther east than the Caucasus.

Of the Chinese restaurants that exist, expect top service and stylish cuisine from Khram Drakona (2 Esplanadna, 234-9188), Lun Van (26 B. Khmelnytskoho, 279-8191) and Vostok (11 Naberezhno-Khreshchatytska, 597-0240) – but also expect to pay top dollar. Get more of a bargain and still great food at places such as Du Long (46B T. Shevchenka Blvd., 235-7350) and Orient Traditions (34 Lesi Ukrainky Blvd., 285-0804).

Kimchee and Korean

In Ukraine, where food is bland and ketchup and black pepper can bulge eyeballs, take comfort that the three Korean restaurants in town serve up good, authentic food at reasonable prices. Expect the best homemade kimchee and excellent all-around food from Seoul (160 Gorkoho, 528-5529), where the spice factor is not for the timid, but enjoy more elbow room at Hankook-wan (104/24 Zhylyanska/Tolstoho, 284-3622).

Good morning, Vietnam!

If Korean is a fuller, bolder take on Chinese food, then Vietnamese is a lighter, fresher variant that goes easy on the meat in favor of more noodles and veggies – good things to eat during any Lunar New Year celebration.

For the best in local Vietnamese cooking, look no further than Hanoi (6 Sichnevoho Povstannya, Arsenalna metro, 280-3228) and Queen Bee (5 Malynovskoho, Obolon metro, 451-6145), which are run by a long-established Vietnamese family from Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon). Their Vietnamese food is on par with the best of its kind anywhere. For also good food, but a slightly simpler locale, enjoy Vietnamese – and even some Chinese and Filipino dishes – at Mekong (73 Artema, 211-3445).

Events

After dining to start off the New Year, consider a trip out on Jan. 28 to boast of having welcomed in three New Year’s in one month.

Chameleon bowling club offers their Chinese New Year’s party on Jan. 28, with local DJs Ice and Shelestoff headlining the party.

Additionally, check out the Chinese New Year’s party at Chayny (Tea) Club, where a special program will start at 4 p.m.

Chameleon bowling club

Ukraina mall, 4th flr., 3 Peremohy Ave., 496-1717.

Please call for ticket information.