Local vendors popping up at the Ferry Building for Lunar New Year. Photo courtesy of SFGate.

East and Southeast Asian cultures celebrate the first month of the new Lunar Year by hosting family and friends to eat and drink together, among other cultural and symbolic traditions like decorating one’s home in red, serving fruit to guests, and handing out money in red envelopes for good luck. Giving sweets is also a generous way to wish someone a “sweet” new year. We’ve rounded up some BARTable bakeries, eateries and shops that have just what the holiday calls for!

San Francisco

Grand Opening at Mister Jiu's | Montgomery St

Anyone following the San Francisco food scene knows about Brandon Jew, his epic restaurant, Mister Jiu’s, and his generous spirit. The restaurant’s take-out window is currently the home of pastry chef Melissa Chou’s pop-up, Grand Opening. Place an order ahead of time for a special Lunar New Year dessert like "Tiger Skin Sponge Roll", or drop by the restaurant on Sunday at 10am for smaller bites that are equally spectacular. Take BART to Montgomery St and walk 13 minutes to 28 Waverly Pl.

Sunday at the Museum | Civic Center/UN Plaza

What started out as one location, Sunday Bakeshop in Oakland, has now branched out to several venues for The Sunday Family, with the addition of a restaurant in the Bayview, an ice cream parlor in the Dogpatch, and a cafe inside the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Drop by the museum for lunch and nosh on a sweet treat from their Oakland bakery. No entrance fee required! Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza and walk two minutes to 200 Larkin St.

A Green Tea Chocolate Roll from Chinatown's Oolong Cafe. Photo courtesy of China Live.

Oolong Cafe | Montgomery St

Inside George Chen’s China Live food emporium is his casual coffee, tea and dessert bar, Oolong Cafe. It's a less formal counter-service spot than the main dining room and a good place to order a pot of tea and some fried sesame balls, in addition to slices of cake and pastries that also appear on the main restaurant’s menu. Take BART to Montgomery St and walk 17 minutes to 644 Broadway.

A selection of pastries and tarts from Washington Bakery. Photo courtesy of Washington Bakery.

Washington Bakery | Montgomery St

Chinatown's Washington Bakery has been catering to residents and visitors for more than 25 years. It's been a trusted spot for holiday sweets, where egg and milk custard tarts and almond red bean buns are piled into pink bakery boxes. Take BART to Montgomery St and walk 15 minutes to 733 Washington St.

East Bay

A sample of Fortune Factory's Lunar New Year boxes. Photo courtesy of Berkeleyside.

Fortune Factory | 12th St/Oakland City Center

Oakland’s Fortune Factory is one of only a few remaining fortune cookie factories left in North America. For the Lunar New Year holiday they go all out and decorate their cookies with vibrant red frosting and edible sprinkles. Order ahead and then call to let them know you’ll be stopping by for curbside pickup. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center and walk six minutes to 261 12th St.

A variety of desserts from UC Dessert. Photo courtesy of UC Dessert.

UC Dessert | 12th St/Oakland City Center

Hong Kong-style dessert cafes like Oakland’s UC Dessert always have sticky rice pudding on the menu. Grab a seat in one of their booths and celebrate this popular Lunar New Year dessert that is said to bring good luck. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center and walk five minutes to 388 Ninth St.

Market Hall Bakery's pastry case. Photo courtesy of Market Hall.

Market Hall Bakery | Rockridge

You can always count on Market Hall Foods and its seasonal holiday menus. For Lunar New Year, head over to their bakery for special ginger custard tartlets. Feeling hungry for more? Head to the deli for Gold Coin Salmon Cakes and Hot and Sour Soup. Take BART to Rockridge and walk one minute to 5655 College Ave.

Wonderfood's almond sponge cakes. Photo courtesy of Wonderfood Bakery.

Wonderfood Bakery | 12th St/Oakland City Center

This Hong Kong-style bakery in Oakland’s Chinatown is known for its sweet buns filled with deliciousness like custard pineapple and coconut buttercream. Be prepared for a dizzying array of options like their mini almond sponge cakes. Most are under $2 each. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center and walk seven minutes to 340 Ninth St.

What sweets are you looking forward to this Lunar New Year?

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