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Line-up for the 2016 Lunar Markets in Sydney and Melbourne unveiled

Lee Tran Lam
Lee Tran Lam

In 2016, the Lunar Markets will take place in both Sydney and Melbourne.
In 2016, the Lunar Markets will take place in both Sydney and Melbourne. Christopher Pearce

Welcome to the year of the monkey. For the uninitiated it's the ninth in the twelve-year Chinese calendar cycle. And if it's your year (that's you, children of '92, '80, '68 and so on), congratulations: the monkey is associated with a quick wit. Your lucky numbers are one, seven and eight and your lucky flowers are chrysanthemums and alliums.

For the second year in Sydney and the first time in Melbourne, the Lunar Markets are lighting up the city and allowing you to celebrate through food.

Expect dumplings, Taiwanese-style fried chicken and more at Taste of Shanghai's stall at Sydney's Lunar Markets.
Expect dumplings, Taiwanese-style fried chicken and more at Taste of Shanghai's stall at Sydney's Lunar Markets. Supplied
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The Sydney Morning Herald event will return to Sydney tonight, while The Age's Lunar Markets launched for the first time in Melbourne at the Harbour Esplanade in Docklands last night, February 4. In both cities, the festivities will run to February 14.

The Sydney version, presented by The Star, will take place at Pyrmont Bay Park, and will feature 20 food stalls (aka 20 ways for you to create your own roving banquet). There will be stands by Bao Stop, Tsuru, Korean Chips On A Stick, Taste of Shanghai, Poklol as well as The Century at The Star and The Star's Fat Noodle. After you've browsed the many Asian-inspired stalls, you can take a seat by The Star Lunar Bamboo Garden or test your winning streak at Lucky Dim Sum.

There will also be a spectacular dessert collaboration between Black Star Pastry and N2 Extreme Gelato, which will include a strawberry watermelon cake smash with firecrackers and cookies and cream gelato with almond sesame fortune cookies.

Sambal Kampung will be serving prawn and pork dumplings at the Melbourne event.
Sambal Kampung will be serving prawn and pork dumplings at the Melbourne event. Fairfax Media

This superstar line-up of sweets will also make an appearance at Melbourne's Lunar Markets, where you can get acquainted with Black Star Pastry and N2 Extreme Gelato's other treats (such as a Hipster Fortune Cookie with caramelised pineapple jam). Both markets will also feature the Waffle On A Stick stall, with its conveniently spiked lychee, Nutella and sesame flavours.

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Melbourne's line-up also includes Sambal Kampung, Hoy Pinoy, Everybody Loves Ramen, Bangkok Street Food, Teppanyaki Noodles, Dan's Dim Sum Kitchen and much more. And like a calm eye in the dumpling storm, Hortus, the beautiful cafe by Seven Seeds will be staying open during the markets to serve coffee, tea spritzes, Butterbing cookies and Doughboys doughnuts.

Entry is free for both events.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Lunar Markets in Melbourne and Sydney.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Lunar Markets in Melbourne and Sydney. Fairfax Media

February 4-14, open Mon-Fri from 5pm, Sat-Sun from 4pm.

The Sydney Morning Herald Lunar Markets presented by The Star, Pyrmont Bay Park, Pyrmont, sydney.lunarmarkets.com.au

The Age Lunar Markets. Harbour Esplanade, Dockland, melbourne.lunarmarkets.com.au

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