ON THE MENU: Special dishes for the Year of the Dragon

Ping Pang Pong, Gold Coast

The skin of a chicken is removed in one piece and the meat flavored and lightly sauteed with herbs, glutinous rice, mushrooms, sausage, lotus seeds, goji berry, salted egg yolks and simmered mung bean, then stuffed back into the skin and ladle-fried, $38.88.

Sliced abalone with black mushroom and sea cucumber

Food Express, Palace Station

The abalone is steamed for at least eight hours with seasonings and proteins to add flavor, and the sea cucumber is rehydrated for several days before they’re served with mushrooms, mustard greens and oyster sauce, $140.

Live lobster with golden garlic and spicy salt

Zine Chinese, Palazzo

In Chinese, the word “lobster” relates to the word “dragon,” which represents positive energy, so the dish is said to bring positive energy for another year, $98.

Dried oyster with sea moss

Fin, The Mirage

Dried oyster with sea moss, black mushroom, barbecued pork belly and roasted whole garlic on a bed of lettuce topped with brown oyster sauce, $38.

Lucky Sauteed Bamboo Skin

Ming’s Table, Harrah’s

Served with asparagus, it’s said to augur well for the coming year, $18.95.

If you have suggestions for On the Menu, please email HRinella@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0474.