Lunar New Year with Celebrity Chef Jet Tila: It’s Deeper Than the Flavor

Ring in the Lunar New Year at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel with an exclusive menu by celebrity Food Network chef, Jet Tila at Hong Bao Kitchen January 29 through February 25.

Ryan Saseung | Social Media Specialist

At Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, we celebrate Lunar New Year with prosperity, health, and togetherness. This cherished tradition is more than just a celebration — it is a time for storytelling, honoring cultural heritage, and embracing the rich symbolism that defines the holiday. From festive décor, exceptional service, and artisanal cuisine, every detail reflects the values of luck, abundance, and renewal. 

Chef Jet Tila and Chef Peter Collaboration

In collaboration with renowned Chef Jet Tila and Yaamava’s head of Asian cuisine, Chef Peter, they are proud to present an exclusive Lunar New Year menu that weaves together tradition and innovation, offering dishes that symbolize good fortune, longevity, and prosperity. 

From January 29 to February 25, guests can enjoy an array of dishes at Hong Bao Kitchen. Featured dishes include Crispy Beef Potstickers, Long Life Noodles with beef, chicken, and shrimp in a savory oyster sauce, and Crispy Striped Bass with sweet and sour sauce. Guests can also savor comforting Wonton Soupwith shrimp and sesame, as well as Tangerine Beef, featuring crispy sliced beef infused with ginger, garlic, and chili pepper. Each dish carries deep-rooted symbolism, reflecting themes of longevity, prosperity, and good fortune for the year ahead.

(Chef Jet Tila and Chef Peter with Crispy Striped Bass at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino for Lunar New Year)

Who is Chef Jet Tila?

Chef Jet Tila is a celebrated culinary expert, restaurateur, and Food Network personality known for his mastery of Pan-Asian cuisine. Growing up in a Thai-Chinese immigrant family in Los Angeles, Tila was immersed in the rich culinary traditions of his heritage from an early age. His expertise has led him to multiple television appearances on shows such as Iron Chef America, Chopped, and Beat Bobby Flay, as well as collaborations with some of the world's top chefs. As a best-selling author and passionate storyteller, Tila brings authenticity and innovation to his dishes, blending time-honored traditions with modern culinary techniques. His exclusive Lunar New Year menu at Yaamava’ is a testament to his commitment to preserving and sharing the vibrant flavors and symbolism of Asian cuisine.

 (Chef Tila at Hong Bao Kitchen showing his menu for Lunar New Year)

The Inspiration Behind the Lunar New Year Menu

For Chef Jet Tila, the Lunar New Year menu at Yaamava’ is a deeply personal reflection of his heritage and culinary journey. Growing up, Tila was immersed in Cantonese cuisine — the first cuisine he learned and the foundation of his culinary expertise. Lunar New Year was the one holiday that consistently brought his family together around an elaborate feast featuring up to 20 different dishes. His maternal grandmother, the heart of these celebrations, prepared the meals, and from the age of three, Tila stood by her side in the kitchen, learning the art of traditional cooking.

(Chef Tila plating Long Life Noodles at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino for Lunar New Year)

With a family legacy spanning three generations of restaurateurs and over a century of experience in the kitchen, these dishes hold deep significance. “These are dishes that my family has made over my 50 years and over their 100 years in the kitchen,” says Tila. Every dish on the Lunar New Year menu at Yaamava’ is one that Tila grew up with — recipes passed down through generations. Rather than creating entirely new dishes, his approach is to present his interpretations of these timeless classics, honoring tradition while sharing the flavors of his childhood with guests.

Symbolism and Key Ingredients in the Lunar New Year Menu

Every dish on the Lunar New Year menu carries deep cultural significance, as food plays a symbolic role in Chinese New Year traditions. As Chef Tila explains, “You have to eat certain foods on Chinese New Year. They’re all symbolic, right?” He highlights that “noodles [are] for long life, whole fish represents prosperity and keeping family together, [and] beef is for good luck.” 

Dumplings are also a meaningful staple, as “they look like old gold ingots,” symbolizing fortune and wealth. By incorporating these traditional elements, Tila ensures that every dish on the menu stays true to the heritage and customs of the holiday.

(Chef Tila prepping with Chef Peter at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino for Lunar New Year)

Beyond symbolism, the menu also highlights key ingredients essential to Cantonese cuisine, which differs from Northern and Sichuan styles of Chinese cooking. “Seafood is highly featured,” Tila notes, with whole fish playing a starring role. 

Classic flavors such as “ginger, scallions, soy, and sesame are gonna be kind of represented in just about every dish.” However, according to Tila, the real secret to achieving authentic Chinese flavors lies in two key ingredients: “It’s not soy sauce — it’s actually oyster sauce,” he reveals. Additionally, “something we call chicken powder” is another essential ingredient that “makes all your food taste like really great Chinese restaurants.” 

These elements, combined with careful preparation, bring depth and authenticity to the dishes, allowing guests to experience the true essence of Lunar New Year cuisine.

Blending Culinary Heritage with Modern Dining

Throughout his career, Chef Jet Tila has been driven by a deep curiosity about cultural identity and authenticity in food. “I think I’m probably most known for my Food Network work,” Tila explains, “and in my career, I have believed that there are two types of chefs—there are artists and there are artisans.” 

While some chefs focus on blending global influences into new creations, Tila sees himself as an artisan and a cultural anthropologist, dedicated to preserving and sharing traditional culinary practices.

His personal journey has been shaped by a search for identity through food. “I’ve always been kind of troubled by—am I Chinese? Am I Thai? Am I American?” he reflects. “Within Chinese, am I Hainanese? Am I Cantonese?” 

His passion for understanding food at its deepest level has led him to formal training in diverse cuisines, including sushi and French culinary techniques. However, his goal remains clear: “What really drives me every day is teaching people culture through food.”

(Chef Jet Tila and Chef Peter frying fish at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino for Lunar New Year)

For Tila, authenticity is key. Rather than fusing flavors for the sake of modern trends, he seeks to uncover the most traditional versions of a dish. “I want to know how my Cantonese grandmother cooks the dish versus a Sichuan grandmother versus a northern Chinese grandmother versus my Thai grandmother,” he says. This commitment to honoring culinary heritage while educating and inspiring others is at the heart of his approach to food—and it’s what makes his Lunar New Year menu at Yaamava’ a truly special experience.

Chef Jet Tila’s Must-Try Dish

Chef Tila is especially excited for guests to experience the Lunar New Year menu in a way that allows them to learn and connect with the holiday’s rich traditions. “I’m really excited for people to kind of learn about the Lunar New Year, you know, subtly through the food,” he shares. He hopes that guests will begin to appreciate the symbolism behind the dishes, which add a layer of cultural depth to the dining experience.

When asked about the dish he’s most excited for guests to try, Tila points to the whole fish. “I think it would be fun if our guests kind of understand maybe the symbolism of food,” he explains.

The whole fish, which symbolizes prosperity and family unity, may be a bit intimidating for some diners, but Tila is eager for them to embrace it. “I’m most excited for someone to order the whole fish if they’re a little nervous about it,” he says. It’s this connection to tradition and the opportunity to try something new that makes the experience so meaningful for him.

(Crispy Striped Bass at Hong Bao Kitchen for Lunar New Year)

Personal Lunar New Year Traditions

For Chef Jet Tila, Lunar New Year has always been a deeply meaningful time for family and tradition. “My family’s been in this country for 60 years, and we built a ton of businesses and worked just our asses off to kind of achieve the American dream,” Tila reflects. Despite their busy lives, the one day they would all come together and take time off was Lunar New Year. “The only memories of seeing all my uncles, aunts, family, and cousins were Lunar New Year, and all those gatherings were based around the food.”

The celebrations were a family affair, steeped in ritual and togetherness. “We would cook from the night before to the morning, we’d lay out the offering table, burn incense to the ancestors, and then we would give hongbaos,” Tila shares. 

It was a time for both reverence and joy, as “the kids would get the red envelopes from the elders, and then we would eat and hang out together.” While the day was filled with laughter, it also included moments of playful argument, making it a memorable and cherished tradition. For Tila, his fondest memories of family are tied to these Lunar New Year celebrations, where food, connection, and culture came together.

(Chef Tila and Chef Peter in the kitchen at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino for Lunar New Year)

Enhancing the Guest Experience at Yaamava’ 

Chef Tila is enthusiastic about how the Lunar New Year celebration extends beyond just the food. “The attention to detail and service standards from food and beverage to gaming are some of the best I’ve ever experienced,” he says, drawing from his own extensive background in the casino resort industry in Las Vegas. Tila is eager for guests, particularly those visiting for the first time, to experience the full scope of the Lunar New Year celebration.

He emphasizes that the design touches throughout Yaamava’ are “very tastefully done,” allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere. “You can feel and experience Lunar New Year not just in the food but in the decor and the guest experience,” Tila notes. This integration of culture into every aspect of the resort makes the celebration even more special, and Tila is excited for guests to see and feel the magic of the holiday.

(Chef Tila in front of Hong Bao Kitchen at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino for Lunar New Year)

Guests are invited to enjoy this special menu at Hong Bao Kitchen from January 29 to February 25, offering a perfect chance to embrace the flavors and traditions of Lunar New Year. Whether it’s your first time experiencing the holiday or a cherished tradition, the menu promises to delight and inspire with every bite.