🥢 Dim Sum Declassified: How to Host a Lunar New Year Feast Using Costco Finds

Lunar New Year is a time of prosperity, family, and food—lots of food. But hosting a traditional banquet can be daunting and expensive. Okami Foods is celebrating the Year of the Horse by giving away a prize pack that includes a $100 Costco Gift Card. While you enter to win the groceries, let’s explore how to turn the Costco freezer aisle into a Michelin-star experience.

The Economics of Dim Sum: Restaurant vs. Home

Dim Sum (literally “touch the heart”) is a Cantonese tradition of small, bite-sized portions served in steamer baskets. In a restaurant, these small plates add up quickly. A meal for four can easily exceed $150. However, thanks to brands like Okami and the bulk buying power of Costco, you can replicate this feast for a fraction of the cost.

Winning the $100 Costco Card in this sweepstakes essentially funds two or three massive dinner parties. The Okami Bao Buns included in the prize are a freezer staple—fluffy, savory, and ready in minutes.

The Art of the Bamboo Steamer

If you are going to eat Bao, you must steam them. While microwaves are convenient, they ruin the texture of the dough, making it chewy and tough. A traditional Bamboo Steamer is the secret weapon. It absorbs excess moisture, preventing condensation from dripping back onto the buns, ensuring they remain fluffy.

Stacking allows you to cook multiple dishes at once over a single wok of boiling water. Place items that take longer (like sticky rice) on the bottom tier, and delicate items (like shrimp dumplings) on top.

Hidden Gems in the Costco Asian Aisle

Costco has significantly expanded its Asian food selection. Beyond the Okami Bao, look for:

• Frozen Shrimp Wontons: Often found in the freezer section, these come with a soup base and are perfect for a quick lunch.
• Lap Cheong (Chinese Sausage): Available seasonally, these sweet and savory sausages are essential for fried rice.
• Abalone Sauce: A luxury ingredient often available in bulk around Lunar New Year.
• Pineapple Cakes: A traditional Taiwanese pastry that symbolizes prosperity (the word for pineapple sounds like “wealth comes” in Hokkien).

The Stanley Cup Connection

Why is a Stanley Quencher part of a Lunar New Year giveaway? Hydration is key after a salty meal! Asian cuisine is flavor-rich, often utilizing soy sauce and oyster sauce. Having a massive 40oz tumbler of water ensures you stay hydrated. The “Berry Gloss” color included in the prize perfectly matches the festive red and pink hues of the holiday.

Plus, the RayRay Lantern Jellycat plush included in the prize adds a touch of whimsy to your home decor, serving as a cute mascot for the Year of the Horse celebration.

Conclusion: Start the Year with Good Fortune

Whether you are celebrating tradition or just love good food, this giveaway is the perfect start to the Lunar New Year. Good food brings people together, and a $100 gift card makes it taste even better. Enter below!