Lakewood Ranch’s Korê Steakhouse, located in Waterside Place, will host a Lunar New Year festival alongside the community’s weekly Ranch Nite on Jan. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Korê owner Daniel Dokko has close ties with the festival due to his Korean heritage. He explains that Korean Lunar New Year, called Seollal (설날), and Chinese Lunar New Year (春节)—both of which are linked to the lunisolar calendar—don’t always fall on the same day, but do this year.
Both celebrations include beloved, culturally significant culinary traditions. “One of the things that brings me the best memories is eating rice cake soup, called tteokguk, for the New Year,” Dokko says. “It’s a staple dish meant to bring health and prosperity for the next year. We eat it ensure we eat well for the rest of the year.”…