Shangri-La Eros New Delhi brings the rich traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival to the capital with a special three-day celebration at Shang Palace. From June 19 to 21, 2026, guests can discover one of China’s most celebrated cultural occasions through a thoughtfully curated menu that reflects the flavours, customs, and festive dining traditions at the heart of the festival.
Observed on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, the Dragon Boat Festival is one of China’s oldest and most deeply held celebrations. It is a grand folk festival that integrates worshipping gods and ancestors, praying for blessings and warding off evil, celebration and entertainment.
The menu assembled for the occasion at Shang Palace reflects that directly. The opening courses set the tone with a Seafood Crab Meat and Avocado Salad with Micro Greens and a Double-Boiled Organic Black Chicken Soup with Chinese Herbs; the latter a preparation that speaks to the patient, restorative qualities that run through some of the most treasured traditions of Chinese cooking. The dim sum and appetiser selection is anchored by Zongzi, glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves and offered with chicken, pork, and vegetarian fillings; the dish most closely associated with the festival itself. Crispy Orange Chicken and a Sichuan-Style Pan-Fried Mock Meat Dumpling complete the opening with contrasting textures and a broader sense of the menu’s range.
A Six-Hour Braised Duck with Tea Egg is among the menu’s most considered preparations; slow-cooked, layered in flavour, and designed for the communal style of dining that sits at the heart of the festival. The Stir-Fry Chicken with Black Vinegar and Caramelised Walnut takes a brighter approach, balancing acidity and sweetness with precision. The vegetarian mains; Kung Pao King Oyster Mushroom and Stir-Fry Lotus Root with Asparagus, Morel Mushroom, and Macadamia Nuts; are prepared with equal attention and stand confidently alongside the rest of the menu.
Rice and noodle dishes conclude the savoury courses with a Shrimp and Scallop Fried Rice and a Wok-Fried E-Fu Noodle with Mock Meat; familiar in form yet thoughtful in execution. The Desserts Sampler Platter brings the experience to a close with Crispy Fried Almond Darsan, Strawberry Pistachio Moon Cake, and Five Spices Ice Cream; a trio that draws inspiration from the diversity of Chinese festive sweets while offering a balanced and memorable finish.
Beyond the menu, the celebration extends into the cultural traditions that have long defined the Dragon Boat Festival. Shang Palace will host a traditional lion dance performance, offering guests an opportunity to experience one of the festival’s most vibrant and recognisable customs. With its rhythmic movements, symbolic significance, and festive energy, the performance brings the spirit of the celebration from its Chinese roots to the heart of New Delhi, adding another dimension to an experience that goes beyond dining alone.
The specially curated à la carte menu will be available exclusively from June 19 to 21, 2026 during lunch from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm and dinner from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm, inviting guests to experience a celebration where food, culture, and tradition come together around the table.
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