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    Home » Asian foods » Chinese New Year Recipes

    Chinese New Year Recipes

    Modified: Jan 30, 2025 Published: Jan 17, 2020 by Tracy O. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

    Lunar New Year is a big celebration for Chinese and Asians. Also, people gather to spend time with families and eat tasty foods like hot pot, steamed fish, roast duck, dumplings, and lobster yee mein. It is similar to Western Thanksgiving and Christmas. In this post on Chinese New Year food recipes, I will share some Chinese Lunar New Year recipes and food ideas that my families often eat during spring festival celebrations. Besides, this will be a great menu planning guide for your next Chinese New Year dinner or feast!

    red background Chinese new year recipes ideas

    What is Chinese New Year?

    Chinese New Year is also called Lunar New Year. Chinese worldwide will celebrate this spring festival, the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar.
    Also, it’s generally around late January to early-mid February. The date is different yearly according to the regular calendar but will be the same every lunar year. Besides, other Asia countries such as Japan and Korea also celebrate this Lunar New Year differently.

    Chinese red lanterns hang on trees

    What do people usually do during the Chinese spring festival?

    Chinese spring festivals are like Western Thanksgiving, where families gather together for annual reunion dinners and yummy foods. Traditionally, people deep clean their houses three days before the Lunar New Year (the 28th of the lunar calendar). They believe in cleaning and sweeping away bad fortunes to welcome good luck.

    In addition, people like to decorate their houses with good fortune words, couplets, and Chinese poetry on red paper around doors and windows. Also, people light firecrackers and fireworks. Some do lion dances around houses. Besides, married couples will give red pocket money to kids and unmarried family members or friends, symbolizing good luck.

    mandarin oranges with red pockets

    What kind of foods will people eat during the Lunar New Year?

    Different areas have different traditional Chinese New Year foods. Usually, northern Chinese like to eat noodles, baozi, and dumplings for spring festivals.

    However, southern Chinese eat chicken, seafood such as fish, crab, lobster, shrimp, duck, braised mushrooms, hot pot, turnip cake, sesame balls, sweet glutinous rice cake, tang yuan, candies, mandarin oranges, etc.

    Here are some Chinese Lunar New Year food recipes ideas:

    1. Hot pot

    Hot pot is a beloved Chinese culinary tradition and a communal dining experience that warms your heart and soul. Gathering around a bubbling pot of rich, flavorful broth, family and friends create lasting memories as they cook and share a variety of fresh ingredients. During the Chinese New Year, the hot pot symbolizes unity, prosperity, and the joy of togetherness.

    • Chinese hot pot
      Chinese Hot Pot

    2. Dumplings

    Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my mom making dumplings entirely from scratch, especially during Chinese New Year. My mom would lovingly prepare everything, from kneading the dough for the wrappers to folding each dumpling with love. The aroma of freshly boiled and golden pan-fried dumplings filled our home, making every celebration even more special.

    • Chinese pan fried dumplings one bit open
      Chinese Pan Fried Dumplings
    • boiled Chinese dumpling bite open with chili sauce
      Boiled Dumplings
    • homemade Chinese dumpling wrappers
      Homemade Dumpling Wrappers

    3. Noodles

    In Chinese culture, yi mein, often called longevity noodles or sau mein (壽麵), holds special significance, particularly on birthdays. These noodles symbolize a long and prosperous life because the unbroken strands represent longevity and continuity. Beyond birthdays, noodles are a cherished dish during Chinese New Year, as people believe they will bring good luck and blessings. To celebrate these traditions, here are some inspiring noodle dish ideas.

    • lobster yee mein noodles on the glass plate top view
      Lobster Yee Mein
    • Chicken yi mein noodles on the white plate
      Chicken Yi Mein Noodles
    • Cantonese Chinese crispy noodles on the plate
      Crispy noodles
    • beef chow fun or gon chow ngau ho
      Beef Chow Fun
    • Ma yi shang shu (螞蟻上樹) on a white plate
      Ma Yi Shang Shu
    • wonton noodle soup chopstick holding the noodle horizontal
      Wonton Noodle Soup
    • soy sauce noodles on chopsticks
      Soy Sauce Noodles
    • fuzzy melon or hairy gourd vermicelli dried shrimp on the white plate
      Hairy Gourd Vermicelli and Dried Shrimps
    • braised beef radish ho fun noodle soup in the bowl with sliver chopsticks
      Braised Beef Ho Fun Noodle Soup

    4. Braised mushrooms

    These dishes are a staple of traditional Chinese cuisine, often enjoyed during Chinese New Year celebrations, special banquets, traditional weddings, and other festive occasions. From popular variations, authentic Chinese chicken with mushrooms and the Americanized zucchini mushroom chicken offer a delicious blend of flavors for every palate.

    • braised Chinese shiitake mushrooms on lettuce on a white heart shaped plate
      Braised Chinese Mushrooms
    • Chinese steamed minced pork on the sliver spoon
      Chinese steamed minced pork
    • Chinese mushroom chicken instant pot on a white plate
      Chinese Mushroom Chicken Recipe
    • chicken zucchini mushroom stir fry on a plate
      Zucchini Mushroom Chicken 

    5. Poultry

    Traditionally, Cantonese white-cut chicken and roast duck are must-have dishes for Chinese New Year and festive celebrations. It is a symbol of prosperity and family unity. If you are looking to add more flavors to your feast, here are some delicious Chinese-style chicken dishes to enjoy during the holiday:

    • Cantonese white cut chicken with rice serve with ginger scallion sauce
      White Cut Chicken
    • golden brown baked whole chicken on a wax paper
      Roast Whole Chicken
    • soy sauce chicken wings on a white plate with green towel
      Soy Sauce Chicken Wings
    • mouth watering chicken or saliva chicken dish on a white plate
      Mouth Watering Chicken
    • Chinese roast duck cut up on the plate and close up
      Chinese Roast Duck

    6. Seafood

    People from southern China enjoy cooking seafood for the Chinese New Year. Additionally, many Chinese and Asians prefer to prepare whole fish for this occasion. In Chinese culture, serving a whole fish with its head and tail intact is a longstanding tradition believed to bring good luck. My family also has favorite shrimp dishes: boiled shrimp, ginger scallion crab, steamed shrimp with vermicelli, and garlic chili shrimp.

    • steamed a whole fish on a plate with a towel
      Steam Fish
    • steamed garlic shrimp with vermicelli noodles on a white plate
      Steam Shrimp with Garlic
    • chili garlic shrimp on an oval white plate with blue towel
      Chili Garlic Shrimp
    • Blue crab stir fry with ginger scallion
      Ginger Scallion Crab
    • homemade fried shrimp chips top view
      Shrimp Chips
    • Chinese cashew shrimp stir fry in a white plate
      Cashew Shrimp
    • salt and pepper squid/ calamari on the plate with sauce in the background
      Salt and Pepper Squid
    • baked whole salmon fillet top view
      Baked Whole Salmon Fillet
    • Spicy lemon garlic shrimp in the bowl close up
      Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp

    7. Chinese Cake

    Turnip cake and taro cake are traditional Chinese New Year food and dim sum items, especially in southern China because the word radish in Chinese sounds like good fortune. Besides, nian gao (年糕) is a homonym for "higher year" or "advancing year" in Chinese. It symbolizes progress, growth, and the promise of a better year. Also, Taiwanese people often make and consume Taiwanese pineapple cakes during Chinese New Year—the symbolic association of pineapple with prosperity and good luck.

    • pan fired turnip cake lo bak go on the white plate with a green towel
      Chinese Turnip Cake
    • Chinese New Year rice cake nian gao with red pocket and mandarin oranges
      Nian Gao
    • Taiwanese pineapple cake break it half close up
      Taiwanese Pineapple Cake

    8. Deep Fried

    Deep-fried foods are a staple during Chinese New Year. It is a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. The golden, crispy exterior of these dishes represents abundance and success in the coming year. One of the popular deep-fried treats is sesame balls (煎堆). It puffs up as they fry. It is a symbol of growth and prosperity. The light, airy shrimp chips are crispy snacks often enjoyed during Chinese New Year. They are symbols of happiness and abundance. The crunch and flavor add to the festive table. Whether sweet or savory, these golden-fried bites bring joy and good luck to the Lunar New Year feast.

    • homemade fried shrimp chips top view
      Shrimp Chips
    • sesame balls with custard filling cut open
      Sesame Balls

    9. Pork

    Pork is a beloved ingredient in Chinese New Year celebrations because it symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and family unity. Simple char siu BBQ pork, rich in flavor and tradition, Chinese cured pork belly, and steamed pork ribs add a delicious touch to the holiday feast, bringing good fortune and joy to the new year.

    • sliced char siu Chinese bbq pork on the white long plate
      Char Siu BBQ Pork
    • homemade Chinese cured pork belly on the parchment paper over the tray
      Chinese Cured Pork Belly
    • Chinese pork jerky on a white plate top view
      Chinese Pork Jerky
    • Chinese steamed spareribs with black bean on a bowl of rice
      Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce
    • mapo tofu on a sliver spoon
      Mapo Tofu Recipe
    • a scoop of eggplant and pork stir fry on a silver spoon
      Chinese Eggplant Pork

    10. Vegetables

    Vegetables play an important role in Chinese New Year feasts. They symbolize health, renewal, and prosperity. Dishes like stir-fried bok choy (清炒白菜) represent purity and fresh beginnings. Leafy greens balance the richness of festive meals while carrying meaning for the year ahead.

    • Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce in a rectangle plate
      Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce
    • Chinese bacon and cabbage stir fry on a white plate
      Chinese Cabbage Bacon Stir Fry
    • red yin choy Chinese red spinach amaranth stir fry with garlic in white container
      Chinese Spinach Amaranth
    • stir fry garlic yu choy sum on the white long plate
      Yu Choy Recipe
    • baby boy choy stir fry with garlic
      Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry
    • stir fried water spinach with shrimp paste on a plate
      Stir Fried Water Spinach
    • sweet potato leaves stir fry with garlic on the white plate
      Sweet Potato Leaves Stir Fry
    • Authentic Chinese beef and broccoli
      Chinese Beef and Broccoli

    11. Sweet and sour pork or American Chinese orange chicken 

    American Chinese dishes add a delicious and festive twist to Chinese New Year celebrations. They blend familiar flavors with traditional symbolism. Classics like sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken, walnut shrimp, and orange chicken bring crispy golden bites that symbolize prosperity and good fortune. The balance of crispy textures and bold flavors makes them perfect for ringing in the Lunar New Year with a fusion of tradition and modern taste.

    • Chinese sweet and sour pork
      Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork
    • Panda Express Chinese orange chicken
      Chinese Orange Chicken
    • Chinese Kung pao chicken dish with a spoon
      Kung Pao Chicken
    • honey walnut shrimp on the plate close up
      Walnut Shrimp

    12. Rice

    Rice is a staple in Chinese New Year celebrations. It symbolizes abundance, fertility, and a prosperous year ahead. Dishes like sesame oil chicken rice, ham fried rice, or plain jasmine rice are great with a mix of meats, seafood, and vegetables. They reflect unity and a bountiful harvest. Whether you serve as a main or a side dish, rice is vital in welcoming good luck and prosperity for the new year.

    • a bowl of cooked Jasmine rice with a pair of chopstick on the side
      Instant Pot Rice
    • ham fried rice on a white spoon
      Ham Fried Rice
    • Taiwanese sesame oil chicken rice on a silver spoon
      Sesame Oil Chicken Rice

    13. Soup

    Soup holds special significance during Chinese New Year. It is a symbol of warmth, health, and nurturing family bonds. You can serve a variety of soups during this time, such as watercress soup, lotus root soup, dried bok choy soup, and green radish carrot soup. These soups are known for their nourishing properties and are believed to promote longevity and good fortune. The comforting nature of these soups offers nourishment and a heartfelt wish for prosperity and well-being.

    • lotus root and pork soup close up with lotus root on the white spoon
      Lotus Root Pork Soup
    • watercress pork soup Chinese with a blue towel
      Watercress Soup Chinese
    • sweet corn carrot pork bone soup in a white bowl with a striped green blue towel
      Sweet Corn Carrot Pork Bone Soup
    • Tomato Potato Pork Bone Soup (蕃茄薯仔豬骨湯) recipe
      Tomato Potato Pork Bone Soup
    • green red carrot pork bone soup instant pot
      Green Radish Carrot Pork Bone Soup
    • dried bok choy scallops pork soup in the white bowl
      Dried Bok Choy Soup
    • gobo root soup with carrot pork and jobs tears
      Gobo Soup Recipe
    • a scoop of hot and sour soup on a white spoon
      Chinese Hot and Sour Soup
    • wonton soup with the wonton on a spoon
      Homemade Wonton Soup

    13. Dessert

    Desserts play a sweet and symbolic role in the Chinese New Year. They represent joy, prosperity, and a lovely life ahead. Tang yuan is round and symbolizes the hope for a sweet, harmonious, happiness, good fortune, and prosperous future. These traditional treats bring sweetness to the celebration and wrap up the festivities with blessings for a joyful and prosperous year.

    • tang yuan with black sesame seeds filling bite open on the spoon
      Tang Yuan
    • red bean soup on a white spoon
      Sweet Red Bean Soup
    • taro and tapioca peral dessert scoop on silver spoon
      Taro & Tapioca Pearl Dessert
    • Asian shaved ice baobing with fruit on the spoon
      Asian Shaved Ice
    • green mung bean soup on a spoon
      Sweet Mung Bean Soup
    • tofu pudding in the bowls and spoons
      Tofu Pudding Dessert
    • pan fried sticky rice cake with red bean paste
      Red Bean Paste Rice Cake
    • almond jelly with mixed canned fruit on a sliver spoon
      Almond Jelly
    • holding taro ice cream with the cone
      Taro Ice Cream Recipe
    • black glutinous rice dessert soup on the spoon
      Black Glutinous Rice Dessert
    • Mango pomelo sago dessert with a blue towel in the background
      Mango Pomelo Sago
    • Chinese black sesame soup dessert on a spoon dripping into the bowl horizontal
      Black Sesame Soup

    Happy Chinese New Year! I hope these Chinese Lunar New Year food recipe ideas can help you plan for your next Lunar New Year feast!

    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE:

    • WONTON SOUP (雲吞湯)
    • HOMEMADE RICE NOODLES
    • BRAISED BEEF HO FUN NOODLE SOUP (牛腩河)
    • PHO VIETNAMESE NOODLE SOUP

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    Tracy O.
    About Me

    Welcome to Oh My Food Recipes! Discover delightful meal inspiration in the world of specialty Asian cuisines. Our tried-and-true recipes come with step-by-step photo and video tutorials, making your cooking journey enjoyable and rewarding... Read more!

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