Chinese New Year Recipes You Have to Try!
In Chinese culture, New Year is the salient holiday celebrated by millions around the globe. It is the beginning of the lunar year; thus, the exact date will vary each year based on the new moon. The background of this celebration is unbelievably interesting, as it involves various mythical legends, traditions, and customs.
The color red, dragons, and lions are a massive part of it, so prepare to see many motives involving this trio. When it comes to food, Chinese people choose each dish for its symbolic meaning related to luck, prosperity, and health. Here is a list of some iconic Chinese New Year recipes!
Jiaozi – Chinese Dumplings
Dumplings are my favorite dish from Chinese cuisine, so I simply needed to list them first! They symbolize wealth and prosperity, so don’t miss them for your New Year’s feast. This recipe calls for pork and shrimp mix, but you can definitely go with chicken or beef instead.
Yú – Chinese Style Whole Fish
Whole fish is a staple for Chinese New Year, and this recipe calls for striped bass. Spice it up with ginger, cilantro, soy sauce, and white pepper for the signature flavor. Everything is explained in depth, so it is foolproof!
Yee Sheng – Prosperity Toss Salad
This is probably the most exciting salad you can prepare ever, as every ingredient has its own meaning – I recommend you to search it up! This is a beautifully balanced salad with cucumber, carrot, daikon, mango, taro, salmon, and wonton strips sprinkled with amazing plum sauce dressing.
Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are the most remarkable gem of Chinese cuisine; they are simply an iconic dish! Stuff your spring roll wrappers with minced meat, shrimp, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, shiitake mushrooms, and a few more ingredients. The seasoning and sauce are spot on!
Chángshòu Miàn – Longevity Noodles
Long noodles signify a long life, so it is a must to have them on your New Year’s table. This is a simple dish to prepare, which pairs flawlessly with most of the other dishes you’re going to serve.
Tāngyuán – Sweet Rice Balls
This is definitely the cutest dish ever; I love these beautiful colors! They are glutinous rice flour-based and boiled in sugary water. The taste and texture are, indeed, very specific, but they are something you don’t eat on a daily basis.
Fāgāo – Chinese Prosperity Cake
This dainty sponge cake is not your usual cake – it is rice-based and steamed, so it has a cloudy texture. You actually don’t need any special ingredients; they are really simple, as the key is in the prep process – check it out.
Braised Mushroom with Bok Choy
This is a superb vegan option for a main course or a flawless side dish with any meat you’re serving. The richness of flavors comes from garlic, oyster, and soy sauce, plus the textures are incredible – mushrooms are meaty, while bok choy stays crispy and juicy.
Peking Duck
Pecking duck is one of the most iconic dishes in the world’s cuisine, so it is no wonder Chinese people like to prepare it for New Year’s Eve. It is, in fact, a symbol of welt and luxury. You will get an impeccable bite – crispy skin and succulent meat inside.
Eight Treasure Rice
The number 8 is considered fortunate in Chinese culture, so this sticky rice pudding has eight different toppings. The red bean paste filling is optional, and you can choose any nuts, dried or candied fruit you like for garnish!
Tea Eggs
The name means just what you think – eggs boiled in tea (plus soy sauce and spices). It is definitely something you don’t see every day, making it even more special. P.S. I love this “cracked” look; they remind me of cartoon dinosaur eggs!
Braised Pork Belly
Slow-cooking pork belly in sauces will give you an incredibly tender bite with a sweet-savory smack. The secret is in the ingredient pairing, as you have garlic, ginger, anise, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorn, Shaoxing wine, and soy sauce.
Lion’s Head Meatballs
This is a rather interesting name for meatballs, as they actually resemble a mythical lion – a symbol of strength. Made with minced pork, these meatballs are fabulously tender and flavorful. The broth gives them the final touch, so don’t skip it!
Lotus Root Stir-Fry
I’ve never had lotus root stirfry before, but after seeing this recipe, I’m planning to change that. This is a simple recipe with lotus and a spicy component only, but you can definitely add more ingredients like carrots, bell peppers, or even meat.
Steamed Shrimp
If you’re a shrimp fan – this is the dish of your dreams. The most interesting thing is that shrimps symbolize happiness due to their resemblance to smiling faces – cute, right? The recipe calls for four ingredients only, so you know the taste is strong.
Braised Tofu with Red Bell Pepper
This is a flawless vegan option for your guests! The main focus of the dish is definitely signature spicy Chinese sauce, with scallions, ginger, garlic, chili, soy, sesame seeds, and Chinese five spice.
Spicy Eight Treasures Stir-Fry
One more dish with the happy number 8 for New Year’s Eve? Yes, please! You can alter the recipe to your preference and add anything you fancy; just make sure there are eight different ingredients. This blend is fantastic, though!
Braised Sea Cucumber with Chicken and Mushroom
Sea cucumbers are a rare ingredient with a unique, luxurious texture that can elevate any dish. This trio makes a fabulous base to add different spices and seasoning, such as star anise, ginger, wine, oyster, and soy sauce.
Steamed Buns
You will definitely need some time to make these from scratch, but there is something very special in homemade baozi. The flavors are vibrant due to the loads of spices and seasonings in the recipe. P.S. You can use any steamer you have.
Sticky Rice with Lotus Leaf
This is a complex dish with layers and layers of flavors. Well-seasoned sticky rice wrapped in aromatic lotus leaves is only a base; after this comes marinated chicken, dried shrimp, duck eggs, Chinese sausage, and bacon.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__recipes__images__2015__03__20150316-sticky-rice-with-lotus-leaf-shao-zhong-33-1fe07224fcae4ef08ef375bc42513dfe.jpg)
Braised Abalone
This is a special occasion dish, as abalone is a true delicacy. I love the idea of pairing it with broccoli and shiitake mushrooms, as they won’t overpower its distinctive smack. Cooking them in oyster sauce will give you a phenomenal silky consistency.
Buddha’s Delight
This is a traditional dish for the Chinese New Year, and it has rather intriguing ingredients. It is a beautiful medley of bean thread noodles, black moss, wood ears, Chinese mushrooms, lily buds, and a few more. Check it out!
Sesame Balls with Red Bean Paste
I love sesame seeds-based sweets because of their nutty caramel flavor. Besides signature sesame seed crunch, you will get a silky smooth filling made with red bean paste, which is a staple in Chinese cuisine.
Dragon’s Beard Candy
This is Chinese cotton candy, but you must admit, dragon’s beard is a way cooler name! To make this one, you need a few ingredients, loads of patience, and some skill. But the good news is – it will be fun!
Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
Compared to regular eggplants, the Chinese variety is milder, less bitter, slightly sweet, and super tender. Because of these perks, they meld perfectly in sauces, making them rich and silky. This is absolutely flawless pairing!
Snow Skin Mooncakes
I saved the cutest for last! This is a traditional dessert with a soft, chewy texture. The filling is the best part, though, as you can infuse it with different flavors like matcha, taro, or fruit. Check out this base recipe!
Chefs, a big thank you for these fantastic recipes. I loved reading the symbolic background of each one!
