Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (2024)

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Jessica Gavin
May 31, 2023

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Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a master class in flavorful Asian cuisine! With each recipe, you’ll learn how to use your wok (or pan) to recreate your favorite Chinese restaurant meals.

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (2)

Chinese food is easy to make at home with a few unique tools and ingredients. I’m going to show you how to rock the wok and impress your friends and family with simple stir-frys. Pan-fried noodles, flavorful rice, saucy protein, fresh vegetables, and even steamed dishes can be made in the wok.

We’re going to experiment with essential pantry items like oyster sauce, rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil to elevate the umami flavors of each dish. Don’t have them in your pantry yet? It’s time to stock up!

From soups, appetizers, side dishes, and entrees, I hope this recipe roundup will inspire your next kitchen adventure. Don’t worry, I’m here to help you gain confidence in Chinese cooking.

#1) Egg Rolls

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (3)

A crunchy staple! These wonton wrappers are stuffed with a mixture of vegetables, rolled and deep-fried until crispy. It’s easy to add meat into the filling for extra protein.

#2) Crab Rangoon

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (4)

A popular appetizer, these golden purses are filled with a creamy seafood filling and deep-fried. Dip in a sweet and sour sauce for a crowd-pleasing meal that will disappear fast!

#3) Hot and Sour Soup

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (5)

The spicy and tangy broth makes this addicting soup burst with flavor! Each serving is loaded with a mix of chicken, tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.

#4) Homemade Wonton Soup

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This is the ultimate Chinese soup that warms the soul. Each dumpling is filled with pork, and shrimp mixture, then wrapped in square wonton wrappers. Add your favorite vegetables like bok choy, carrots, and mushrooms.

#5) Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (7)

Tender lettuce cups filled with stir-fried turkey and vegetables tossed in a savory sauce. This low carb appetizer is always a win or makes for a delicious crunchy entree.

#6) Easy Fried Rice

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (8)

A Chinese restaurant favorite that’s easy to make at home! Use leftover rice or I’ll show you how to use fresh rice to make this popular dish. Scrambled eggs, carrots, peas, and soy sauce instantly transforms the taste.

#7) Classic Chow Mein

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (9)

It’s hard to resist luscious stir-fried noodles tossed in a savory sauce. This vegetarian recipe adds in fresh cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts and green onions for a colorful combination.

#8) Kung Pao Chicken

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (10)

Tender pieces of chicken breast are quickly stir-fried with crunchy bell peppers and onions. The savory sauce adds just the right amount of heat for spicy food lovers!

#9) General Tso’s Chicken

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (11)

It’s not surprising that this Chinese dish is so popular! The chicken is coated in cornstarch then deep-fried until golden and crisp. The pieces are tossed in an irresistible sweet and spicy sticky sauce.

#10) Beef with Broccoli

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (12)

An easy dish to master! Slices of tender steak marinate and then sear in a hot wok tossed with broccoli florets. A savory oyster sauce coats all of the ingredients, ensuring that no vegetables are left behind.

BONUS) Steamed Custard Buns

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (13)

My favorite dim sum dessert! This recipe takes a little more time and a lot of love to create, but it’s worth it! Airy and light steamed buns filled with a sweet custard. You’ll have fun learning how to make the yeast bread from scratch!

Happy New Year!

Hungry for more? Browse all of my Chinese Recipes. But I’ll warn you. They’re going to make your to-do list longer 🙂

Published on

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (14)

Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (15)

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9 Comments Leave a comment or review

  1. Layla says

    We love egg foo yung. Use smallest cut artificial crab meat.. Can get fresh bean sprouts at Harris Teeter. And people always ask hiw to make that gravy. Its so easy with chicken broth, corn starch, soy sauce, oyster sauce and tsp of sugar. And don’t get complicated on vegetables. Just add mixed peas and carrots.

    Reply

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Thanks for sharing Layla! It’s been so long since I’ve had egg foo young, time to make it again!

      Reply

  2. Dave says

    Nice recipe collection. Thanks.

    Reply

  3. Helena says

    This is terrific. Thank you.

    Reply

  4. JIM SLAMA says

    Damn girl. This is a hard choice of which one to start with.

    Reply

  5. Lynn Brown says

    Thanks for all the recipes. It will make this weekend a good celebration

    Reply

  6. Pepper Wright says

    I am going to make them all. Can’t wait for the dessert. Thanks

    Reply

  7. KEVIN TONG says

    Hi, As a Chinese, The recipes featured are hardly authentic especially for the celebration of Chinese Year. You have not featured the dishes often had instead its merely simple ‘Western Style’ Dishes and beef is seldom part of New Year dish. More research should have been had before sharing these recipes. Otherwise it is colourfull but authentic? Definately not.

    Reply

  8. Ed Tyer says

    Let rattle dat wok…yes do talk like dat in New Orleans??

    Reply

Top 10 Recipes for Chinese New Year (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular food for Chinese New Year? ›

Dumplings are a staple of traditional Chinese cuisine. These savory treats, which can be pan-fried or boiled, are a popular Lunar New year food representing financial fortune for the year ahead. Dumplings can be made to suit any taste and are often filled with pork, chicken, shrimp or vegetables.

What are 6 lucky foods for Chinese New Year? ›

Ingredients like citrus, such as oranges (which symbolize good fortune), roasting whole chickens or fish (which symbolize wholeness and abundance), serving long noodles like Dan Dan noodles (which symbolize longevity), and spring rolls (which symbolize wealth) are all classic good luck foods to serve.

What is traditional Chinese New Year menu? ›

Traditional Lunar New Year foods include longevity noodles, a whole steamed fish for abundance, sticky rice balls for togetherness, and more. Below you'll find some of those lucky foods, along with other traditional dishes like dumplings and rice cakes.

What are the four Chinese New Year dishes? ›

Here you go – the four Chinese New Year dishes. We've unwrapped the stories and symbolism encapsulated in fish (魚/鱼; yú), dumplings (餃子/饺子; jiǎo zi), chicken (雞/鸡; jī), and spring rolls (春捲/春卷; chūn jǔn) – each dish is a delicious narrative of prosperity, unity, and renewal in Chinese New Year celebrations.

What is the two foods to eat during Chinese New Year to bring good luck? ›

Oranges, kumquats, tangerines and pomelos are common Chinese New Year food gifts because they're believed to bring good luck and happiness. The Chinese words for orange and tangerine closely resemble the words for luck and wealth. The gold color also symbolizes prosperity.

What are the 7 Lucky new year's food traditions around? ›

7 Lucky New Year's Traditions
  • Grapes // Spain. Better hope all those grapes taste sweet! ...
  • Black-Eyed Peas // Southern United States. ...
  • Soba Noodles // Japan. ...
  • Pomegranate // Eastern Europe. ...
  • Lentils // Europe & South America. ...
  • Marzipan Pigs // Germany & Scandinavia. ...
  • Pickled Herring // Poland, Scandinavia.

What foods are not eaten on Chinese New Year? ›

In Chinese tradition, white is an unlucky color because it symbolizes death, so all white foods are out for the celebration. Tofu, eggs, rice, cauliflower, white cheeses—say goodbye to them for the night. Instead, fill your New Year's table with other colorful foods.

Can you eat chicken on Chinese New Year? ›

A whole chicken

One of the most common offerings to grace the New Year table is a chicken—the Chinese word for chicken, ji, is a hom*onym for good luck. There is no one traditional way to prepare the Lunar New Year bird; it can be steamed, poached, braised, roasted, or smoked.

What food is eaten on Chinese New Year and why? ›

Spinach, lettuce, bok choy and other leafy greens symbolize prosperity, growth and good fortune–and their presence in Lunar New Year dishes is no coincidence. The Mandarin term for greens, "qing cai," echoes the word for wealth, making these vegetables popular in stir-fries, soups and hot pot meals.

Can you eat eggs on Chinese New Year? ›

Tofu, eggs, some kinds of cheese, you name it. In many Chinese communities, white is often associated with mourning, the opposite of what we want for the start of the a new year. While red envelopes and decorations are all about good fortune and prosperity, eating white foods are seen as inviting death into the home.

What food to prepare for Chinese New Year 2024? ›

Best Lunar New Year 2024 Recipes
  • Tang Yuan (Sweet Rice Balls with Sesame Filling) Recipe. Foodomania. ...
  • Dan Dan Noodles. Planta. ...
  • Chinese Hot Pot. A Spicy Perspective. ...
  • Chinese Roasted Chicken (烧鸡) ...
  • Authentic Chinese Dumplings. ...
  • Chinese Pan-Fried Fish with Soy Sauce. ...
  • Perfect Chinese Noodles (Lo Mein) ...
  • Chinese Sliced Tofu Salad.
Feb 9, 2024

Can you eat meat on Chinese New Year? ›

Many folks choose not to eat meat on New Year's Day as it is considered taboo to kill animals on the first day of the year. Congee should also be avoided as it was deemed as a common meal for those less fortunate in ancient times. Lastly, avoid taking any medicine on New Year's Day as it is also thought to be bad luck.

What do you drink for Chinese New Year? ›

Families have their own unique alcoholic beverage that they drink every year during the festival. The most common alcohol is Chinese white wine, or baijiu. Although similar to other East Asian drinks, baijiu is much stronger and more similar to vodka and is drank using shot glasses.

What is not allowed on the first day of the Chinese New Year? ›

On the first day of the lunar year:

No washing clothes or hair or bathing. The first and second day of the lunar year is the birthday of the “Water God”, so you are not supposed to use water to show respect for the Water God. No sweeping the floor or taking out rubbish. If you do so, you are carrying your fortune out.

What two days in the Chinese New Year hold the most important meals? ›

The most important meal of the year in China is the Spring Festival Dinner, held on Lunar New Year's Eve, and dishes associated with good luck, such as dumplings, rice cakes, fish, dates, and Mandarin oranges, are served.

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