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Chinese New Year Recipes: the 25+ most traditional recipes to celebrate the Lunar Year
Chinese New Year, or Lunar Year, is celebrated with rich, tangy-flavored dishes. Here it is a selection of 25+ traditional recipes, from Chinese dim sum, main, side dishes and desserts.
By Cookist
226
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar Year, is a celebration that welcomes the new year according to the lunisolar Chinese calendar. The date changes each year, but traditionally the day is usually set between mid-January and February.
This festival (known as chūnjié in Chinese) is all about traditions, fireworks, red color and a lot of food packed with tangy, spicy oriental flavors. We've selected a list of 25+ recipes from dim sum, main dishes, side dishes to typical desserts.
These Chinese New Year recipes are supposed to bring good luck, health and family unity, from longevity noodles to the traditional nian gao cake. That's why people should always serve two whole fish to keep one as a symbol of surplus for the New Year, a whole chicken as integrity and prosperity, while spring rolls should symbolize wealth because of their shape reminiscent of gold bars.
What are you waiting for? Let's start the Lunar Year bringing good luck!
Chinese New Year Appetizers
1. Fried Wontons: a crispy, tasty Chinese appetizer that will satisfy your taste buds 
Fried wontons are Chinese appetizer recipe. It's packed with a savory filling that has been sealed in wonton wrappers and fried until sturdy, crispy, golden brown.
Read the recipe 2. Chinese Spring Rolls: the traditional Chinese recipe for a tasty, vegetarian appetizer 
Chinese spring rolls are a cylindrical-shaped vegetarian appetizer. Crispy outside and with a juicy filling, they're deep-fried and served with a light, sweet sauce.
Read the recipe 3. Turnip Cakes: the easy lo bak go recipe for a classic Chinese dim sum dish 
Turnip cakes are a savory dim sum served at Chinese New Year as symbol of good luck. With a crispy crust and a tender inside, this cake first steamed and then pan-fried is made with mushrooms, sausage, dried shrimp, daikon radish.
Read the recipe 4. Lion’s Head Meatballs: a delicious classic Chinese New Year recipe 
Lion's head meatballs are a popular Chinese New Year recipe. It's a classic Huaiyang dish, made from braised or steamed pork meatballs seasoned with tasty, fragrant ingredients.
Read the recipe 5. Scallion pancakes: the tasty recipe for a classic Chinese street food dish 
Crunchy, chewy, with just the right amount of flakiness, scallion pancakes are a phenomenally delicious Chinese street food that is often found on Chinese takeout menus. These yummy pancakes are also known as "cong you bing", and people enjoy them as part of savory breakfast or as an appetizer.
Read the recipe 6. Youtiao: the delicious recipe for making golden-brown Chinese Dough Sticks 
Youtiao are an easy Chinese recipe to make fried dough strips. Puffy, airy on the inside, and crispy on the outside, it’s a popular breakfast item, usually served with congee.
Read the recipe Lunar Year Main Dishes
7. Braised Short Rib Dumplings: the irresistible recipe for Japanese Gyoza 
Braised short rib dumplings are typical Japanese meat ravioli also known as gyoza. They are small bundles of pasta, rolled out thinly and sealed, stuffed with minced pork, cabbage, spring onions, fresh ginger and soy sauce, ingredients that make their flavor unique and unmistakable. So, what are you waiting for?
Read the recipe 8. Baozi: the easy recipe for making Chinese Steamed Pork Buns 
Baozi are a tasty recipe for making Chinese steamed pork buns. Often served as part of dim sum, these fluffy light buns are rich in a flavor-packed pork filling.
Read the recipe 9. Kung Pao Chicken: the mouthwatering recipe for a popular Chinese takeaway dish 
With its salty, sweet, spicy flavor, kung pao chicken is a popular Chinese takeaway dish. Crispy yet juicy, chicken is dry stir-fried and flavored with a rich, thick sauce.
Read the recipe 10. Beef and broccoli: a fast and delicious stir-fry recipe 
This easy-to-make stir-fry is as mouthwateringly tasty as it is healthy. Beef and broccoli is a quick recipe you can whip up in under 20 minutes, which makes it a stellar option for busy families looking to keep things simple without skimping on flavor or nutrition. It's a healthier take on a takeaway favorite that you can tuck into without worrying about excess grease or salt content.
Read the recipe 11. Almond Chicken: the authentic Chinese main recipe 
Almond chicken is an easy Chinese stir-fry recipe. It's made of small, tender chicken bites coated in a creamy soy-based sauce, shredded vegetables and crunchy almonds.
Read the recipe 12. Roast Chicken: the flavorful main dish recipe for a juicy, tender whole roast chicken 
Roast chicken is a classic, tasty main dish recipe. With a crispy skin, whole roast chicken is juicy, tender and flavorful thanks to butter and aromatic herbs.
Read the recipe 13. Chinese Lemon Chicken: a tasty copycat recipe for the popular takeaway dish 
Chinese lemon chicken is a tasty take-out fake-out recipe everyone will love. Tender, juicy breaded chicken breasts are fried and topped with a sweet, zesty lemon sauce.
Read the recipe 14. Cashew Chicken Stir-fry: complete meal rich of flavor 
If you’re looking for a quick meal that will become your new go-to, this cashew chicken stir-fry is for you! This recipe requires simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes. If you are short on time, you can prep this dish ahead of time by having everything measured and chopped before preparing.
Read the recipe 15. Beef Stir-Fry: a quick, flavorful recipe for busy weeknights 
Beef stir-fry is a simple yet flavorful Chinese main dish. It's made with tender beef morsels, crunchy snow peas, bell peppers and carrots tossed in a savory-sweet, spicy sauce.
Read the recipe 16. General Tso’s Chicken: favorite Chinese takeout made at home 
General Tso’s chicken, consisting of crunchy pieces of chicken covered in a smooth, spicy, and sweet sauce, is a common take out dish from Chinese restaurants. It seems decadent and complicated with the range of flavors and ingredients, but is simple to make. General tso’s chicken is similar to orange chicken, another famous Chinese dish of crunchy chicken covered in a sweet orange sauce.
Read the recipe 17. Shrimp stir fry: the fast, healthy weeknight dinner with incredible much flavor 
This shrimp stir fry recipe is mouthwateringly delicious and absurdly easy to make. It takes about half an hour from the moment you start chopping your veggies to when you're taking your first forkful. Thanks to ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, sesame, and chili flakes, this stir fry is loaded with flavor and offers a clever way to sneak more vegetables into your diet (or your kids'!).
Read the recipe 18. Orange Chicken: the authentic recipe for making a tasty Chinese main 
Orange chicken is a tasty main dish rich in Chinese flavors. it's made from chicken pieces which are fried until crispy, then covered with a sticky, sweet orange sauce.
Read the recipe 19. Roast Duck: the delicious recipe for a phenomenal holiday dinner 
Roast duck is a perfect holiday main dish. With a sweet-savory balsamic, lemon and honey glaze, crispy skin, and tender, juicy meat, this simple roast duck is delicious.
Read the recipe Chinese New Year Sides
20. Longevity Noodles: the mouthwatering recipe for easy Chinese Yi Mein 
Longevity noodles (yi mein) are a Chinese main dish very popular during celebratory events. Slightly spongy, this stir-fried dish symbolizes long life, prosperity, and good fortune.
Read the recipe 21. Stir-Fried Lettuce: a fast, tasty Chinese side dish everyone will love 
Stir-fried lettuce is a mouthwatering, quick, and easy Chinese side dish. It is a popular dish to serve during Chinese New Year as it's considered a lucky food.
Read the recipe 22. Easy Lo Mein: a fast, tasty dinner to enjoy week nights 
If you've been searching for a quick, delicious dinner you can whip up in minutes, it's time to break out your wok and make some lo mein. It's a great way to get in a healthy serving of vegetables, and you can customize it to be vegetarian-friendly with tofu, or load your lo mein with protein like chicken, beef, pork, whatever you prefer.
Read the recipe 23. Chow Mein: Flavorful & Fast Weeknight Noodles 
Chicken chow mein is an incredibly fast and easy weeknight noodle dish. It features thinly-sliced chicken in a flavorful soy sauce-based glaze with chewy chow mein noodles.
Read the recipe 24. Lettuce Soup: our recipe for a delicious soup with cheese and crunchy croûtons 
This lettuce soup is a hearty recipe to enjoy during cold seasons. Stew the lettuce with onions and blend it with cream cheese until creamy, then serve it with croûtons.
Read the recipe Chinese New Year Desserts
25. Chinese New Year Cake: the delicious, easy recipe for homemade Nian Gao 
Nian gao, or Chinese New Year cake is a steamed cake typically enjoyed during Lunar New Year celebrations. Made from glutinous rice flour, it is a symbol for a more prosperous year.
Read the recipe 26. Fa Gao: the impressive, delicious Chinese Prosperity Cake 
Fa Gao (or prosperity cake) are a Chinese dessert with a cracked flower design. These steamed cakes are enjoyed during the Lunar Year, or special events as they should bring luck and money.
Read the recipe 27. Chinese Almond Cookies: the traditional recipe to celebrate the Lunar Year 
Chinese Almond Cookies are a popular Chinese-American treat to enjoy during Lunar Year celebration. Super easy to make, it’s crumbly, and packed with almond flavor.
Read the recipe 28. Sesame Balls: the Chinese tasty recipe you need to try 
Sesame balls (Jian Dui) is a traditional Chinese treat made from sticky rice flour dough. It’s filled with a sweet red bean paste, rolled in sesame seeds and fried until puffy.
Read the recipe 29. Chinese Steamed Custard Buns: the easy recipe for making Nai Wong Bao 
Chinese Steamed Custard Buns are classic dim sum also known as Nai Wong Bao. Sweet and delicate in flavor, they're fluff, with a creamy custard filling.
Read the recipe 30. Homemade Fortune Cookies: the delicious recipe for a crispy, sugary cookie 
Homemade fortune cookie recipe are a tasty recipe associated to Chinese restaurants. Little tricky to make, they're crispy, sugary cookies where you can slip a note into the center.
Read the recipe
Desserts
Chinese Almond Cookies: the traditional recipe to celebrate the Lunar Year
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30 min + Chilling time
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