Today I’m presenting a handful delicious dishes for Chinese New Year Menu Ideas. The Chinese New Year begins just around the corner, on February 5th.
Beginning on the second new moon, after the winter solstice, and ending on the full moon fifteen days later, Chinese New Year is a Chinese festival that marks the beginning of the new year. Also called Lunar New Year, the celebration revolves around family and friends, special meals, fireworks, and gift giving.
I’m not claiming to be an expert on Chinese New Year or Chinese food, but with my culinary expertise I’ve created this delectable collection of dishes for Chinese New Year menu ideas.
And if you’re not celebrating, who wouldn’t want a delicious Asian inspired feast any day!?
“Asian inspired” is the key phrase here. These dishes are not authentic Chinese dishes, although I think a couple might pass with flying colors. They are however, Asian inspired dishes that I think work well for the holiday. Let’s go with it, shall we? 🙂
There are several foods considered to be lucky to eat during Chinese New Year:
- fish – for an increase in prosperity
- dumplings – for wealth
- spring rolls – for wealth
- sweet rice balls – for family bonding
- good fortune fruits – these include grapes, lychee, plums, jujube, kumquats and more, and are for fullness and wealth
- rice cakes – for a higher salary and career status
- longevity noodles – for happiness and longevity
The dishes I’m sharing here represent many of the above: fish, dumplings, rice, good fortune fruits, and longevity noodles. I hope you love them as much as I do!
Chinese New Year Menu Ideas
Ginger-Garlic Chicken Dumplings
Thai Inspired Mahi Mahi
(I know, it says “Thai.” Please remember what I said, these are Asian inspired dishes, not authentic Chinese dishes, that work really well for the menu. 🙂 )
Lychee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Enjoy!
Here’s more about food symbolism during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Ron says
January 27, 2019 at 6:38 amHaving spent over 20 years traveling and working in China, I’d say your yi mein would suit most Chinese folks I worked with. All of your inspired dishes would be well received.
We always celebrate Chinese New Years either by cooking up a Chinese banquet for friends or meeting up with our local Chinese friends at their restaurant. Happy year of the pig!
valentina says
January 27, 2019 at 11:01 amWell Ron, having spent that much time in China, I’m happy (and relieved!) you approve. 🙂 The Longevity Noodles are my favorite! Happy year of the pig to you too. I bet you’re cooking something delicious!
Andrea Metlika says
January 27, 2019 at 12:28 pmThese dishes are all magnificent. Truly appreciate the inspiration of this.
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 12:30 amThanks so much, Andrea!
Pam Greer says
January 27, 2019 at 2:20 pmOh, I think I want to make them all! I love all your Asian inspired recipes!
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 12:30 amDo! 😉 Thank you!
Shanika says
January 27, 2019 at 4:31 pmThese dishes look so good! Perfect for a celebration indeed!
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 12:29 amThanks Shanika! Hope you try some of them. 🙂
Adrianne says
January 27, 2019 at 5:14 pmWow, there are so many great ideas here!! I love the dumplings and spring rolls and I could eat noodles every day for the rest of my life – YUM!! Cheers for inspiring me with an Asian theme today.
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 12:28 amI feel the same way about noodles. 😀 Thanks for visiting.
Laura | Wandercooks says
January 27, 2019 at 6:25 pmDumplings are my all-time fav, or should I say all-year haha, but I’ve not tried longevity noodles before – definitely keen to give these a try!
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 12:27 amThose noodles are my favorite! I hope you try them. Thanks!
Christina Conte says
January 27, 2019 at 9:50 pmAn excellent array of choices for the new year celebrations, Valentina! Those noodles are calling my name! 🙌🏻
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 12:27 amThanks Christina. Making those dumplings was my 13-yr-old’s idea! xo
David @ Spiced says
January 28, 2019 at 2:52 amWe’ve never celebrated Chinese New Year, and now I’m starting to wonder why not. This sounds like an excellent menu, and that crispy fried rice is going to be stuck in my head all day today! Everything looks delicious! 🙂
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 8:51 amThanks, David! I always love a holiday that involves a lot of delicious food. 🙂
Dawn says
January 28, 2019 at 4:58 amWow! I’d love to make a meal with a few of these in the mix. So fun knowing what’s behind each dish. I’d have to make extra dumplings because I’m obsessed with those. Yours look perfect!!
valentina says
January 28, 2019 at 8:52 amThanks, Dawn! There are never too many dumplings! I always make a ton of extra and freeze them. My kids love them too. Hope you have a great week. 🙂
Nancy says
January 28, 2019 at 12:43 pmThis is why I should NEVER, EVER read your posts before lunch 🙂 Now, of course all I want are those chicken dumplings… and there are none to be found :-(.
I definitely agree this menu passes with flying colors – absolutely delicious!!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
January 30, 2019 at 8:48 amChinese New Year always sneaks up on me for some reason. Probably because it’s a moveable feast. Anyway, love all of your menu ideas! Like ’em all, but I’ll never turn down dumplings. Ever. 🙂
valentina says
January 30, 2019 at 4:25 pmI’m with you on the dumplings, John. Impossible to turn down. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
Kelly | Foodtasia says
January 31, 2019 at 10:00 amEverything looks so delicious! Those are definitely calling my name!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
January 31, 2019 at 10:02 am*Those noodles!* – Got me so excited I forgot how to type!
valentina says
January 31, 2019 at 4:00 pmThanks so much, Kelly. I do love those noodles! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
angiesrecipes says
February 3, 2019 at 3:30 amwow I want to try the whole menu, esp. those dumplings…so good!
valentina says
February 3, 2019 at 1:09 pmThanks so much, Angie. I do love dumplings! 🙂
valentina says
February 3, 2019 at 1:11 pmThanks so much, Frank. I like to celebrate too — especially since it’s surrounded by so much good food. So nice you have good Chinese restaurants where you live. Such delicious food! 🙂