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Home ยป International Recipes ยป Flavors from Asia ยป Chinese New Year Food Ideas

Chinese New Year Food Ideas

Feb 7, 2021 ยท by Valentina ยท 36 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

I'm presenting a handful delicious recipes for Chinese New Year Menu Ideas -- and they all have what are considered to be "lucky foods" for the holiday.

Collage of Chinese New Year Menu Ideas including noodles, fresh lychee, black cod and dumplings.

About Chinese New Year

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.

The following recipes for Chinese New Year might not be authentic, but they've been made with my culinary expertise. And I think a couple might pass with flying colors.

If you're not celebrating the lunar new year, wouldn't you want a delicious Asian inspired feast anyway?

These are Asian inspired dishes that I think work well for the holiday.

Let's go with it, shall we? ๐Ÿ™‚

7 Lucky Foods for 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 foods thought to bring good luck: fish, dumplings, rice, good fortune fruits, and longevity noodles.

I hope you love them as much as I do!

Delicious Recipes for Chinese New Year

Ginger-Garlic Chicken Dumplings

Garlic Ginger Chicken Dumplings on a square, white plate.

Chinese Longevity Noodles

Chinese Longevity Noodles with Chicken and Gai Lan on a ceramic plate with bite being held up with chopsticks

Miso Broiled Black Cod

Broiled Black Cod (Sablefish) in black bowl with red pepper and bright green bok choy.

Spicy Crispy Fried Rice

Spicy Crispy Rice in a striped beige bowl.

Lychee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Lychee ice cream in a green bowl with mini chocolate chips and fresh lychee on top.

Enjoy!

Here's more about food symbolism during Chinese New Year celebrations.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ron

    January 27, 2019 at 6:38 am

    Having 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!

    Reply
  2. valentina

    January 27, 2019 at 11:01 am

    Well Ron, having spent that much time in China, I'm happy (and relieved!) you approve. ๐Ÿ™‚ The Longevity Noodles are my favorite! Happy year of the pig to you too. I bet you're cooking something delicious!

    Reply
  3. Andrea Metlika

    January 27, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    These dishes are all magnificent. Truly appreciate the inspiration of this.

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 12:30 am

      Thanks so much, Andrea!

      Reply
  4. Pam Greer

    January 27, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    Oh, I think I want to make them all! I love all your Asian inspired recipes!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 12:30 am

      Do! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Shanika

    January 27, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    These dishes look so good! Perfect for a celebration indeed!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 12:29 am

      Thanks Shanika! Hope you try some of them. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Adrianne

    January 27, 2019 at 5:14 pm

    Wow, 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.

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 12:28 am

      I feel the same way about noodles. ๐Ÿ˜€ Thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  7. Laura | Wandercooks

    January 27, 2019 at 6:25 pm

    Dumplings 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!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 12:27 am

      Those noodles are my favorite! I hope you try them. Thanks!

      Reply
  8. Christina Conte

    January 27, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    An excellent array of choices for the new year celebrations, Valentina! Those noodles are calling my name! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿป

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 12:27 am

      Thanks Christina. Making those dumplings was my 13-yr-old's idea! xo

      Reply
  9. David @ Spiced

    January 28, 2019 at 2:52 am

    We'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! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 8:51 am

      Thanks, David! I always love a holiday that involves a lot of delicious food. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  10. Dawn

    January 28, 2019 at 4:58 am

    Wow! 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!!

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 28, 2019 at 8:52 am

      Thanks, 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. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. Nancy

    January 28, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    This is why I should NEVER, EVER read your posts before lunch ๐Ÿ™‚ 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!!

    Reply
  12. John / Kitchen Riffs

    January 30, 2019 at 8:48 am

    Chinese 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. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • valentina

      January 30, 2019 at 4:25 pm

      I'm with you on the dumplings, John. Impossible to turn down. Thanks so much for stopping by. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  13. Kelly | Foodtasia

    January 31, 2019 at 10:00 am

    Everything looks so delicious! Those are definitely calling my name!

    Reply
    • Kelly | Foodtasia

      January 31, 2019 at 10:02 am

      *Those noodles!* - Got me so excited I forgot how to type!

      Reply
      • valentina

        January 31, 2019 at 4:00 pm

        Thanks so much, Kelly. I do love those noodles! Thanks for visiting. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
  14. angiesrecipes

    February 03, 2019 at 3:30 am

    wow I want to try the whole menu, esp. those dumplings...so good!

    Reply
    • valentina

      February 03, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      Thanks so much, Angie. I do love dumplings! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  15. valentina

    February 03, 2019 at 1:11 pm

    Thanks 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! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  16. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

    February 08, 2021 at 4:41 am

    It's not even lunch and I'm totally craving this right now, especially some dumplings (hubby and I have bee loving dumplings lately, especially with hot oil)! Seriously, though, if any of these were in front of me (and not just on my screen), I'd be quite happy. Such a yummy round up!

    Reply
  17. Kim Lange

    February 09, 2021 at 4:47 am

    Love all these ideas! My faves are those Dumplings and Longevity Noodles! I'm definitely wanting a buffet of all!

    Reply
    • valentina

      February 12, 2021 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you, Kim! Enjoy! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Valentina

      Reply
  18. Ron

    February 10, 2021 at 7:24 am

    Valentina, this still a great Chinese feast menu. As it'll just be Eva and I this year, we'll likey just steam up a fish and have some lucky noodles...

    Reply
    • valentina

      February 12, 2021 at 9:43 pm

      Lucky noodles it is! Thanks, Ron. Enjoy and hope you're feeling well! ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Valentina

      Reply
  19. John / Kitchen Riffs

    February 10, 2021 at 7:55 am

    This post is such a great resource! Lotta good dishes here. "Asian-inspired" definitely describes virtually all the "Chinese" food I make!

    Reply
    • valentina

      February 12, 2021 at 9:43 pm

      Thank you, John! Happy Lunar New Year and Happy Valentine's Day. ๐Ÿ™‚ ~Valentina

      Reply
  20. Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!

    February 11, 2021 at 6:57 am

    I'd love to have all of these, one after the other!

    Reply
    • valentina

      February 12, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      Thanks, Jeff. As it turns out, me too. Happy Lunar New Year and Happy Valentine's Day! ๐Ÿ˜‰ ~Valentina

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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