10+ Fun and Easy Chinese New Year Recipes (2024)

Happy Lunar New Year! Welcome to our complete guide of easy Chinese New Year Recipes. Each fun to make at home with family and friends.

Are you trying to stay on target with your new year goals but want to enjoy the holiday festivities? Try our traditional Lunar New Year recipes ~ FULL ON FLAVOR but are made with a HEALTHY TWIST!

Whether you are looking for a Chinese New Year (CNY) snack, appetizer, lucky food, menu idea or dessert – we have something for you.

Great News! Many of our dim sum appetizers can bemade ahead of timeand frozen until ready to reheat.Planningand meal preparation reduces the stress of entertaining during the holidays.

A few years ago, we started out with our top 10 CNY recipes. Every year this list continues to expandto addmore of our tried-and-true traditionalChinese recipes.

Auspicious Foods for Chinese New Year

What’s a celebration without food? Chinese festival foods are not onlydelicious,but many are considered auspicious or symbolic, representing increased wealth, good luck,success,or prosperity in the new year.

For example,a word that soundssimilar to“good luck” isVegan Chinese Radish Cakealso known lobakgo (蘿蔔糕). Daikon radish cakes are often enjoyed during Chinese New Year to ensure good luck in the new year.

Round circular fruits, like tangerines,symbolize wholeness and unity. Commonly, taken to the temples as a prayer offering and eaten during the 15-day long festival.

Healthy Twist on Traditional Classics

You are in luck. These traditional recipes have beenlightenedup. We are air frying or steaming instead of deep frying. Some recipes are gluten-free, vegan and even some lowercarb options to choose from.To be complete, we’ve included somedim sum appetizers,mains,and desserts!

Dim Sum Appetizers

Have you ever made homemade dim sum treats? Essentially,Dim Sumare small Chinese appetizer plates. Dim sum plates are like tapas. Instead of serving your tapas with wine later in the day, serve dim sum with hot tea around brunchtime. Although usually prepared production-line style in Chinese restaurants, we have included the techniques so you can make these at home and healthier too.

Air Fryer Spring Rolls(Shrimp and Pork)

We bet you can’t stop at one! Try our shrimp and pork spring rolls air fried for an extra crispy treat. These Cantonese Style spring rolls are chock full of delicious veggies and aromatics but without all the grease and mess of deep frying.

(We have also included directions forBaked Spring Rollsto keep the recipe healthy and as an alternative to air frying.) Try them with our spicy dipping sauce orHomemade Sichuan Garlic Chili Oilfor a special treat.

Bonus! You can make and assemble the spring rolls in advance. We like to place our prepared spring rolls on a sheet pan in the freezer for a few hours. Then, we store them in a freezer safe container or baggie in the freezer for up to two months. When you are ready to eat, just air fry until golden brown and enjoy.

‘Spring’ rolls are commonly eaten during the spring festival because they look like little bars of gold, evoking wealth and prosperity for the new year. Given the time of year these are popularized, the name 'Spring roll” has stuck – helping to celebrate the arrival of the spring season.

Homemade Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi饺子)

My friends tell me that their teenage son can easily pack away at least 30 Chinese Dumplings (also known asJiǎozi饺子)in one sitting. So, you better make a double batch!

These homemade Chinese dumplings have succulent juicy pork on the inside and have thin dumpling skin on the outside. In our jiaozi recipe, we share with you our easy crimping method for sealing the dumplings at home. How many do you think you can you eat?

Did you know that you can prepare and stuff the pork dumplings and then freeze them before cooking? When you are ready to eat, try them either pan fried (like a pot sticker) or boiled. Boiled Dumplings are calledshuǐjiǎo(水饺)and are a healthier option instead of the fried version.

Why Eat Dumpling during Chinese New Year?

Chinese people eat dumplings during the Chinese New Year because their shape issimilar toancient silver and gold ingots (Yuanbao)and this symbolize wealth. The more dumplings - The more wealth. This year we are well on our way to becoming Billionaires at this rate of dumpling consumption!

Vegan Chinese Radish Cake (LoBakGo)

Now, you can make radish cake just like your favorite dim sum restaurant at home, but even BETTER. Radish cake is sometimes also called...

• turnip cake,
• LoBakGo
• white carrot cake
• many others.

Our steamed Vegan Chinese Radish Cake is tender on the inside and then pan fried for a crispy addictive crust. Packed with delicious shiitake mushrooms, daikon radish, greenonions,and aromatics.You will never miss the meat. However, we also havea meat basedDaikon BACON Radish Cakefor the carnivores out there!

Planning ahead? LoBakGo can also be steamed, cooled, cut intoslices,and then stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you are ready to eat, just pan sear on both sides for a delicious treat.

Symbolism of Radish Cake

Chinese people eat radish cake during the Lunar New Year celebration because the word for radish closely resembles the word for “good luck”. However, we enjoy LoBakGo all the time because it is one of our favorite dim sum dishes.

Easy Chinese New Year Main Dishes

These are our families’ favorite Chinese New Year main dishes. Everything is served family style for sharing. Of course, we always make a littleHong Kong Fried Riceand quick and easyStir-Fried Romaine Lettuceon the side.

Spicy Sichuan Hot Pot (Mild Broth Recipe Included)

If you are looking for healthy comfort food, there is nothing better than enjoying a huge hot pot (also calledHuǒGuō,火锅) with family and friends.HuǒGuōliterally translates to fire pot.It really hits the spot when it is cold outside.

We have both a homemade spicy Sichuan and flavorful mild broth for you to enjoy. In China,hot-potliterally translates to Fire Pot.  While the broth simmers away, your guest can cook their own ingredients. Some example ingredients are..

• fresh leafy vegetables like bok choy, choi sum, Napa cabbage
• root vegetables like daikon radish, pumpkin, sweet potato
• dumplings
• noodles
• beef, chicken
• fish, shrimp, fish balls
• mushrooms
• tofu
• and the list goes on...

However, there isone common theme of all hot pots.This Chinese New Year Recipe isa beautiful way for families and friends to sit around a steaming pot of yummy pot of goodness. It’s a special time tocook chat and enjoy their time together.Hot potis a low carb and diabetic friendly meal.

Stir Fried Crab with Chinese New Year Cakes

Flower crab (HuaXieChao) and sticky glutinous rice Chinese New Year Cakes (NianGao) are stir fried for one of our families favorite Chinese Festival foods.

You can make this dish gluten free if you just exchange the regular and dark sauce with Tamari sauce.

NianGao (Chinese rice cakes) are eaten during the Chinese New Year because “Nian” means year and “Gao” translates as higher. It symbolizes higher wealth and prosperity in the new year. In addition, crab turns a bright red when cooked. Red is noted as a lucky color to bring you good luck in the New Year.

Shanghai Wonton Soup

One of our favorite recipes of the 10+ Fun and Easy Chinese New Year Recipes is our Lucky Shanghai WontonSoup.It is pure comfort food!

This recipe was taught to us by one of our dear Shanghai friends. It’s her grandmother’s recipe. The soup broth is very light,nourishing,and flavorful. Recipes passed down through the generations are always the best.

When you are on a roll making wontons, make extra as they freeze well. Then, when you have friends and family over, you can make a quick and easy Wonton Soup.

Wontons, calledHúntún(馄饨) in Chinese, are very much like dumpling because their shape is like a golden Ingots (old Chinese money shapes). They are considered lucky so addplenty of themto the soup broth.

Asian Steamed Fish

One of the most common Lunar New Year Recipes is fish. Our Asian Steamed Fish can be served whole or as fillets.It’s ready inonly20 minutes. Topped with a garlic and cilantro sauce for a delicious melt in your mouth bite. This fish recipe is light, low carb, gluten-free and super easy to make.

Fish (鱼Yú)sounds very similar to “surplus” in Chinese. Itis often served steamed for Chinese New Year in hopes for a prosperous year.

Beef and Spicy XO Noodles

You are going to love this quick and easy beef and longevity noodle recipe. Try it tossed with spicy XO sauce, crispvegetables,and green onions.

Have you ever heard of the Chinese condiment calledXO sauce? XO sauce is made with dried scallops, shrimps, chili peppers and delicious aromatics. It elevates any recipe up to the next level. “XO” stands for extra old cognac. However, there is not any cognac or alcohol in the sauce. Cognac is thought to be very expensive item and represents prosperity. XO sauce is often used in recipes during theLunarNewYear and often given as gift.

Long Noodles represent a long life. Sometimes, noodles are referred to as longevity noodles. Make sure you keep the noodles long and do not cut them before serving to assure long life and happiness.

XO sauce is a very prestigious condiment that is used in the Canton region. It symbolizes wealth and prosperityin the New Year.

Spicy Beef and Longevity Noodles

If you need good luck in the new year, be sure to enjoy EXTRA long longevity noodle recipe for an extra-long and healthy life. Spicy Beef and Longevity Noodles has a different sauce compared to our Beef and Spicy XO Noodlesrecipe. If you enjoy more delicious fresh crunchy stir-fried vegetables and lotus root,this is a recipe for you.

The Chinese word for lotus root (Lián'ǒu,莲藕) soundssimilar tothe term for “having every year”. Eating lotus root during the Lunar Year festival is symbolic of never going without.

Wood Ear Mushroom Vegan Stir Fry

Are you entertaining vegans or vegetarian family and friendsduringthe Lunar New Year Holiday? If so, try our wood ear mushroom and tofu stir fry. It is simple to make and full of flavor and texture from theWood Ear Mushrooms.

Spring Festival Desserts

Teatime treats or a sweet ending to a meal is always a huge crowd pleaser. Chinese New Year dessert recipes are extra special because a few of them are only made during the spring festival.

Sweet Sticky Rice Chinese New Year Cake(NianGao)

Sweet Sticky Rice Chinese New Year cakes are also known as"Niángāo,年糕”.We can't wait for you to try this deliciousChinese dessert recipe. Nian gao is made with glutinous rice flour. This cake is first steamed and then pan fried in egg. Delicately sweet, chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside- simply delicious!

Revolutionary Find! You can make,steam,and cut yourniangaointo sections and then freeze. When your guests arrive, take out a slice of cake to thaw, dip in egg andpan fry. Serve with a delicious tea and enjoy.NianGao is naturally gluten free and vegan.

Chinese rice cakes are eaten during the Chinese New Year because it symbolizes higher wealth and prosperity in the new year.

Hong Kong Style Egg Tarts (Dan Tat)

Our Hong Kong style egg custard tarts are baked in a flaky delicious Portuguese style puff pastry crust.These Chinese dessertEgg tarts areasweetending to a dim sum meal or with tea (yumcha).

Hong Kong Style egg tart filling is less sweet than a Portuguese style fillingandless greasy. Unfortunately, these little dim sum desserts do not freeze well. Egg tarts are best fresh out of the oven and to be shared with family and friends.

Chinese Pear Dessert Soup

“Tong Sui(同岁)”which literally translates as “sugar water” in Chinese are sweet dessert soups.Have you tried our Chinese Pear Dessert Soup orHot Black Sesame Cerealdessert soup? Theyarecommonly served as a sweet ending to a Chinese meal.

Our Chinese Pear Dessert Soup is not only delicious but helps soothe a sore throat and cough during the change of seasons.

Braised Orange Anise Lotus Root

Are you ready to try a new Chinese New Year Recipe? We invented our Braised Orange Anise Lotus Root using very symbolic ingredients that are available during the Lunar New Year celebration.

ThisuniqueChinese dessert recipe has just a handful of ingredients.

• lucky lotus roots
• good fortune oranges
• star anise
• Lemon juice
• Honey

Unlike many desserts, this one is only delicately sweet and is naturally gluten-free. If you would like to make this dessert vegan, substitute honey with either maple syrup or sugar.

Many Asian food stores will havepreservedpre-slicedlotus roots in the refrigerated section. Looking for a savory version, try ourGarlic Chili Stir Fried Lotus Root.

Asian Spiced Pears

If youare lookingfor a diabetic friendly dessert for Chinese New Year, then you are going to love these Asian Spiced Pears.  Baked Pears are warmandcozy. They aredelicately sweetenedand are spiced withstar anise,cinnamon,and vanilla.

Lunar New Year Snacks

Have you ever seen theChinesered dishes that have separate compartments with a decorative lid? These are for snacks and treats. Some popular Lunar New Year Snacks are...

• Red dates or jujubes – They are dried dates and have a seed inside. They can be eaten dried as a snack or in ourGoji Berry and Red Dates Tea,Not only is red a lucky color but the word dates (枣zǎo) has the same pronunciation as the Chinese word for “early”. Eating jujubes may giveyou a good head start to the yearwhile alsonourishing your spleen.
• Sesame seed ballsmade fromglutinous rice and filled with sweet red bean paste and deep fried. Our easier and fun take on the sesame ball is ourSesame Spiral Pie Cookies.
• Peanuts are sometimes called longevity nuts. They represent living a long life. We enjoy eating them in the shell.
• Lotus seeds are prepared in crystallized sugar around the Chinese New Year. However, we like to soak and prepare them and enjoy them in ourLucky Shrimp with Lotus Seedstir fry.
• Dried Sunflower seeds represent good luck for more grandchildren and sons.

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

We hope you enjoyed these 10+ Fun and Easy Chinese New Year recipes! Wishing your family, a very safe,healthy,and prosperous Chinese New Year from our family to yours!

FOLLOW US for more delicious recipes on YOU TUBE, Pinterest,Instagram, Twitter andFacebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.

KungHeiFat Choi!

XinNianKuai le!

新年快乐!