In Chinese, "fish" (鱼 Yú /yoo/) sounds like 'surplus'. Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish on the Chinese New Year dinner menu. Chinese people always like to have a surplus at the end of the year, because they think if they have managed to save something at the end of the year, then they can make more in the next year. Nian gao also represents prosperity and wealth as its pronunciation is a homophone for nian (lit. year high). It’s often eaten in the afternoon as a snack or dessert, especially in Shanghai and southern China. Adding red decorations to this traditional Chinese New Year dish further enhances its auspicious meaning. 4. Fish Our Chinese New Year Menu for experienced cooks is a high-bar test of endurance, knife skills, precision, timing, and sheer dedication. Some of our best, tastiest, and most beloved Chinese New Year dishes are included here, so this menu is high risk, high reward. You pull this off and Chinese New Year’s dinner at your house will become legend. Chinese New Year Side Dishes. Even some vegetable dishes are iconic Chinese New Year foods. Buddha’s Delight, consisting of at least 8 ingredients, is often eaten the morning of Chinese New Year after a ceremonial offering of food to honor family ancestors. The Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is the most important festival in China: it lasts up to two weeks and is the only time of the year when China shuts down. Unlike Western countries, the Chinese New Year generally falls between January 21st and February 20th in the Gregorian calendar, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Also called Spring Festival in most of mainland China, Lunar New Year begins on the night of the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, which is a bit shorter than the 365-day solar year. The 16-day festival season is celebrated with lots of traditional Chinese New Year foods that are prepared, served and eaten in symbolic ways. 【大寒】八寶飯|Babao Rice|Chinese New Year Dessert. From this point of view, the Babao rice is like a cornucopia, implying that money can roll in the new year. Chicken (鸡 / 雞) The Chinese word “吉 (ji)” means lucky and chicken is homonymous with “Ji”, In Guangdong, there is a saying that “there is no feast without Related: 100 Chinese New Year Wishes to Honor the Lunar New Year In addition to a traditional Chinese rice pudding recipe below, you'll also find recipes for dim sum and more classics like Dan Dan Below, you’ll find a list of Chinese New Year foods that are sure to guarantee prosperity, wealth and food comas. First: The Complexity of Finding “Authentic” Chinese New Year Dishes. When putting together this list of traditional Chinese New Year food, I (as most children of immigrants do) turned to my parents for their eternal wisdom. Chinese New Year Snacks. Traditional snacks for Chinese New Year celebrations include: Chinese nut cookies, such as peanut cookies or Cantonese walnut cookies. (If deep frying your own nuts, the peanut cookies will take you over half a day to roast and skin- I made 1500 peanut cookies last year and have baked another 40 bottles in the last 2 weeks to come up with The Ultimate Chinese Peanut Among China’s traditional holidays and celebrations, none ranks higher in importance than the Lunar New Year (農曆新年). Also known as the Spring Festival (春節), or simply Chinese New Chinese artists leap from pedestals as they perform a traditional lion dance marking the Lunar New Year of the Snake in the Chinatown area of Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) Sticky rice balls—or tang yuan—are a traditional Chinese new year food that can be made savory or sweet. Go the savory route with ground pork or Chinese greens, or make sweet rice balls by Start making Chinese New Year cookies about 2-3 weeks before the celebration. This allows time for preparation and ensures the cookies stay fresh. How long do homemade Chinese New Year cookies last? Most homemade Chinese New Year cookies can last for 2-4 weeks when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Can I make Chinese New Chinese New Year superstitions are traditional beliefs and practices observed during the Lunar New Year to bring good luck and ward off misfortune. These customs range from avoiding certain actions to performing specific rituals, all aimed at ensuring a prosperous year ahead. 20 Chinese New Year Superstitions 1. Avoid Cleaning on New Year’s Day On Jan. 29, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Snake with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities. 50+ Traditional Chinese New Year Recipes for a Festive Feast Chinese New Year is a time to cherish family bonds, honor traditions, and look forward to the future with hope and joy. The culinary delights that accompany this festive season are more than just food; they are symbols of luck, prosperity, and togetherness. Nian gao, also known as “rice cake” or “New Year cake” in English, are a must for Chinese New Year. In ancient times, nian gao were used only as offerings to the ancestors and gods. Gradually, they became a traditional dish during the Spring Festival. Now they are available every day of the year, but are still a special treat for the Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a time of celebration and gift-giving. Traditional gifts hold deep cultural significance and are often exchanged to bring good fortune, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year. Find 36 of our BEST Lunar New Year Recipes for this year's family banquet! I'll also show you how to turn your favorite dishes into a celebration menu. Enjoy a traditional New Year's dinner, a lineup that even your parents would be impressed with or a wonderful vegetarian feast - all with authentic Chinese and Vietnamese flavors!
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |