Young says, “It’s not a Chinese New Year party without food. Food is such a big part of the celebration!” Historically, the Chinese New Year celebration would last for 15 days, and certain foods would be eaten at certain days and times. For example, in the first five days of the new year, people ate long noodles (symbolizing long life). 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. Most Americans consider January 1 the start of the new year, but many Asians and Asian-Americans don’t. Instead, they follow Lunar New Year, also referred to as Chinese New Year in the U.S., which begins on January 29, 2025. (That’s the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, BTW.) Chinese New Year Party Ideas focus on bringing together friends and family to celebrate this vibrant holiday, with traditional customs, lively decorations, and delicious food that reflect the rich cultural significance of the occasion. Celebrations are deeply rooted in traditions, with customs designed to bring luck, happiness, and unity. You may think “Lunar New Year” and “Chinese New Year” refer to the same event. That’s not the case! The Lunar New Year celebration in South Korea or Vietnam looks different than a celebration of the Lunar New Year in China. The holidays take place on different dates, too. In 2025, China begins to celebrate its Lunar New Year on 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. Mark your calendar for February 10, 2024, because this year (the year of the Dragon, to be exact), you can celebrate the Chinese New Year with homemade classics to bring you good luck, like 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 Looking for recipes for a Chinese New Year party? These Chinese New Year party foods will make your gathering truly special whether you celebrate annually or want to join the fun. From savory dishes to sweet treats, this is your guide to an extraordinary celebration full of delicious flavors and vibrant traditions. Nian Gao. Many lucky Chinese New Year foods involve wordplay and puns. In the case of Nian Gao, the name alludes to things increasing/getting higher in the year, so think higher salary, higher income, higher height (for kids) and positive increases all around. You May Also Like The Top 10 Party Trends for 2025 40 Sweet Galentine’s Day Party Ideas for 2025 16 Game-Winning Super Bowl Food and Drink Ideas 23 Super Bowl Zoom Backgrounds for 2024 85 Songs for Your Galentine's Day Playlist 150 Romantic Songs For Your Valentine’s Day Playlist The culinary delights that accompany this festive season are more than just food; they are symbols of luck, prosperity, and togetherness. By exploring and trying out these 50+ Chinese New Year recipes, you not only embrace the rich cultural heritage of China but also create an opportunity to share meaningful moments with your loved ones. According to Chinese astrology, each year (starting from Chinese New Year) is associated with an animal sign, occurring in a 12-year cycle. 2015 is the year of the sheep and is the eighth animal in the Chinese zodiac, the sheep is very independent, gentle with a strong sense of justice and very kind, with great inner strength. To help, we’ve outlined a few essential Chinese New Year party ideas below: “Lunar New Year Card” by Pearl Liu is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. What Is Chinese Lunar New Year? Marking the start of the new year based on the traditional Chinese calendar, Chinese Lunar New Year also highlights the coming of a new season — hence the common The eve of Chinese New Year holds particular significance, as it’s a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new with open arms. This blog post aims to be your ultimate guide, offering creative party ideas and a handy checklist to ensure your New Year’s Eve celebration is as memorable and authentic as possible. Traditional Decorations In each menu, I also tried to include dishes that can be prepared in advance, so you will have time to entertain your guests during the dinner party. Here we go! Chinese New Year Menus The American Chinese Menu. This menu includes some of my most popular recipes that everyone loves. Some of the dishes are traditional and some have a modern twist. Chinese appetizers are even better when made at home than ordered from your favorite restaurant, and you'll have the added satisfaction of telling your guests you made them yourselves. From egg rolls to dumplings to lettuce wraps, Chinese-inspired starters are the perfect party food, even if your party isn't strictly Asian themed. You can celebrate the Chinese New Year, or simply set a themed tablescape and order takeout. This is a fun dinner party idea for adults and supper groups to host year ’round. Chinese New Year starts on February 10, and 2024 is the year of the Dragon. Chinese New Year is a rich celebration that happens yearly each winter to kick off the New Year in the Chinese astrological calendar. Each year is represented by an animal. 2025, for example, was the Year of the Snake, an animal that represents introspection, strategic planning and personal growth. invitation. Nothing says “get this party started” more than a fun 3-D invitation. Use takeout boxes and fortune cookies to set the tone and mood for this Asian-inspired affair.
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