Ready to celebrate? These incredible Chinese New Year recipes feature fragrant spices and tasty sauces!
In this list of 24 of the best recipes, there’s a lot to love.
Let’s dive into these great options!
1. Chinese Almond Cookies
It’s hard to beat a Chinese cookie that’s buttery, nutty, and totally addicting. These are also ready in just 15 minutes, so you can make them quickly.
Almond flour gives them a taste that is richer and healthier than average, yet even more delicious.
2. Scallion Pancakes
You should know that Chinese pancakes are not like those in North America. Instead, they are thin and crispy, like a flatbread.
They’re also surprisingly simple to make from the ground up. To reach crispy, golden-brown excellence, just mix the dough, knead it, and pan-fry.
3. Chinese Noodle Soup
Since the Chinese New Year is in January or February, it’s also cold and flu season. If you’re under the weather this winter, fight off those bugs with this delicious and nourishing soup.
With only broth, noodles, veggies, and the meat of your choice, it’s also quite simple. Throw it all together with plenty of ginger and garlic to help boost the immune system.
4. Cashew Chicken
Whether it’s for a mid-week dinner or a New Year’s feast, this stir-fry will work equally well as a quick and simple meal.
The nutty bite of roasted cashews gives a wonderful crunch to the juicy chicken that has been simmered in a garlic sauce.
5. Fortune Cookies
No Chinese celebration is complete without these! Not only will you get some tasty cookies, but this recipe makes a fun and crafty project that will tempt your kids to get into the kitchen.
Though writing fortunes is a close second, the best part is, of course, eating the cookies.
6. Veggie Spring Rolls
These vegetarian spring rolls make the ultimate Chinese appetizer, no matter if you are plant-based or a carnivore.
Save time in the kitchen by prepping the day before, then quickly fry when your guests arrive.
7. Long Life Noodles
In China, long life noodles symbolize good luck. One bowl of these tasty noodles is said to help you live a long life, so they are often served on festive occasions.
Enjoy, eat up, and make sure you save this recipe for your 100th birthday!
8. Lo Mein
Here is a brain teaser: What’s ready in 15 minutes, is incredibly tasty, and can be whipped up using whatever veggies you have on hand?
If you said this lo mein, congrats; move to the head of the class.
9. Sichuan Boiled Fish
If you like fish that is packed with flavor, this is the recipe for you, thanks to the unique combo of fiery and piquant flavors found in Sichuan cuisine.
With a spicy, peppery marinade, the fresh fish fillets are steamed until they are fragrant and flaky.
10. Wontons
This recipe is for you if you enjoy wontons but avoid the greasiness of the fried ones. Until they are golden brown, the veggie pastry bundles are baked.
While just as delicious as the traditional ones, these are much healthier. No one will know the difference when served with a sweet and sour dip, and this recipe makes plenty.
11. Nian Gao (Chinese New Year Sticky Rice Cake)
You’ll want to have this sweet, sticky cake when hosting a New Year’s celebration. This cake symbolizes advancement, progress, and growth, which is a tasty and traditional way to start the year off right!
Although the classic recipe, which uses rice flours, water, and sugar, is quite simple, this one spices it up a bit with ginger and orange zest.
12. Fa Gao (Fortune Cake)
Because you can’t have good fortune without good food, fortune cake is a delicious, steamed treat, just like a cupcake. Since the top typically splits and cracks like most muffins, it’s also known as ‘smiling cake.’
If this is your type of recipe, get ready for your baked goods to grin at you as you eat them.
13. Chow Mein
With this homemade chow mein, you can have dinner on the table in only 30 minutes. This is the one to keep on hand if you are a lover of Chinese noodles.
As if that weren’t enough, this bowl of irresistibly healthy goodness includes crispy noodles, bok choy, bean sprouts, and mushrooms.
14. Sesame Noodles
You can make these peanut sauce-tossed sesame noodles hot or cold for a tasty supper side. Or, after the flavors have rested and mingled, you can prepare a batch ahead of time and enjoy it as a chilled salad.
15. Lion’s Head Pork Meatballs
From one region to another, you’ll find slight variations of this classic dish. Delicate and moist, the light meatballs in this recipe are sure to be a success at your New Year’s feast.
Water chestnuts, fragrant flavorings, and breadcrumbs get mixed with pork that is steamed to perfection. You’re going to want to make extra of these!
16. Szechuan Noodles
Completely addictive, these better-than-takeout noodles feature thick, soft noodles that have been drizzled with sesame chili oil and tossed in a spicy Szechuan sauce.
Fast, flavorful, and healthy, this dish is oh-so-good.
17. Steamed Buns
Something wonderful happens when you steam buns – they get moist and fluffy. They are also perfect for soaking up dips and sauces.
If you’re planning a dinner to celebrate the Chinese New Year, be sure to have a side of these buns.
18. Lettuce Wraps
In just 20 minutes, this version of PF Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps is even better than the real thing!
Serve spiced chicken that is perfectly seasoned and cradled in crispy lettuce. It’s an amazing light meal or a tasty lunch.
19. Sweet and Sour Pork
Sweet and sour pork is such a popular choice on Chinese menus for a reason. With this do-it-yourself recipe, you can now make this mouthwatering combination of sweet and sour right at home!
I dare you to stop at just one bowl of this mix of fresh pineapple, sweet bell pepper, and juicy pork pieces.
20. Moo Shu Vegetables
You may have had moo shu pork, but have you ever tried the vegetarian variety? Instead of meat, this recipe takes the traditional sweet and salty hoisin sauce and drizzles it over stir-fried veggies.
To make it Chinese-style breakfast for dinner, serve with scrambled eggs and mandarin pancakes.
21. Peanut Noodles
These peanut noodles are perfect if you want to serve supper in a hurry and want something dinner-party-worthy on the table in minutes.
The creamy peanut butter gives the rich peanut sauce a wonderful flavor. Thanks to a dash of lime juice and dark soy sauce, it also has some zing.
22. Eight Treasure Rice Pudding
You will need dessert if you are throwing yourself into the season and making a full Chinese feast. Decadent, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free, this sweet pudding is something that I highly recommend.
With a delicious chrysanthemum syrup, sticky rice is topped with dried fruit and stuffed with sweet bean paste to really wow your guests.
23. Sesame Seed Balls
Sesame seed balls are also known as Jian Diu and are another traditional Chinese dessert. These are like homemade candy with a soft, sweet center and a crispy outside.
They are prepared using sugar, red bean paste, and rice flour. To experience the rich, nutty, toasted flavor fully, serve these warm after being deep fried until golden.
24. Dan Dan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles are for you if you enjoy spice.
They are tossed in an intense chili sauce and will definitely pack a punch. It may not burn your mouth, but this side is truly something special.