Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (2024)

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (1)

The bold flavours, the variety of dishes and the fragrant smells: there's SO much to Chinese food. From Crispy Pork Dumplings to and Szechuan Beef, nothing compares! And with Lunar New Year just around the corner, we can't stop thinking about the type of recipes we'd like to make at home.

Let's start with snacks: there's the iconic Spring Rolls, and the trendy Spring Onion Pancakes that went viral on TikTok last year. If you prefer something on the healthy side, there's Steamed Chicken with Ginger Orange Dressing, or total classics like Wonton Soup.

If you're looking for vegetarian Chinese recipes, your go-to ingredient is cauliflower, and we've got recipes for Honey Garlic Cauliflower and Bang Bang Cauliflower to inspire you.

There's such a huge variety of flavour combos in Chinese food, so you're sure to find something you love and will end up cooking again and again. If you're cooking a spread, perhaps giving a rice or noodle dish a try as a side would go down a treat, like these classic Singapore Noodles, or the ultimate Perfect Fried Rice made with plenty of fresh ginger and sesame oil.

Whether you're after something classic like Chicken Chow Mein, or something a little more inventive like Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts, we've got 28 Chinese-inspired recipes you've got to give a go. But we must warn you, some of the flavours rustled up in these recipes are insanely addictive...

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1

Chicken Spring Rolls

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (3)

Together with crunchy vegetables, this is a more-ish indulgent starter suitable for sharing and making for larger crowds as the rolls can be made ahead and frozen and then fried from frozen.

Get the Chicken Spring Rolls recipe.

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2

Crispy Pork Dumplings

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (5)

These dumplings have a great bite from the cabbage and potato and a delightful crispy bottom!

Get the Crispy Pork Dumplings recipe.

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3

Steamed Chicken with Ginger Orange Dressing

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (7)

Healthy and modern, Chinese food has never tasted so good! And the marinated chicken is *chef's kiss.*

Get the Steamed Chicken with Ginger Orange Dressing recipe.

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4

Chicken Fried Rice

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (9)

Chicken fried rice is the comfort dish of Chinese food. This classic take on the favourite is easy to make and makes the perfect lunch or dinner.

Get the Chicken Fried Rice recipe.

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5

Spring Onion Pancakes

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (11)

Spring onion pancakes might be one of our favourite appetisers ever. Crispy, flaky, and with the *slightest* bit of chew, it's easy to polish off a whole plate of them in minutes.

Get the Spring Onion Pancakes recipe.

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6

Szechuan Beef

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (13)

Szechuan beef is meant to be spicy and this is no exception. If you want less heat feel free to reduce the amount of chilli garlic sauce.

Get the Szechuan Beef recipe.

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7

Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (15)

This Chinese-inspired chicken and sweetcorn soup can be on the table in less than 20 minutes.

Get the Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup recipe.

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8

Honey Walnut Prawns

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (17)

This dish is seriously delicious, plus it's a cinch to make at home.

Get the Honey Walnut Prawns recipe.

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9

Hunan Chicken

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (19)

We love spicy chicken and Hunan is no exception. If you want yours less spicy, lessen the amount of chillies and sambal oelek.

Get the Hunan Chicken recipe.

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10

Honey Garlic Cauliflower

Who doesn't love a good healthy snack? These little guys have just enough crunch and flavour to keep us going.

Get the Honey Garlic Cauliflower recipe.

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11

Vegetable Spring Rolls

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (23)

Spring rolls are a must for any Chinese-inspired feast. These veggie crispy spring rolls are packed with crunchy colourful veg, ready in just under an hour. Great snack food to please the masses!

Get the Vegetable Spring Rolls recipe.

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12

Chicken Chow Mein

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (25)

Chow mein is our go-to for all types of meals, from an easy dinner to a serious hangover. We love the kick this recipe gets from fresh ginger, but if you're not a fan, skip it.

Get the Chicken Chow Mein recipe.

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13

Bang Bang Cauliflower

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (27)

When we're looking for a spicy, flavourful side to brighten up our dinner, we turn to Bang Bang Cauliflower. Not only is it quick and easy, but the dish is super adaptable.

Get the Bang Bang Cauliflower recipe.

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14

Wonton Soup

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (29)

If you'd like to add some veggies to this soup, try dropping some quartered pak choi into the boiling broth a couple of minutes before serving.

Get the Wonton Soup recipe.

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15

Beef & Broccoli Noodles

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (31)

With soy sauce-infused steak and broccoli, these noodles are so much better than a takeaway.

Get the recipe.

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16

Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (33)

Crispy chicken underneath a sticky and sweet honey sauce? Served with rice, you'll never need a takeaway again!

Get the Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken recipe.

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17

Chinese Chicken Salad

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (35)

This Chinese chicken salad is fresh and full of crunchy ramen, sweet mandarins, and crisp cabbage. It's our favourite salad to bring along to any summer bbq and what we make when we need an easy lunch.

Get the Chinese Chicken Salad recipe.

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18

Pork Fried Rice

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (37)

Kiss greasy takeaway fried rice goodbye.

Get the Pork Fried Rice recipe.

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19

Szechuan Chicken

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (39)

Szechuan chicken should be pretty spicy, but we made ours EXTRA HOT. If you're sensitive to heat, feel free to cut back on the chilies themselves.

Get the Szechuan Chicken recipe.

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20

Honey Garlic Chicken

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (41)

This easy weeknight dinner takes practically zero effort.

Get the Honey Garlic Chicken recipe.

Our Favourite Chinese-Inspired Recipes To Make This Lunar New Year! (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular food for Chinese New Year? ›

Dumplings

These savory treats, which can be pan-fried or boiled, are a popular Lunar New year food representing financial fortune for the year ahead. Dumplings can be made to suit any taste and are often filled with pork, chicken, shrimp or vegetables. This classic lucky Chinese New Year food is a hit on any table.

What is traditional Chinese New Year menu? ›

Traditional Lunar New Year foods include longevity noodles, a whole steamed fish for abundance, sticky rice balls for togetherness, and more. Below you'll find some of those lucky foods, along with other traditional dishes like dumplings and rice cakes.

What are 6 lucky foods for Chinese New Year? ›

Ingredients like citrus, such as oranges (which symbolize good fortune), roasting whole chickens or fish (which symbolize wholeness and abundance), serving long noodles like Dan Dan noodles (which symbolize longevity), and spring rolls (which symbolize wealth) are all classic good luck foods to serve.

What is not allowed on the first day of the Chinese New Year? ›

On the first day of the lunar year:

No washing clothes or hair or bathing. The first and second day of the lunar year is the birthday of the “Water God”, so you are not supposed to use water to show respect for the Water God. No sweeping the floor or taking out rubbish. If you do so, you are carrying your fortune out.

Can you eat meat on Chinese New Year? ›

Many folks choose not to eat meat on New Year's Day as it is considered taboo to kill animals on the first day of the year. Congee should also be avoided as it was deemed as a common meal for those less fortunate in ancient times. Lastly, avoid taking any medicine on New Year's Day as it is also thought to be bad luck.

What foods to avoid on Lunar New Year's day? ›

In Chinese tradition, white is an unlucky color because it symbolizes death, so all white foods are out for the celebration. Tofu, eggs, rice, cauliflower, white cheeses—say goodbye to them for the night. Instead, fill your New Year's table with other colorful foods.

What are 3 types of food that are eaten for Lunar New Year? ›

Here's a look at some of the key foods central to Lunar New Year feasts.
  • Noodles: To Live Long and Prosper. ...
  • Citrus Fruits: For Luck and Prosperity. ...
  • Sweet Rice Balls for Unity. ...
  • Golden Spring Rolls for Prosperity. ...
  • Fish: For Abundance. ...
  • Bánh Chưng: Connection Between Heaven and Earth. ...
  • Dumplings: Pockets of Prosperity.
Feb 9, 2024

What are the 7 Lucky new year's food traditions around? ›

7 Lucky New Year's Traditions
  • Grapes // Spain. Better hope all those grapes taste sweet! ...
  • Black-Eyed Peas // Southern United States. ...
  • Soba Noodles // Japan. ...
  • Pomegranate // Eastern Europe. ...
  • Lentils // Europe & South America. ...
  • Marzipan Pigs // Germany & Scandinavia. ...
  • Pickled Herring // Poland, Scandinavia.

Can you eat chicken on Chinese New Year? ›

A whole chicken

One of the most common offerings to grace the New Year table is a chicken—the Chinese word for chicken, ji, is a homonym for good luck. There is no one traditional way to prepare the Lunar New Year bird; it can be steamed, poached, braised, roasted, or smoked.

Can you eat eggs on Chinese New Year? ›

Tofu, eggs, some kinds of cheese, you name it. In many Chinese communities, white is often associated with mourning, the opposite of what we want for the start of the a new year. While red envelopes and decorations are all about good fortune and prosperity, eating white foods are seen as inviting death into the home.

What do you drink on Lunar New Year? ›

Families have their own unique alcoholic beverage that they drink every year during the festival. The most common alcohol is Chinese white wine, or baijiu. Although similar to other East Asian drinks, baijiu is much stronger and more similar to vodka and is drank using shot glasses.

What do oranges mean for Chinese New Year? ›

Mandarin oranges have always been considered as a traditional symbol of good fortune. This is mainly because the word orange, when spoken in mandarin, sounds similar to the word “wealth”.

Can you eat fish on Chinese New Year? ›

They bring gifts and food to prepare the dinner. One of the most common traditions is to eat a whole fish as part of the dinner. This is because the pronunciation of the Chinese word for fish also means 'being abundant', so it symbolises wellbeing and prosperity.

How many oranges do you give for Chinese New Year? ›

Tip: Always offer two mandarin oranges with both hands. This is the most basic form of respect in Chinese culture. Your recipient may politely refuse at first, but don't give up — keep trying and they'll eventually give in and exchange a pair with you!

What two days in the Chinese New Year hold the most important meals? ›

The most important meal of the year in China is the Spring Festival Dinner, held on Lunar New Year's Eve, and dishes associated with good luck, such as dumplings, rice cakes, fish, dates, and Mandarin oranges, are served.

What is the lucky food for new year's Eve? ›

Foods like pork, greens, citrus and pomegranate are seasonal during the new year in the northern hemisphere, influencing the bounty of the holiday table. These traditional New Year's Eve and New Year's Day foods are believed to bring health, wealth and happiness in the coming year.

Why is Chinese food popular on New Years? ›

The tradition of having Chinese food for New Year's in America is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. The story goes that Jewish immigrants in New York City began the practice because Chinese restaurants were among the few establishments that remained open on Christmas and New Year's Day.

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