Get ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year in style with an array of delightful and mouth-watering Chinese dishes. From savory dumplings to crispy Peking duck, this article will guide you through the ultimate feast to ring in the Year of the Ox. Bring out the red lanterns, gather your loved ones, and prepare to indulge in the best Chinese dishes that will surely make this Lunar New Year celebration a memorable one.
Hot Pot
Hot pot is a traditional Chinese dish that is both delicious and interactive. It is a hot pot of simmering broth, where you can cook various ingredients at the table. There are different types of hot pot, but the most popular ones are traditional hot pot, spicy Sichuan hot pot, and seafood hot pot.
Traditional Hot Pot
The traditional hot pot is a staple for Lunar New Year celebrations. It consists of a flavorful broth made from simmering bones, herbs, and spices. You can customize the broth by adding your favorite ingredients such as mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, and tofu. To enjoy the hot pot, simply dip your choice of thinly sliced meat, seafood, or vegetables into the hot broth and let it cook until it’s done. The communal aspect of sharing a hot pot with friends and family makes it a perfect dish for celebration.
Spicy Sichuan Hot Pot
For those who love bold flavors and a spicy kick, the spicy Sichuan hot pot is a must-try. Sichuan cuisine is known for its bold and fiery flavors, and the hot pot is no exception. The broth is made with a mixture of Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and other aromatic spices, resulting in a numbing and spicy broth that will leave your taste buds tingling. You can add a variety of ingredients such as beef, lamb, or seafood, but be prepared for the heat!
Seafood Hot Pot
If you’re a fan of seafood, the seafood hot pot is the perfect choice for your Lunar New Year celebration. This type of hot pot features a flavorful seafood broth made with a combination of fish, shrimp, crab, and other shellfish. The broth is light and delicately flavored, allowing the fresh seafood to shine. You can add a variety of seafood such as fish fillets, shrimp, scallops, and clams. The rich and briny flavors of the seafood make this hot pot a delectable choice for any seafood lover.
Dumplings
Dumplings are another essential dish for Lunar New Year celebrations. They symbolize wealth and prosperity and are enjoyed by families all over China. There are different types of dumplings, but the most popular ones are steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, and soup dumplings.
Steamed Dumplings
Steamed dumplings, also known as jiaozi, are a classic Chinese dish and a favorite during Lunar New Year celebrations. These dumplings are made by wrapping a thin dough around a filling of meat or vegetables. The dumplings are then steamed until the dough is translucent and the filling is cooked to perfection. They are usually served with a sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil, which adds a tangy and savory flavor to the dumplings.
Pan-Fried Dumplings
Pan-fried dumplings, also known as potstickers, are another popular type of dumpling. These dumplings are made in a similar way to steamed dumplings, but instead of steaming, they are pan-fried until the bottom becomes crispy and golden brown. The dumplings are then steamed with a small amount of water, creating a delicious contrast between the crispy bottom and the steamed top. The dipping sauce for pan-fried dumplings is usually a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil, which enhances the savory flavors of the dumplings.
Soup Dumplings
Soup dumplings, also known as xiaolongbao, are a unique type of dumpling that is filled with flavorful broth. The dumplings are made by wrapping a thin dough around a filling of meat or vegetables, along with a gelatinized broth. When the dumplings are steamed, the gelatinized broth melts, creating a burst of delicious soup inside the dumpling. To eat a soup dumpling, carefully pick it up with chopsticks and place it on a spoon. Take a small bite from the edge, carefully sipping the soup inside, and enjoy the combination of flavors and textures.
Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a popular appetizer in Chinese cuisine and are often enjoyed during Lunar New Year celebrations. They symbolize wealth and prosperity, as their shape resembles gold bars. There are different types of spring rolls, but the most popular ones are traditional spring rolls, vegetable spring rolls, and seafood spring rolls.
Traditional Spring Rolls
Traditional spring rolls are made with a crispy and flaky wrapper that is filled with a mixture of ground pork, shredded vegetables, and various seasonings. The spring rolls are then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. The combination of the crispy exterior and the flavorful filling makes this appetizer a crowd-pleaser. Traditionally, spring rolls are served with a sweet and sour sauce or a dipping sauce made from soy sauce and vinegar.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
For those who prefer a lighter option, vegetable spring rolls are a great choice. These spring rolls are filled with a mixture of julienned vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, and bean sprouts. The vegetables are stir-fried until crisp-tender and then wrapped in a spring roll wrapper. The spring rolls are then fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce of your choice. These vegetable spring rolls are not only delicious but also a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your Lunar New Year celebration.
Seafood Spring Rolls
Seafood spring rolls are a delicious option for seafood lovers. These spring rolls are filled with a mixture of seafood such as shrimp, crab, and fish, along with vegetables and seasonings. The spring rolls are then deep-fried until crispy and served with a dipping sauce of your choice. The combination of the flavorful seafood and the crispy wrapper makes these spring rolls a delightful addition to your Lunar New Year celebration.
Longevity Noodles
Longevity noodles are a traditional Chinese dish that symbolizes long life and good fortune. These noodles are longer than regular noodles and are often served during Lunar New Year celebrations. There are different ways to prepare longevity noodles, but the most popular ones are stir-fried longevity noodles, braised longevity noodles, and crispy fried longevity noodles.
Stir-Fried Longevity Noodles
Stir-fried longevity noodles are a simple yet delicious dish that is often enjoyed during Lunar New Year celebrations. The noodles are stir-fried with a variety of vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and Chinese cabbage, along with your choice of meat or seafood. The combination of the tender noodles and the flavorful stir-fried ingredients makes this dish a favorite among many. To add more flavor, you can also toss in some soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
Braised Longevity Noodles
Braised longevity noodles are a heartier version of the dish. The noodles are braised in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and various aromatic spices. The dish is then garnished with vegetables and your choice of meat or seafood. The long cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and savory dish. Braised longevity noodles are often enjoyed as a main course during Lunar New Year celebrations.
Crispy Fried Longevity Noodles
Crispy fried longevity noodles are a unique and delicious variation of the dish. The noodles are first boiled until al dente and then fried until crispy. The crispy noodles are then topped with a flavorful stir-fry of vegetables, meat, and seafood. The combination of the crispy noodles and the savory stir-fry creates a delightful contrast of textures. Crispy fried longevity noodles are not only a delicious dish but also a visually appealing one, making it a perfect choice for your Lunar New Year celebration.
Peking Duck
Peking duck is a famous dish in Chinese cuisine and is often enjoyed during special occasions such as Lunar New Year. This dish originated from Beijing and is known for its crispy skin and succulent meat. There are different ways to enjoy Peking duck, but the most popular ones are classic Peking duck, Peking duck pancakes, and Peking duck stir-fry.
Classic Peking Duck
Classic Peking duck is a show-stopping dish that requires intricate preparation. The duck is marinated with a combination of spices and then hung to dry for several hours. This process creates a crispy and flavorful skin. The duck is then roasted in a special oven until the skin is golden and crispy. The meat is then carved and served with thin pancakes, along with garnishes such as scallions and hoisin sauce. To enjoy Peking duck, simply wrap a piece of the crispy skin and succulent meat in a pancake, add a dollop of hoisin sauce, and take a bite. The combination of flavors and textures is truly a culinary delight.
Peking Duck Pancakes
Peking duck pancakes are a popular way to enjoy leftover Peking duck. The crispy skin and succulent meat are shredded and wrapped in thin pancakes, along with garnishes such as scallions, cucumber, and hoisin sauce. The combination of the tender meat, crispy skin, and the tangy hoisin sauce creates a burst of flavors in every bite. Peking duck pancakes are not only delicious but also a fun and interactive way to enjoy the leftovers from your Lunar New Year feast.
Peking Duck Stir-Fry
Peking duck stir-fry is a creative way to use leftover Peking duck meat. The meat is stir-fried with a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms, along with a savory sauce. The combination of the flavorful duck meat and the crisp-tender vegetables makes this stir-fry a satisfying dish. Peking duck stir-fry is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or served with steamed rice for a complete meal.
Fish
Fish is an important dish during Lunar New Year celebrations as it symbolizes prosperity and abundance. There are different ways to prepare fish, but the most popular ones are steamed whole fish, braised fish in soy sauce, and sweet and sour fish.
Steamed Whole Fish
Steamed whole fish is a classic Chinese dish that is often enjoyed during Lunar New Year. The fish is steamed until tender and then topped with a flavorful sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and cilantro. The delicate flavors of the steamed fish combined with the savory sauce create a harmonious and delicious dish. Steamed whole fish is usually placed at the center of the dining table as a centerpiece, symbolizing completeness and unity.
Braised Fish in Soy Sauce
Braised fish in soy sauce is a hearty and flavorful dish that is often enjoyed as a main course during Lunar New Year celebrations. The fish is first lightly fried until crispy and then braised in a sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other aromatic spices. The long braising process allows the flavors to penetrate the fish, resulting in a dish that is rich, savory, and tender. Braised fish in soy sauce is best enjoyed with steamed rice and is a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Sweet and Sour Fish
Sweet and sour fish is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and is often enjoyed during Lunar New Year. The fish is lightly battered and fried until crispy, then coated with a tangy and sweet sauce made from vinegar, sugar, and ketchup. The combination of the crispy fish and the flavorful sauce creates a balance of flavors that is both satisfying and delicious. Sweet and sour fish is often garnished with bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, adding a touch of color and sweetness to the dish.
Eight Treasure Rice
Eight treasure rice, also known as babao fan, is a traditional Chinese dessert that is often enjoyed during Lunar New Year. It is made with glutinous rice, which symbolizes unity and prosperity. There are different ways to prepare eight treasure rice, but the most popular one is the traditional version, which includes eight different types of dried fruits and nuts.
Traditional Eight Treasure Rice
Traditional eight treasure rice is made by steaming glutinous rice with a combination of dried fruits and nuts such as red dates, raisins, lotus seeds, and walnuts. The rice is then sweetened with sugar and flavored with osmanthus flowers, creating a fragrant and delightful dessert. The combination of the soft and sticky glutinous rice with the sweet and chewy dried fruits and nuts makes this dessert a favorite among many. Traditional eight treasure rice is often shaped into a round shape, symbolizing reunion and completeness.
Glutinous Rice Balls with Red Bean Paste
Glutinous rice balls with red bean paste, also known as tangyuan, are another popular dessert during Lunar New Year celebrations. These glutinous rice balls are filled with a sweet and smooth red bean paste and then boiled until tender. The rice balls are then served in a sweet syrup made from sugar and water. The soft and chewy texture of the rice balls combined with the sweet and creamy red bean paste creates a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Glutinous rice balls with red bean paste are often enjoyed as a symbol of unity and togetherness during Lunar New Year.
Chicken with Cashew Nuts
Chicken with cashew nuts is a popular Chinese dish that is both flavorful and nutritious. It is often enjoyed as a main course during Lunar New Year celebrations. There are different ways to prepare chicken with cashew nuts, but the most popular ones are stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts and chicken with cashew nut sauce.
Stir-Fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts
Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts is a quick and easy dish that is packed with flavor. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce and other seasonings, then stir-fried with cashew nuts and vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and carrots. The combination of the tender chicken, crunchy cashew nuts, and crisp-tender vegetables creates a dish that is both satisfying and delicious. Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts is best enjoyed with steamed rice and is a symbol of good fortune and happiness.
Chicken with Cashew Nut Sauce
Chicken with cashew nut sauce is a creamy and flavorful dish that is perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations. The chicken is cooked in a rich and creamy sauce made from cashew nuts, soy sauce, and other aromatic spices. The sauce is thick and velvety, coating the tender chicken and creating a dish that is rich, savory, and indulgent. Chicken with cashew nut sauce is best enjoyed with steamed rice or noodles and is a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
Buddha’s Delight
Buddha’s delight, also known as jai, is a vegetarian dish that is often enjoyed during Lunar New Year. It is made with a variety of vegetables, tofu, and other vegetarian ingredients. There are different ways to prepare Buddha’s delight, but the most popular ones are mixed vegetable stir-fry and braised tofu and vegetables.
Mixed Vegetable Stir-Fry
Mixed vegetable stir-fry is a simple yet delicious dish that is perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations. The dish is made by stir-frying a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and bell peppers, along with tofu and other vegetarian ingredients. The vegetables are cooked until crisp-tender, retaining their vibrant colors and flavors. The dish is then seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and other aromatic spices, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish. Mixed vegetable stir-fry is not only delicious but also a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your Lunar New Year celebration.
Braised Tofu and Vegetables
Braised tofu and vegetables is a hearty and flavorful dish that is often enjoyed as a main course during Lunar New Year celebrations. The dish is made by braising tofu and a variety of vegetables such as bok choy, mushrooms, and carrots in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other aromatic spices. The long braising process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a dish that is rich, savory, and satisfying. Braised tofu and vegetables are best enjoyed with steamed rice or noodles and are a symbol of health and well-being.
Sticky Rice Cake
Sticky rice cake, also known as nian gao, is a traditional Chinese dessert that is often enjoyed during Lunar New Year. It is made with glutinous rice flour, which symbolizes unity and prosperity. There are different ways to prepare sticky rice cake, but the most popular ones are traditional sticky rice cake and steamed red bean paste sticky rice cake.
Traditional Sticky Rice Cake
Traditional sticky rice cake is made by steaming a mixture of glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water until it becomes soft and sticky. The cake is then cut into squares or slices and served as a sweet and chewy dessert. The sticky rice cake is often enjoyed on its own or dipped in beaten egg and pan-fried until golden brown for a crispy exterior. Traditional sticky rice cake is a symbol of good luck and prosperity and is often given as gifts during Lunar New Year.
Steamed Red Bean Paste Sticky Rice Cake
Steamed red bean paste sticky rice cake is a variation of the traditional sticky rice cake. It is made by layering a sweet and smooth red bean paste between two layers of sticky rice cake. The cake is then steamed until the red bean paste becomes warm and gooey, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Steamed red bean paste sticky rice cake symbolizes unity and togetherness and is often enjoyed as a symbol of good fortune during Lunar New Year.
In conclusion, the Lunar New Year celebration is a time for family, friends, and delicious food. The Chinese culinary tradition offers a wide array of dishes that are both flavorful and symbolic. From hot pot to dumplings, spring rolls to Peking duck, and fish to sticky rice cake, each dish carries its own meaning and adds to the festive atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying a communal hot pot or savoring a crispy Peking duck, these Chinese dishes are sure to bring joy, prosperity, and good luck to your Lunar New Year celebration.
