Explore 23 delectable Chinese New Year recipes, a celebration of savory, spicy, sweet, and sour flavors.
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PARTY-WORTHY CHINESE NEW YEAR RECIPES
Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and what better way to do that than with some delicious recipes? Whether you’re looking for traditional dishes or modern twists, I’ve got you covered with 23 amazing recipes that will make you reach for the sesame oil. From lion’s head pork meatballs to sesame seed balls, from dan dan noodles to eight-treasure rice, from cashew chicken to sweet and sour pork, and more, these recipes are easy to make and full of flavor. You will love the combination of savory, spicy, sweet, and sour tastes that make Chinese cuisine so unique and satisfying. So grab your apron and get ready to cook these amazing dishes. These are the best Chinese New Year recipes you need to try.
Lion’s head pork meatballs are a traditional Chinese dish that is named after their large size and shape. They are made with ground pork, scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and cornstarch. They are simmered in a savory broth with napa cabbage and mushrooms. They are tender, juicy, and flavorful. You can serve them with rice or noodles for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Moo shu vegetables are a colorful and healthy stir-fry dish that is vegan and gluten-free. They are made with shredded cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and tofu, seasoned with soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. They are served with thin pancakes or tortillas that you can wrap around the filling and dip in more hoisin sauce. They are crunchy, tangy, and delicious.
Cashew chicken is a popular Chinese takeout dish that you can make at home with simple ingredients and 20 minutes of your time. It’s made with chicken breast, cashews, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. It’s stir-fried until the chicken is cooked and the sauce is thickened. It’s nutty, sweet, and savory. You can serve it with rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
Chinese noodle soup is a comforting and versatile dish that you can customize to your liking. It’s made with fresh or dried noodles, chicken or vegetable broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, and scallions. You can add any toppings you like, such as boiled eggs, bok choy, mushrooms, tofu, or meatballs. It’s warm, soothing, and satisfying. You can enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Sichuan boiled fish is a spicy and aromatic dish that originates from the Sichuan province in China. It’s made with fish fillets that are poached in a hot and numbing broth with Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilies, garlic, ginger, and bean sprouts. It’s garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds. It’s tender, fragrant, and mouthwatering. You can serve it with steamed rice to balance the heat.
Dan dan noodles are a classic Sichuan street food that is spicy and addictive. They are made with thin noodles tossed in a sauce of sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chili oil, and Sichuan peppercorns. They are topped with minced pork cooked with garlic, ginger, doubanjiang (fermented broad bean paste), and shaoxing wine. They are nutty, tangy, and savory. You can sprinkle some chopped peanuts and scallions for extra crunch and freshness.
Soft and fluffy Asian steamed buns are a versatile and delicious bread that you can make at home with this foolproof recipe. You only need six ingredients: all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, oil, and water. You can shape them into round or oval buns and steam them until they rise and become airy. You can enjoy them plain or with your favorite fillings, such as barbecue pork, red bean paste, or custard.
Peanut noodles are a quick and easy meal that is packed with flavor and protein. They are made with noodles of your choice, tossed in a creamy and spicy peanut sauce. You can add any vegetables or meat you like, such as carrots, cucumbers, chicken, or shrimp. They are great for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. You can serve them hot or cold.
Scallion pancake is a crispy and savory flatbread that is popular in Chinese cuisine. It’s made with a simple dough of flour, water, salt, and oil, layered with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. It’s pan-fried until golden and crisp on both sides, then cut into wedges. It’s a delicious snack or appetizer that you can dip in soy sauce or vinegar.
Sesame noodles are a light and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer. They are made with thin noodles coated in a tangy and nutty sesame sauce. You can garnish them with scallions, cilantro, peanuts, or sesame seeds. They are vegan-friendly and gluten-free. You can enjoy them as a main or a side dish. They are best served cold or at room temperature.
Vegetarian spring rolls are a crunchy and colorful appetizer that is easy to make and fun to eat. They are made with rice paper wrappers filled with fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, and avocado. You can also add tofu, noodles, or herbs for extra flavor and texture. They are served with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce for dipping. They are healthy, refreshing, and satisfying.
Long life noodles, or yi mein, are a symbol of longevity and happiness in Chinese culture. They are made with thin and chewy wheat noodles, stir-fried with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and scallions. You can add any protein or vegetables you like, such as chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, or bok choy. They are a simple and tasty dish that is perfect for birthdays, New Year’s, or any celebration.
Lo mein is a classic Chinese noodle dish that is easy to make and customize. It’s made with thick and soft noodles, tossed with a savory sauce of soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch. You can add any meat or veggies you have on hand, such as beef, pork, chicken, broccoli, carrots, or cabbage. It’s a filling and flavorful dish that is ready in 15 minutes.
Szechuan noodles with sesame chili oil are a spicy and satisfying dish that will make you forget about takeout. They are made with ramen noodles, coated with a homemade sesame chili oil that is infused with garlic, ginger, Szechuan peppercorns, and red pepper flakes. They are topped with ground pork, peanuts, cilantro, and green onions. They are fiery, nutty, and savory. You can adjust the heat level to your preference and enjoy them hot or cold.
Eight treasure rice is a festive and delicious dessert that is popular for Chinese New Year. It’s made with glutinous rice cooked with sugar and oil, then topped with eight kinds of dried fruits and nuts that represent good luck and prosperity. Some of the common toppings are red dates, lotus seeds, raisins, almonds, and candied cherries. The rice is steamed in a bowl until sticky and sweet, then inverted onto a plate and drizzled with osmanthus syrup. It’s a colorful and sweet treat that will impress your guests.
Sesame seed balls are a traditional Chinese dessert that are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They are made with glutinous rice flour dough filled with red bean paste and coated with sesame seeds. They are deep-fried until golden and puffy, then served hot or at room temperature. They are a fun and tasty snack that are often eaten during festivals or celebrations.
Nian gao, or Chinese New Year cake, is a sticky and sweet dessert that is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. It’s made with glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, water, and oil. You can steam it in a cake pan until firm and chewy, then slice it and serve it plain or pan-fried. It’s a traditional and delicious dessert that is enjoyed during the Lunar New Year.
Fa gao, or fortune cake, is a fluffy and airy cake that is steamed in a muffin tin. It’s made with all-purpose flour, yeast, sugar, water, and oil. You can flavor it with vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or matcha powder. It’s a festive and fun cake that is often eaten during Chinese New Year or other celebrations.
Almond cookies are crisp and buttery cookies that are popular in Chinese bakeries. They are made with almond flour, all-purpose flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and almond extract. You can top them with whole almonds or almond slivers for extra crunch. They are easy to make and store well in an airtight container for up to a week. They are a delightful treat that goes well with tea or coffee.
Fortune cookies are crunchy and curved cookies that contain a slip of paper with a message or prediction inside. They are made with egg whites, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and flour. You can bake them in the oven until golden and crisp, then fold them into shape while they are still warm. You can write your own fortunes or use pre-printed ones. They are a fun and creative way to end a meal or surprise your guests.
Sweet and sour pork is a crispy and tangy dish that is better than takeout. It’s made with bite-sized pieces of pork that are coated in cornstarch and fried until golden and crunchy. They are tossed in a homemade sauce of pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce. They are served with pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and rice. It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that is ready in 30 minutes.
Chicken lettuce wraps are a light and healthy appetizer that is inspired by the popular PF Chang’s dish. They are made with ground chicken that is cooked with garlic, ginger, onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha. They are spooned into crisp lettuce leaves and topped with green onions and peanuts. They are crunchy, spicy, and delicious. You can enjoy them as a low-carb meal or a party snack.
Easy chow mein is a simple and tasty noodle dish that is loaded with vegetables and flavor. It’s made with fresh or dried chow mein noodles, stir-fried with cabbage, carrots, celery, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. You can add any protein you like, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. It’s a filling and versatile dish that is ready in 20 minutes or less.
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Ingredients
- Chinese Pork Meatballs
- Moo Shu Vegetables
- Cashew Chicken
- Chinese Noodle Soup
- Sichuan Boiled Fish
- Dan Dan Noodles
- Chinese Steamed Buns (Mantou)
- Peanut Noodles
- Scallion Pancakes
- Sesame Noodles
- Spring Rolls
- Longevity Noodles (Yi Mein)
- Lo Mein
- Szechuan Noodles
- Chinese Rice Pudding (Eight Treasure Rice)
- Chinese Sesame Balls
- Chinese New Year Rice Cake (Nian Gao)
- Chinese Fortune Cake (Fa Gao)
- Chinese Almond Cookies
- Homemade Fortune Cookies
- Sweet and Sour Pork
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Chow Mein
Instructions
- Select your favorite Chinese New Year recipe.
- Gather all necessary ingredients.
- Create a tasty Chinese New Year dish using simple steps and enjoy!
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