Looking for recipe inspiration this Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year officially starts on Febuary 1, 2022 and it marks the transition between the Chinese Zodiac signs. Now we're headed into 2022, the Year of the Tiger.  

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Festivities begin on Feb 1st and run through Feb 15th, 2022 when the Lantern Festival starts, and traditionally includes getting together with family and kicking things off with a big meal on Chinese New Year Eve. 

What to eat for Chinese New Year - Lucky Foods
To help celebrate, it's common see the gifting of lucky Red Envelopes (see my post on Red Envelope traditions) and to eat foods symbolic of the Lunar New Year.  These dishes are served to give blessings and are auspicious as to provide prosperity, luck and happiness in the coming new year.   (Getting together with family for this special meal is personal favotie of mine!)

​​Here are my favorite 8 recipes for the Lunar New Year 🧧 celebration:

A must have!  Niangao is a very traditional sweet dessert made from sticky rice, the name of this cake (年糕  Niángāo) translates to mean "higher year" symbolizing increasing property.  Steamed, then served as is, or lightly pan fried, this dish tastes like warm sweet mochi.  Steam your own niangao at home with 3 simple ingrediets and this recipe.

In a hurry and have an Instant Pot?  You can make Chinese New Year cake in an Instant Pot with my foolproof recipe video tutorial.  This by far is my favoite way to make this sticky rice cake.

2.  Pork & Leek Potstickers

Potstickers or dumplings are considered lucky for wealth as they are shaped similar to gold sycees.  You can think of these as representing pockets of money, so it's good to have lots of potstickers during Chinese New Year.  

​Are you a seafood lover?  Try my Shrimp & Pork Potstickers recipe instead.

​Symbolic for a good year from start to finish, it's important to serve the fish whole (the fish head to tail which symbolizes the start of the year to end of the year).  This fish recipe also makes for an impressive table presentation but is surprisingly simple and easy to cook with a short steaming time of around 15 minutes.  Plus, you'll love the flavors of the ginger and cilantro.  

4.  Whole Chicken ​

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous a whole black sliklie chicken cooked simmerd in a soup is also nice.  This type of Chinese chicken soup is also said to have herbal benefits.

Noodle dishes are often served during Chinese New Year as long noodles respresent longevity in life.  As such, it's best to serve long noodles and take care not to cut or damage the noodles when cooking.  For a delicious and savory noodle dish, try my Pan-Fried Soy Sauce Noodles using egg noodles which tend to hold up nicely in cooking.

6.  Shanghai Rice Cakes Stir Fry (Savory Rice Cakes)

Similar to the sweet version of my Chinese New Year cakes dessert recipe, these oval cakes (年糕  Niángāo) are also made from sticky rice.  Stir-fried with cabbage and your favorite meat or seafood, this savory dish takes less than 10 minutes to cook and will ensure you have a more prosperous "higher year".  Watch my video tutorial on how to make these Shanghai Rice Cakes Stir-Fry here.

7.  Traditional Chinese Almond Cookies

Do you remember eating these when you were young?  Since these Chinese Almond cookies are circular and baked in the shape of a coin, it symbolizes good monetary fortune.  Plus it's a sweet dessert which counts having a sweet year!

How do they taste?  Simply put, the store bought versions are nothing like the taste of my recipe for these homemade ones.  So buttery and flavorful, you won't be able to eat just one!  ​

​8.  Hot Pot

Hot Pot is one of my favorite family style dinners and also great for family gatherings like Chinese New Year.  With a pot of hot boiling soup broth in the center of the table and raw ingredients like sliced meats, seafood and vegetables off to the side, this meal is interactive and fun!

The ingredients can be dipped in savory or sweet sauces, or even eaten plain!  The best thing about this meal is that everyone can cook and eat the ingredients they like.  For extra fortune and luck, shop and prepare for these suggested items to add to your soup:

Mushrooms:  Increased Opportunities
Noodles:  Long Life
Dumplings:  Wealth and Fortune
Meatballs/ Fishballs:  Reunion

Chinese New Year 2021 is Friday February 12, 2021 and it's the Year of the OX!  

It's a longstanding Chinese tradition to have a nice family gathering for dinner on CNY Eve, complete with lucky red envelopes and symbolic Lunar New Year foods.  

Below are my 8 recommendations for what you should consider adding to your menu.

(✿ For a video preview of these recipes, check out my video for 8 Chinese New Year Recipes for You.)

1.  Chinese New Year Cake (sweet sticky rice) | 年糕  Niángāo

If you're in charge of cooking this holiday season and want to spend more time with family and friends, consider my entree of choice for large gatherings: 

                            • Breakfast Sausage Fried Rice •

It's easy to make in big batches and if you have rice at home, you will most likely have the other ingredients on hand.  It's perfect for those last minute family visits and potlucks.

Chinese New Year (CNY) 2015 will be on February 19th.  It's the year of the Sheep (or Goat) but I like saying Sheep better + plus the little guy looks like a cute sheep, don't you think?

I get a lot of questions about what recipes I plan on making for CNY or what menu items should be served.  I think it really depends on your family and what your traditions are.  Most people will celebrate Chinese New Year with a family dinner on the eve before CNY day, (so this year it will be February 18th).  

Growing up, my Grandma would always make us Taiwanese Style Hot Pot which was fun and delicious for everyone.  Hot Pot for us was a meal that was traditionally served for Asian holidays and special occasions.  She would also cook Turnip Cakes (those yummy squares often served in Dim Sum restaurants) and Chinese New Year Cakes (sticky rice cakes).  If you haven't had the Chinese New Year Cakes before, they taste like a warm gooey mochi.  (Yum!)