2021 Chinese New Year Menu Planning

A delicious collection of Chinese New Year recipes. Each recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions and tips to help you succeed.

The Year of the Ox 🐂 (牛年) is fast approaching! In 2021, 🏮Chinese Lunar New Year (aka Spring Festival, 春节) falls on Friday, the 12th of February and the celebration lasts at least 15 days. To help you prepare festive meals, I’ve curated a collection of classic recipes for authentic, scrumptious feasts on this very special occasion.

Each recipe includes detailed instructions, cooking tips and substitute ideas. Many of them come with tutorial videos. To ease the pressure on the day, I also provide pre-prepared options where possible.

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Beef Dishes

Tender and aromatic, Braised Beef Shank (酱牛肉) is one of the most popular cold dishes for Chinese banquets and festive dinners.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Braised (served cold)
• 📍 Can be made in advance
• 📺 Tutorial video available

Succulent, tender beef strips coated with a flavour packed thick sauce, Black Pepper Beef (黑椒牛柳) is a great dish to impress your guests.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried
• 📍 The sauce can be used for other ingredients

Don’t be fooled by its boring name, Sichuan Boiled Beef (水煮牛肉) has nothing but addictive, bold flavours.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried & briefly boiled
• 📍 This recipe also applies to pork and fish
• 📺 Tutorial video available

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Pork Dishes

Routinely appearing at banquet-style meals, Lion’s head meatballs (狮子头) consist of giant pork meatballs, Napa cabbage and a delicious broth.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Deep-fried & braised
• 📍 Can be partially made in advance
• 📺 Tutorial video available

Aromatic, smoky, savoury & a little sweet, Char Siu/Chinese BBQ pork (叉烧) is one of the tastiest ways to roast pork. 

• 🥢 Cooking method: Oven roasted
• 📍 Can be served either hot or cold

Seasoned with soy sauce, rice wine, rock sugar and spices, Chinese Red Braised Pork Belly (红烧肉) offers a wonderful blend of flavours.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Braised
• 📍 Can be made in advance, reheat before serving

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Chicken Dishes

This classic Sichuan chicken salad, known as Mouthwatering Chicken (口水鸡), is a vibrant dish with multiple layers of flavour.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Poached (Served cold)
• 📍 Can be made in advance
• 📺 Tutorial video available

Marinated with a homemade spice mix, then steamed and smoked in a wok, Chinese Smoked Chicken (熏鸡) is definitely a crowd pleaser.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Steamed & smoked
• 📍 Can be served either hot or cold
• 📺 Tutorial video available

A classic dish cooked in the original way, this recipe for Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁) is simple yet delicious.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried
• 📍 The Kung Pao sauce can be used in other stir-fries
• 📺 Tutorial video available

Flavourful, appetizing & comforting, Soy Sauce Chicken (豉油鸡) is a classic dish that can be served in many delicious ways.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Braised
• 📍 Can be made in advance. Serve warm or cold

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Fish & Seafood Dishes

Cooked to a tender texture, seasoned with a delicious dressing, Cantonese style Steamed Fish (清蒸鱼) requires little cooking skill but tastes incredible.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Steamed
• 📍 Very quick to prepare & cook

This recipe for Sweet & Sour Fish (糖醋鱼) doesn’t require deep-frying and the taste of the sauce is beautifully balanced. 

• 🥢 Cooking method: Braised
• 📍 A whole fish is a must for New Year in Chinese culture

Fried to a crispy texture and served with an aromatic seasoning, Salt & Pepper Shrimp (椒盐虾) can be made at home to a restaurant standard.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Deep or shallow fried
• 📍 Can be partially made in advance

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Egg & Tofu Dishes

Served with silken tofu, roasted pepper and a spicy dressing, Century Egg Salad (凉拌皮蛋) is flavoursome and refreshing.

• 🥢 Century egg doesn’t require cooking
• 🥬 Vegetarian

Chewy outside and soft inside, Pan Fried Tofu with Garlic Sauce (鱼香豆腐) is a perfect dish to wake up your taste buds.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Pan-fried
• 📍 Can be partially made in advance
• 🥬 Vegetarian/Vegan
• 📺 Tutorial video available

Tender tofu cooked in an aromatic and spicy sauce, accompanied by minced meat (or mushroom), Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) is simply irresistible.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried & briefly boiled
• 🥬 Can be made vegetarian/vegan

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Vegetable Dishes

Cucumber Salad (凉拌黄瓜) makes a tasty and refreshing starter. This recipe introduces three different ways to cut and season it.

• 🥢 No cooking required
• 🥬 Vegetarian/Vegan
• 📺 Tutorial video available

A very popular dim sum delicacy, Turnip Cake/Lo Bak Go (萝卜糕) stands out for its fragrant, umami taste and soft, gooey texture. 

• 🥢 Cooking method: Steamed & pan-fried
• 📍 Can be partially made in advance
• 📺 Tutorial video available

Soft, creamy eggplant seasoned with pungent, fragrant seasonings, Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (鱼香茄子) is a classic dish not to miss! 

• 🥢 Cooking method: Blanched & stir-fried
• 🥬 Can be made vegetarian/vegan

Pungent, flavourful in taste and crunchy in texture, Hot & Sour Napa Cabbage (酸辣白菜) is one of the best ways to cook this versatile vegetable.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried
• 🥬 Vegetarian/Vegan

Meaty king oyster mushrooms cooked with one of the tastiest stir-fry sauces, Garlic Sauce Mushroom (鱼香蘑菇) is packed with rich flavours. 

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried
• 🥬 Vegetarian/Vegan

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Dumplings

Indispensable for Chinese New Year, dumplings taste wonderful when made from scratch. Check out my Ultimate Dumpling Guide which includes:

• How to Make Dumpling Wrappers From Scratch
• How to Make Great Dumpling Fillings
• Ten Ways to Fold Dumplings
• Cook Dumplings in Three Ways: Boil, Pan-fry & Steam
• Six Dipping Sauce for Dumplings

Stuffed with a delicious filling & pan-fried to perfection, these Chicken Potstickers (鸡肉锅贴) are a pleasure for both your palate and your eyes.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Pan-fried
• 📍 Can be frozen & fried later
• 📺 Tutorial video available

Visually appetizing and pleasant on the palate, Colourful Dumplings make a perfect festive dish for family and friends.

• 🥢 Coloured with natural ingredients
• 📍 Can be frozen & cooked later
• 📺 Tutorial video available

A tasty filling wrapped with cabbage leaves and served with a delicious sauce, Steamed Cabbage Rolls (翡翠包肉) are a great gluten-free alternative to regular dumplings.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Steamed
• 📍 Can be frozen & cooked later
• 📺 Tutorial video available

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Staples

A hearty all-in-one dish full of goodness and great flavours, Singapore Mei Fun (星洲米粉) is a crowd pleaser on dinner parties.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried

A quick, tasty dish prepared in just a few minutes, Chinese Sausage Fried Rice (腊肠炒饭) delivers a balanced smoky, savoury & sweet taste.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Stir-fried

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Soups

One of the most popular Chinese soup dishes, Hot & Sour Soup (酸辣汤) stands out for its tangy flavour, pleasurable texture and warming nature.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Boiled
• 🥬 Can be made vegetarian/vegan

A comforting dish with natural umami taste, Winter Melon Soup with Meatballs (冬瓜丸子汤) warms your body in a very tasty way. 

• 🥢 Cooking method: Boiled
• 📺 Tutorial video available

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Dessert & Snacks

A classic Lunar New Year delicacy, Glutinous Rice Ball (Tang Yuan,汤圆) consists of a sweet, nutty filling and a silky, gooey wrapper.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Boiled
• 📍 Can be frozen & cooked later
• 📺 Tutorial video available

A delectable treat consisting of sticky rice, dried fruits, nuts and red bean paste, Eight Treasure Rice Pudding is a must-have for Chinese New Year.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Steamed
• 📍 Can be made in advance
• 🥬 Vegetarian

Fresh mango chunks topped with fluffy whipped cream, then wrapped with a thin crepe, Hong Kong style Mango Pancake (芒果班戟) is a dessert to die for.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Pan baked
• 📍 Can be made in advance
• 🥬 Vegetarian

Soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with sweet, creamy red bean paste, Red Bean Buns (豆沙包) is scrumptious and comforting.

• 🥢 Cooking method: Steamed
• 📍 Can be frozen & reheat later
• 🥬 Vegetarian/Vegan
• 📺 Tutorial video available

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I hope this collection of classic recipes has inspired you and I wish you a fun time preparing for this very special festival.

🧧Happy Chinese New Year! 牛年🐂大吉!