A delicious collection of classic dishes for the Chinese New Year celebration. Each recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions and tips to help you succeed.
There are only a few days to go until we enter the Year of the Rat (鼠年). I guess you, who celebrate Chinese New Year as I do, are already thinking about what delicious dishes to enjoy with family & friends. I’ve selected a collection of classic dishes that are great for this special occasion. Scroll down all the way to the end! I’m sure you will find something you’d like to make for your New Year feast.
Dumplings (Jiaozi, 饺子)
For many Chinese families, particularly the northerners, dumplings are indispensable for the Chinese New Year celebration. I’ve written an Ultimate Guide which covers all aspects of dumpling making with detailed instructions and tutorial videos.
- 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
I also have other recipes focusing on individual dumpling dishes:
- I Love making Colourful Dumplings for special occasions. They are dyed into four colours with natural ingredients and folded into different shapes. Very festive indeed!
- My Bicolour Vegetarian Dumpling is the most popular dumpling recipe on my blog.
- Dim sum style Har Gow (Crystal Shrimp Dumplings) are very appealing both in taste and in their appearance.
- My Boiled Beef Dumplings with Chinese Chives are deliciously juicy. They taste even better served in an addictive hot & sour soup.
- Looking for something vegan and delicious? Try my Tofu & Mushroom Filled Dumplings! They are pan-fried and served with a tasty dipping sauce.
Tang Yuan (汤圆, Glutinous rice balls)
Eating Tang Yuan (汤圆, Glutinous rice balls) is another Chinese New Year tradition. My recipe is for two colours and two fillings: black sesame paste and peanut paste. After you bite through the slippery, chewy wrapper, the sweet, nutty and runny filling slowly fills your mouth. Absolutely delectable!
Beef dishes
Black pepper beef (黑椒牛柳)
Tender and succulent beef strips with a black pepper flavoured sauce, Chinese Black Pepper Beef Stir-fry can be made at home to a restaurant standard.
Spicy orange beef (橙味牛肉)
Orange Beef Stir-fry has a great combination of flavours: savoury, fruity, slightly sour and spicy. It’s surprisingly refreshing!
Pork dishes
Spare ribs with black bean sauce (豆豉炖排骨)
Spare Ribs Braised with Homemade Black Bean Sauce is finger-licking good! Love its multi-layered flavour and the fall-off-the-bone texture.
Shredded pork with garlic sauce (Yu Xiang Rou Si, 鱼香肉丝)
A signature dish of Sichuan cuisine, Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce delivers a sophisticated taste: tangy, spicy, sweet & sour. Absolutely addictive!
Chicken dishes
Mouth-watering chicken (Kou Shui Ji, 口水鸡)
Sichuan Mouth-watering Chicken makes a great cold dish for a festive feast. It can be prepared beforehand so saving you stress on the day.
Three-cup chicken (三杯鸡)
Fried in sesame oil, braised in rice wine and soy sauce, then flavoured with fresh basil, Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken is super aromatic and very easy to cook.
Fish dishes
Sweet and sour fish (糖醋鱼)
A fish dish is a must for Chinese New Year. The Chinese character “余” (abundant) has the same pronunciation as the word “鱼” (fish), therefore we say that eating fish brings wealth. This Sweet and Sour Fish can be made in just 20 minutes and my recipe doesn’t involve deep-frying.
Sichuan boiled fish (Shui Zhu Yu, 水煮鱼)
If you fancy something pungent, try the classic Sichuan Boiled Fish (Shui Zhu Yu). Tendre fish fillet poached in a well-seasoned broth, then topped with spices. It makes a great hit on the table.
Shrimp dishes
Kung Pao shrimp (宫保虾仁)
If you are a fan of the famous Kung Pao chicken, try my Kung Pao Shrimp recipe! It’s equally delicious and very easy to cook.
A tasty, good-looking dish with little preparation, Steamed Garlic Prawns with Vermicelli only takes a few minutes to cook. A great dish to impress your guests at dinner parties.
Tofu dishes
Mapo tofu (麻婆豆腐)
Tender tofu cooked in an aromatic and spicy sauce, accompanied by minced meat, Mapo Tofu is one of the most popular ways to prepare tofu in China.
Pan-fried tofu with garlic sauce (鱼香豆腐)
Chewy outside and soft inside, Pan-Fried Tofu is super delicious with flavour-packed garlic sauce. A perfect dish to wake up your taste buds.
Vegetable dishes
Stir-fried aubergine with plum sauce (苏梅酱茄子)
Stir-fried Aubergine with Plum Sauce tastes creamy and luscious. My recipe tells you how to achieve the desired texture using a minimum of oil.
Dry-fried green beans (干煸四季豆)
Fragrant, salty and pungent, Dry-fried Green Beans with Chinese olive vegetable is one of the best ways to serve green beans.
Iceberg lettuce with oyster sauce (蚝油生菜)
Briefly blanched lettuce topped with a tasty, sticky sauce, Iceberg Lettuce with Oyster Sauce is a classic Chinese dish that gives plain vegetable an appetizing tone.
Spinach and soybean salad with ginger dressing (姜汁菠菜毛豆)
An earthy, refreshing dish loaded with nutrients, Spinach and Soybean Salad is seasoned with a simple yet flavourful Chinese ginger dressing.
Desserts & Snacks
Hong Kong-style mango pancake (芒果班戟)
Fresh mango chunk topped with fluffy whipped cream, then wrapped with a thin, moist and elastic crepe, pillow-shaped Mango Pancake is a dessert to die for.
Homemade fortune cookies (签语饼)
A cute, fun treat for all festive occasions, Fortune Cookies can be made to your own taste and contain your own personalized wishes and messages inside.
Peanut & sesame brittle (花生芝麻糖)
Super crunchy and nutty, Chinese Peanut & Sesame Brittle is totally addictive! It makes a great snack for a family get-together.
Sweet potato sesame balls (红薯煎堆)
Crispy, gooey and super nutty, classic Chinese Sesame Balls taste even better when made from sweet potato.
Hope my recipes have inspired you and wish you a very happy Chinese New Year!
万事顺意，鼠年大吉！
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