
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year (also Lunar New Year) is a vibrant and joyful time, signifying the start of the lunar calendar.
Each year is represented by a zodiac animal, with a total 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
It's a time to gather with family and friends, honor ancestors, enjoy delicious food, and uphold meaningful traditions to welcome good luck, health and prosperity for the new year.
Traditions such as giving out red envelopes, wearing new (red) clothing, lighting lanterns, watching lion dances, and setting off fireworks symbolize luck, wealth, and happiness for the year ahead.
The Best Chinese New Year Recipes
Explore this collection of traditional and modern Chinese New Year recipes to help you plan the perfect celebration!
From savory dumplings to sweet glutinous rice treats, every dish holds special meaning.
Must-have New Year dishes include dumplings, which represent good fortune and wealth, longevity noodles -- for a long and healthy life, whole fish -- for abundance and prosperity, sticky rice cake (nian gao) -- a homonym for rising success, and whole roast duck or chicken -- for family unity and togetherness.
There’s nothing better than celebrating Chinese New Year with lovingly-prepared snacks and dishes that bring forth unity and prosperity!
Appetizers/Side Dishes







Main Dishes









Snacks



Sweets/Desserts













More Chinese New Year Recipes
Did you make any of these Chinese New Year recipes?
Let me know if you try out these Chinese New Year recipes -- I love seeing your creations! Tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer and be sure to leave me a comment/rating below!
David @ Spiced
I remember going to a Chinese New Year festival as a kid way back many years ago. It was so much fun! I didn't know much about the food back then, but I do now. This is a great collection of recipes!
Michelle
Oooh, CNY festivals are so much fun with lots of energy! Thanks so much David! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine
You are making us so hungry Michelle! With so many delicious options it is so hard to narrow it down to just a few. Going to try your 5 spiced pecans for our snack try. It is going to be a hit for sure.
Michelle
Thanks Bobbi! It's really such a fun and festive time filled with so much delicious food! 😀
Raymund | angsarap.net
Now I feel like having some yumcha! Everything looks good.
Michelle
Thanks Raymund! There's so many recipes to choose from! 🙂
Neil
So many delicious recipes. Is it sad that I would always go for Chinese Spring Rolls?
Michelle
Thanks Neil! Chinese Spring rolls are always a crowd-pleaser, so no surprise that you'd go for them! 😀
Healthy World Cuisine
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Wishing you a very happy and prosperous CNY! So many delicious treats. The hard part is deciding on just a select few. Dumplings but of course and steamed fish but the fun does not end
Michelle
Kung Hei Fat Choi to you and your family, Bobbi! There really is so many delicious dishes to choose from but our staples are noodles, dumplings, and steamed fish for sure!