For big family reunion dinners to smaller family feasts, here is my collection of Chinese Lunar New Year recipes, including tasty appetisers, main dishes, and comforting sides, perfect for celebrating with your loved ones.
Food plays a huge role in this celebration, and each dish symbolises something meaningful, abundance, longevity, togetherness, and good fortune.
Family Traditions & Lunar New Year Memories
Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations for every Chinese family. My dad’s side of the family is Chinese, and the Lunar New Year was always celebrated at my grandparents’ house.
All of us would come together, filling the house with loads of laughter, chatter, and the incredible aroma of traditional home-cooked food. I remember helping in the kitchen, watching my aunts prepare these dishes with so much care and love.
They’re simple yet full of flavour, and perfect for hosting without spending much, and everyone loves them! I keep things simple with everyday ingredients you can find at local supermarkets and groceries.
Many of the recipes below are inspired by our family gatherings, which we've passed down through generations. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Appetisers to Begin the Celebration
Siu Mai
Juicy and savoury shrimp and chicken dumplings, steamed to perfection. A classic dim sum favourite that’s always popular at Lunar New Year gatherings.
Get the recipe → Siu Mai ( Shumai )
Spring Rolls
Crispy, golden spring rolls filled with juicy prawns, veggies and seasoning. Perfect for sharing as a festive starter, and goes so well with the Sweet Chilli Sauce dip.
Get the recipe → Prawn Spring Rolls
Hoisin Duck Pancake
Soft pancakes filled with aromatic roasted duck, hoisin sauce, and fresh vegetables. A classic, rich and comforting appetiser that’s great for sharing.
Get the recipe → Hoisin Duck
Wonton in Chilli Oil
Soft, juicy chicken wontons served in a fragrant chilli oil sauce with a balance of heat and savoury flavour. A bold and satisfying starter.
Get the recipe → Wonton in Chilli Oil
Main Dishes and Sharings
Whole Steamed Fish
A traditional Chinese New Year centrepiece, this steamed fish is perfectly steamed and full of flavour. Fish symbolises abundance and prosperity for the year ahead, so it’s a must-add recipe for the Chinese New Year list.
Get the recipe → Chinese Steamed Fish
Soy Sauce Chicken
Tender chicken simmered in a rich soy-based sauce until juicy and flavourful. A comforting and classic Chinese braised chicken dish that you can serve with rice or noodles.
Get the recipe → Soy Sauce Chicken
Mapo Tofu
Soft tofu cooked in a spicy, savoury sauce with minced meat and authentic Sichuan-style seasoning. Comforting, warming, and full of bold flavour.
Get the recipe → Mapo Tofu ( 麻婆豆腐 )
Chinese Five Spice Chicken
A fragrant roasted chicken dish seasoned with Chinese five-spice for warm, aromatic flavour. Simple to prepare and perfect for celebrations.
Get the recipe → Chinese Five Spice Chicken
Chicken Chow Mein
Noodles stir-fried with chicken, vegetables, and a savoury sauce. A classic Chinese noodle dish everyone loves.
Get the recipe → chicken chow mein
Char Siu Chicken
Sweet, sticky, and savoury chicken inspired by classic char siu flavours. A crowd favourite that pairs well with plain jasmine rice.
Get the recipe → Char Siu Chicken
Glass Noodles Stir Fry
Chewy glass noodles stir-fried with chicken, mixed vegetables and a savoury sauce. Long noodles symbolise longevity and good health.
Get the recipe → Glass Noodle Stir Fry
Black Bean Chicken
Tender chicken stir-fried in a rich fermented black bean sauce with garlic and vegetables. Savoury, comforting, and full of depth. Perfect with plain rice or noodles.
Get the recipe → Chicken with Black Bean Sauce
Char Siu Fried Rice
Flavourful fried rice made with char siu chicken, eggs, and vegetables. Easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd. Instead of char siu chicken, you can add any leftover grilled duck or chicken left from the feast.
Get the recipe → Char Siu Fried Rice
Kung Pao Chicken
A bold stir fry made with chicken, peanuts, dried chillies, and a savoury sauce. Spicy, aromatic, crunchy, and packed with flavour.
Get the recipe → Kung Pao Chicken
Vegetable Mei Fun
Simple rice vermicelli noodles stir-fried with mixed vegetables. Fresh, simple, and perfect as a lighter noodle side dish.
Get the recipe → Vegetable Mei Fun
Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry
Juicy chicken stir-fried with crisp green beans in a light savoury sauce. A simple dish that balances richer mains.
Get the recipe → Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry
Sides and Soups
Egg Drop Soup
A light and comforting soup with silky egg ribbons in a simple seasoned broth. Perfect alongside rich main dishes.
Get the recipe → Egg Drop Soup ( Easy 10-Minute )
If you love the richer sweeter, sweetcorn version try, Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup with egg drops.
Hot and Sour Soup
A warming soup with a balance of tangy, spicy, and savoury flavours. Hearty, comforting, and full of flavour.
Get the recipe → Hot and Sour Soup
More Delicious Chinese Recipes for this Celebration Season
If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a peek at our Recipe Collection. From Noodles and Fried Rice Recipes to Soups and family favourites, these dishes are ones we love making together at home, perfect for creating your own Lunar New Year food memories.
Wishing you a prosperous Chinese Lunar New Year from Khin’s Kitchen family!
More Tasty Chinese Recipes
If you try any of these collection of Chinese New Year favourite recipes, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a ⭐ rating, and please do let me know how it went in the comments below.
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