Chinese New Year is a time for family, tradition, and delicious food that brings luck, prosperity, and joy to the new year. From savory mains to festive snacks and sweet treats, every dish has a story and a symbolic meaning. Whether you are hosting a reunion dinner or preparing snacks for family and friends, these 16 authentic Chinese New Year recipes will help you create a memorable celebration.
This guide is your one-stop hub for all the festive recipes you need, each carefully prepared with authentic Cantonese flavors and techniques. Click on any dish to get the full recipe.
Prosperity & Wealth Foods
- Spring Rolls — Crispy golden rolls symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Get the Spring Rolls recipe →
- Bak Kwa — Sweet and savory barbecued pork for a lucky start to the new year. Get the Bak Kwa recipe →
- Nian Gao — Sweet rice cake that represents rising fortunes and higher achievements. Get the Nian Gao recipe →
- Dumplings — Traditional crescent-shaped dumplings symbolizing wealth. Get the Dumplings recipe →
- Chinese Sausage Fried Rice (Lup Cheong Fried Rice) — Fragrant rice with sausage, perfect for abundance at the table. Get the Fried Rice recipe →
Reunion Dinner Classics
- Pork Knuckle with Dried Oysters — A rich, savory dish that symbolizes longevity and prosperity. Get the recipe →
- Steamed Fish — Represents abundance and a fresh start to the new year. Get the Steamed Fish recipe →
- Pan-Fried Shrimp — Juicy, flavorful shrimp for happiness and good fortune. Get the recipe →
- Drunken Chicken Rolls — Tender chicken infused with aromatic rice wine for festive celebrations. Get the Chicken Rolls recipe →
- Braised Pork Belly (Dong Po Meat) — Luxuriously rich meat for prosperity and family reunion. Get the recipe →
Snacks & Sweet Treats
- Pineapple Tart — Buttery tarts that symbolize wealth and luck. Get the Pineapple Tart recipe →
- Jian Dui (煎堆) — Golden sesame balls representing completeness and family unity. Get the recipe →
- Tang Yuan — Sweet glutinous rice balls for family togetherness. Get the Tang Yuan recipe →
Vegetarian & Soup Dishes
- Buddha’s Delight — A colorful vegetarian stir-fry bringing blessings and good fortune. Get the recipe →
- Spinach with Superior Broth (上汤苋菜) — Greens for good health and vitality. Get the recipe →
- Longevity Noodles (长寿面) — Symbolizing a long and healthy life, perfect for reunion dinners. Get the recipe →
Celebrate the upcoming 2026 Chinese New Year with these timeless dishes. Each recipe is full of authentic flavor and tradition, perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Thank you for the New Year recipes and the descriptions of what it represents. I have forgotten some of these foods and others we didn’t have in Hawaii.
Gogi hi fat choy
Thank you so much for your beautiful recipes ❤️
Request a recipe for fried chicken wings
I have 2 fried chicken recipes that you can try.
Korean fried chicken
Indonesian fried chicken
The recipes look great! I’m so glad you added the meanings and history behind each recipe since I’ve only heard bits and pieces from my mother and didn’t understand.. Thanks for the detailed description. I’m looking forward to trying several of the recipes.
Hi, this is KP Kwan. I am happy to see you in this comment area, as you have read through my recipe. I am glad to reply to any questions and comments as soon as possible.