Celebrate Lunar New Year with a Delicious Feast

Lunar New Year’s Day is a wonderful chance for family and friends to come together and enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal. This festive occasion can be made special with our simple yet flavorful menu, featuring dishes that are quick to prepare. Indulge in a warm bowl of hot and sour soup, followed by ginger and garlic spiced chicken, and finish off with delightful toffee bananas.

For more delicious ideas, explore our Lunar New Year recipes and our collection of family-friendly dishes.

When is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year 2025, which welcomes the Year of the Horse, begins on February 17. This celebration is based on the lunar calendar, aligning its dates with the various moon phases.

Starter: Hot & Sour Prawn & Sweetcorn Soup

To make the most flavorful broth, use the stock from the poached chicken in your main course as the base. If you’re pressed for time, fresh chicken stock works just as well. Traditionally, this soup derives its heat from ground white pepper and is thickened with cornflour. In our version, we’ve opted for chilli for spice and Chinese black rice vinegar for a delightful tang. Spend a quick 20 minutes making this hot & sour prawn & sweetcorn soup, then serve in bowls garnished with crunchy spring onion strips.

Starter: Shanghainese Quick-Braise Hong Sao-Style Lion’s Head Meatballs

Though not traditionally served for Lunar New Year, the round shape of these meatballs symbolizes a ‘well-rounded’ year. The reddish Hong Sao (red-braised Chinese sauce) adds to the lucky symbolism associated with the color red. Recipe developer Ching-He Huang shares, “My grandmother would say that eating lion’s head meatballs helps us be as strong as lions—a cherished family saying.” Traditionally, Shanghainese meatballs are quite large, about the size of a fist, but feel free to make smaller ones if you prefer. They can also be pre-cooked and frozen; just give them a quick braise in the red sauce before serving.

Main: One-Pot Crystal Chicken with Ginger & Chicken Oil

Now, onto the main attraction: our one-pot crystal chicken. This dish combines soy sauce, rice wine, and a hint of Sichuan pepper for an incredibly moist and flavorful chicken. You can choose to use the traditional poaching method or opt for a pressure cooker to whip it up in just 20 minutes. Drizzle some ginger and chili oil over your meal for an added kick.

Main: Steamed Sea Bass with Wok-Fried Bacon Lardons, Chestnuts & Dried Chinese Mushrooms

During Lunar New Year, the phrase “Nian nian you yu” symbolizes abundance, as the word for ‘fish’ (yu) sounds like the term for ‘abundance’ (yu). Thus, a whole fish is usually presented to signify unity and completeness, with vibrant red chillies for added luck. You can use any fish you prefer; cod fillets are an excellent choice, or opt for frozen fish and follow the package instructions for cooking.

Main: Chinese Hotpot

Fill a pot with a spicy Sichuan pepper and chili broth, allowing guests to poach their choice of ingredients—such as prawns, steak, and chicken. For a vegetarian option, include tofu.

Side Dish: Stir-Fried Garlic Green Beans

Adding a healthy touch to your meal, our stir-fried garlic green beans are a vibrant, delicious side that complements richer dishes beautifully. Using just four ingredients, including oyster sauce, this dish takes only 15 minutes to prepare.

Side Dish: Golden Egg & Onion Fried Rice

The bright yellow of the scrambled eggs and wok-charred onions is believed to bring wealth in the new year. Elevate this dish with a drizzle of crispy chili oil for an extra punch. This is an excellent side to pair with the rest of your festive spread.

Side Dish: Seasonal ‘Wealth Greens’ (‘Fa Cai’)

‘Cai’ is the Mandarin word for ‘vegetables,’ but it also sounds like ‘prosperity.’ This connection brings meaning to the Lunar New Year greeting, ‘Gong xi fa cai,’ which translates to ‘Congratulations on your wealth!’ This recipe features red chard, a sustainable leafy vegetable that is packed with nutrients and presents the lucky color red beautifully.

Dessert: Toffee & Sesame Bananas

A perfect ending to your festive dinner, our toffee & sesame bananas are a delightful, sweet treat. Grill the bananas with light brown sugar until they caramelize, then drizzle over your homemade sauce and offer a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can even prepare the sauce in advance for a truly relaxing evening of hosting. What’s not to love?

Dessert: Tanghulu

Indulge in this traditional Chinese dessert featuring sugar-coated bamboo-skewered hawthorn berries or other fruits. Aim for small, whole fruits that hold minimal water to achieve the best texture. The outcome is a crunchy, juicy treat that is easy to make—just remember to work quickly!

2. Additional Extras and Drinks

Prepare a variety of easy appetizers before your guests arrive and have some classic drinks ready for entertaining. Consider making our Chinese dumplings, filled with prawns, water chestnuts, and pork, paired with your favorite dipping sauce. For an exciting appetizer, try our spicy Sichuan chicken wings with a garnish of chopped chili and crunchy peanuts. These tasty morsels are sure to be devoured in no time. Our hoisin chicken wrapped in crisp lettuce makes for a convenient buffet-style option, while our red sweet and sour prawns would be an excellent addition to a shared table.

To conclude your feast, consider our refreshing lychee and lime sorbet as a light dessert. Transform a few cans of lychees and three other ingredients into a delightful palate cleanser. For a tropical twist, substitute with our pineapple sorbet with fresh mango.

Enhance your gathering with our easy two-ingredient cocktails, or start the festivities with a signature lychee martini.

Still hungry? Discover even more recipes for a complete Chinese banquet in our guide on creating a Lunar New Year celebration meal and explore Chinese New Year traditions.

Enjoyed these recipes? Explore more entertaining ideas:

How to Cook Chinese Food
Our Ultimate Chinese Recipe Collection
Best Chinese Chicken Recipes
Everything You Need for Entertaining

What’s your favorite Chinese dish? Share in the comments below!