The Lunar New Year is a time for family, friends, and great food. If you’re looking to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with some delicious home-cooked meals, here are 18 traditional dishes that are sure to bring you good fortune.
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Steamed Fish (魚)/Yú
Steamed fish is a classic Chinese dish that symbolizes prosperity and abundance. The word “fish” in Chinese sounds like the word “surplus,” so eating steamed fish is said to bring you a year of financial abundance. -
Dumplings (饺子)/Jiǎozi
Dumplings are another popular Chinese New Year dish. They are shaped like ingots, which were used as currency in ancient China. Eating dumplings is said to bring you wealth and prosperity. -
Spring Rolls (春卷)/Chūnjuǎn
Spring rolls are crispy, savory rolls that are filled with vegetables, meat, or seafood. They are a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and they are often served at Chinese New Year gatherings. -
Braised Pork (紅燒肉)/Hóngshāoròu
Braised pork is a hearty, flavorful dish that is made with pork belly that is braised in a sweet and savory sauce. It is a symbol of good luck and fortune, and it is often served at Chinese New Year banquets. -
Glutinous Rice Balls (汤圆)/Tāngyuán
Glutinous rice balls are sweet, chewy balls that are made from glutinous rice flour. They are often filled with sweet or savory ingredients, and they are a symbol of family unity and togetherness. -
Steamed Buns (包子)/Bāozi
Steamed buns are soft, fluffy buns that are filled with a variety of savory or sweet ingredients. They are a popular street food in China, and they are often served at Chinese New Year gatherings. -
Wonton Soup (云吞面)/Yúntūnmiàn
Wonton soup is a clear soup that is made with wontons, which are small dumplings that are filled with pork or shrimp. It is a light and refreshing dish that is perfect for a Chinese New Year meal. -
Stir-Fried Vegetables (炒青菜)/Chǎoqīngcài
Stir-fried vegetables are a healthy and colorful dish that is made with a variety of fresh vegetables. They are a symbol of good health and vitality, and they are often served at Chinese New Year meals. -
Fried Rice (炒饭)/Chǎofàn
Fried rice is a popular Chinese dish that is made with rice that is fried with vegetables, meat, or seafood. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, and it is often served at Chinese New Year gatherings. -
Noodles (面条)/Miàntiáo
Noodles are a symbol of longevity in Chinese culture, and they are often served at Chinese New Year meals. There are many different types of noodles available, and they can be cooked in a variety of ways. -
Sweet Potato Balls (红薯丸子)/Hóngshǔwánzi
Sweet potato balls are a sweet and sticky dessert that is made with mashed sweet potatoes that are coated in a sweet batter and fried. They are a popular street food in China, and they are often served at Chinese New Year gatherings. -
Candied Lotus Roots (糖莲藕)/Tángliánhǔ
Candied lotus roots are a sweet and crunchy snack that is made with lotus roots that are coated in a sugar syrup. They are a symbol of good luck and fortune, and they are often served at Chinese New Year gatherings. -
Eight Treasure Rice (八宝饭)/Bābǎofàn
Eight treasure rice is a sweet and sticky rice dish that is made with glutinous rice that is cooked with eight different types of dried fruits and nuts. It is a symbol of prosperity and abundance, and it is often served at Chinese New Year banquets. -
Steamed Chicken (清蒸鸡)/Qīngzhēngjī
Steamed chicken is a simple but flavorful dish that is made with whole chicken that is steamed until tender. It is a symbol of purity and good health, and it is often served at Chinese New Year meals. -
Steamed Fish Head (清蒸鱼头)/Qīngzhēngyútou
Steamed fish head is a hearty and flavorful dish that is made with the head of a fish that is steamed until tender. It is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, and it is often served at Chinese New Year meals. -
Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables (梅菜扣肉)/Méicàikòuròu
Braised pork belly with preserved vegetables is a hearty and flavorful dish that is made with pork belly that is braised with preserved vegetables. It is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and it is often served at Chinese New Year banquets. -
Wonton in Chili Oil (红油抄手)/Hóngyóuchāoshǒu
Wonton in chili oil is a spicy and flavorful dish that is made with wontons that are cooked in a chili oil sauce. It is a popular street food in China, and it is often served at Chinese New Year gatherings. -
Hot Pot (火锅)/Huǒguō
Hot pot is a popular Chinese dish that is made with a variety of ingredients that are cooked in a
