30 Easy Chinese New Year Recipes

These tasty and tangy Chinese New Year Recipes will get you in the mood to party year-round.

Showcasing the best flavors of China – fragrant herbs, aromatic spices, piquant sauces  – there’s a lot to love on this list.

So if you’re addicted to chow mein or craving sweet and sour pork, read on!

Recreating all your favorite Chinese dishes is easy thanks to these 30 easy, delicious recipes. 

There’s no better way to usher in the New Year with a festive feast.

So let’s make every day New Year’s Day with a trip through the best of Chinese cuisine! 

1. Chow Mein

Why order takeout when you can have homemade chow mein on the table in 30 minutes?

Seriously, if you like Chinese noodle recipes, this is the one to keep on hand.

Crispy noodles, bok choy, mushrooms, and bean sprouts – this is a bowl of irresistibly, healthy goodness. 

2. Lion’s Head Pork Meatballs

Lion’s Head meatballs are a very traditional dish that’s made slightly differently from region to region.

This is the only recipe you’ll need for your New Year’s feast however – delivering light, moist meatballs with delicate flavor.

Pork is mixed with breadcrumbs, water chestnuts, and aromatic flavorings, then steamed to perfection. Make extra… you’ll need them.

3. Moo Shu Vegetables

You may have heard of moo shu pork, but have you tried the vegetarian version?

This dish takes the classic sweet and salty hoisin sauce but (surprise twist!) drizzles it over stir-fried veggies instead of meat.

Oh, and it’s also served with scrambled eggs and Mandarin pancakes. It’s breakfast-for-dinner, Chinese style! 

4. Beef and Broccoli

This one-pot recipe is a scrumptious and satisfying stir-fry for when you want loads of taste, without the work.

Tender beef and crisp broccoli florets are coated in a soy sauce, ginger, and sesame sauce.

It’s intensely sweet and savory, delivering big flavor with every forkful.  

5. Cashew Chicken

This nourishing stir-fry is a quick, easy meal that works equally well for New Year’s feasts or mid-week dinners.

Juicy chicken is simmered in a garlic sauce and served with crunchy roasted cashews, adding a delicious nutty bite. 

6. Chinese Noodle Soup

Chinese New Year falls in January or February… which also happens to be cold and flu season.

But don’t worry. If you’re laid low this winter, beat the bugs with a bowl of this nourishing and tasty soup. 

It’s incredibly easy too. Just broth, veggies, noodles, and your choice of meat.

Throw everything together with plenty of garlic and ginger (great for boosting the immune system!) and enjoy.

7. Sichuan Boiled Fish

Sichuan cuisine features a unique blend of fiery and piquant flavors. So if you like your fish flavorful, this is the recipe for you.

Fresh fish fillets are seasoned with a spicy, peppery marinade and then gently steamed until flaky and fragrant.

8. Dan Dan Noodles

If you like spice, you’ll love Dan Dan Noodles. These are spicy sichuan noodles tossed in an intense chilli sauce.

It’s not mouth-burning spicy, but this amazing side definitely packs a punch. 

9. Steamed Buns

Something amazing happens when you steam buns – they turn wonderfully fluffy and moist. 

They also become ideal vehicles for soaking up sauces and dips.

So if you’re planning a dinner to celebrate Chinese New Year, you’ll need a basket of these buns on the side.

10. Dumplings

You’ll need an air fryer to make these delightful dumplings.

Also known as potstickers or gyoza, Chinese dumplings are little parcels stuffed with ground meat and shredded veggies.

Serve with a sweet and sour sauce for the true eating experience.

11. Peanut Noodles

If you’re serving supper in a rush, these peanut noodles are the perfect way to get something dinner-party worthy on the table in minutes.

The rich peanut sauce is made from creamy peanut butter.

But it has a bit of a bite too, thanks to dark soy sauce and a dash of lime juice.

12. Scallion Pancakes

Chinese pancakes are very different from the North American kind.

For one thing, they’re thin and crispy – almost like a flatbread.

They’re also surprisingly easy to make from scratch. Just mix up the dough, knead it, and pan-fry to golden brown, crispy perfection.

13. Lettuce Wraps

This copycat recipe for PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps is even better than the real deal.

In just 20 minutes, you can serve up seasoned spiced chicken cradled in crispy lettuce. It’s the perfect light supper or delicious lunch.

14. Sesame Noodles

These sesame noodles, tossed in a peanut sauce, are delicious hot or cold.

You can whip them up as a satisfying supper side.

Or make a batch beforehand and enjoy it as a cold salad once the flavors have rested and mingled.

15. Veggie Spring Rolls

Whether you’re a carnivore or following a plant-based diet, vegetarian spring rolls are welcome at any dinner table.

These are the ultimate Chinese appetizer.

If you want to save time in the kitchen, prep the day before and quickly fry when guests arrive.

16. Sweet and Sour Pork

There’s a reason sweet and sour pork is one of the most popular items on Chinese menus. 

Now you can make this mouth-watering mix of sweet and sour right in your own kitchen with this DIY recipe. 

Juicy chunks of pork, sweet bell pepper, fresh pineapple, and fried rice. I dare you not to have a second bowl. 

17.  Long Life Noodles

Long life noodles are a symbol of good fortune in China.

According to tradition, just one bowl of this tasty dish will help you live a long life (hence the name).

For this reason, they’re generally served at all festive occasions. Eat, enjoy, and save the recipe for your 100th birthday party.

18. Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls

Sweet and sour sauce shows up a lot in Chinese cuisine. Why? Because it’s not just tasty, it’s also versatile.

Here, that wonderful flavor is married with moist, juicy chicken balls. Serve over rice or noodles for a restaurant-worthy treat.

19. Lo Mein

Here’s a riddle for you. What takes 15 minutes, tastes amazing, and can be made with whatever veggies you have in the fridge?

If you answered “this lo mein,” congrats, go to the top of the class. 

20. Orange Chicken

Serve this at your next dinner party and guests will think they’re in a Chinese restaurant (your dining room decor notwithstanding).

The most amazing part is that it contains only 3 ingredients! That’s right.

Only 3 ingredients stand between you and crispy chicken coated in a tangy, sticky, orange glaze.

21. Szechuan Noodles  

These better-than-takeout noodles are completely addictive.

Thick, soft noodles are tossed in a spicy Szechuan sauce, and drizzled with sesame chili oil. It’s a quick, healthy, and oh-so-good dish. 

22. Black Rice

I don’t know about you, but when I see a recipe called ‘Forbidden Black Rice’, I want to make it immediately.

The name comes from its other moniker – emperor’s rice.

Chinese emperors munched on antioxidant-rich black rice to lengthen their lives, and longevity was not considered a priority for lowly peasants.

This superfood may not make you live forever, but it’ll definitely make for a super supper.

23. Wontons

If you love wontons but hate the greasy fried variety, this recipe’s for you.

Here, veggie pastry parcels are baked until golden brown. They’re just as good as the traditional kind, but much healthier.

Serve with a sweet and sour dip, and no-one will know the difference. 

The recipe makes 34, which is perfect math – 4 for your guests, 30 for you.

24. Chicken Fried Rice

If there’s one golden rule in cooking it’s this – homemade is healthier.

And the evidence is right here with this tasty takeout-style recipe. 

The secret to perfect fried rice is to use leftovers. Rice made the day before will keep its texture, so you won’t end up with a mushy mess. 

Pile into a pan with veggies and chicken, then flavor with soy sauce and sesame oil.

It won’t be long before this becomes a family favorite!

25. Eight Treasure Rice Pudding

If you’re throwing yourself into the season and cooking up a complete Chinese feast, you’ll need dessert.

I highly recommend this decadent sweet pudding, that’s vegan-friendly and gluten-free.

Sticky rice is stuffed with sweet bean paste and topped with dried fruit.

Serve with an aromatic chrysanthemum syrup to really wow your guests.

26. Sesame Seed Balls

Also known as Jian Diu, sesame seed balls are another classic Chinese sweet treat.

Crispy on the outside, soft and sweet inside, they’re like homemade candy.

They’re made from sugar, rice flour, and red bean paste. 

The dough is deep fried until golden. Serve these warm to get the full benefit of their sweet, nutty, toasted taste.

27. Nian Gao (Chinese New Year Sticky Rice Cake)

This sticky, sweet cake is a must If you’re hosting a New Year’s party.

Symbolizing progress, advancement, and growth, it’s a traditional (and tasty!) way to get your year off to a great start.

The classic recipe is simple – sugar, water, and rice flours. This version takes it up a notch by adding ginger and orange zest.

You can eat rice cake right away, or let it cool and pan-fry a thick slice.

28. Fa Gao (Fortune Cake)

Fortune cake is a moist, steamed treat, a bit like a cupcake. Because you can’t have good fortune without good food!

Adorable fact alert – because the top tends to crack and split (as with most muffins), it’s also known as ‘smiling cake.’

If you like your baked goods to grin at you as you eat them, this is your kind of recipe. 

29. Chinese Almond Cookies

Buttery, nutty, and totally addictive, Chinese cookies are the best kind of cookie. 

They’re easy to make, too, and are ready in just 15 minutes.

They’re made with almond flour for a rich taste that’s healthier than your average cookie, but even more delicious.  

30. Fortune Cookies

No Chinese feast is complete without fortune cookies. 

With this recipe, you won’t just get yummy cookies. It’s also a fun crafty project that’ll tempt kids into the kitchen.

The best part is eating the cookies (obviously), but writing fun fortunes comes a close second.