20+ LUCKY RECIPES FOR LUNAR NEW YEAR
Celebrate Lunar New Year with these 20 lucky and symbolic recipes, from longevity noodles to prosperity dumplings—traditional dishes that bring good fortune, happiness, and abundance to your table.
Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, family gatherings, and traditions steeped in symbolism. From long noodles representing longevity to dumplings shaped like ancient gold ingots for prosperity, every dish on the dinner table carries a meaning and a wish for the year ahead. In this collection of 20 lucky and symbolic recipes, you’ll find festive foods that honor heritage while inviting abundance, happiness, and good fortune into your home. Whether you’re hosting a reunion dinner or cooking a quiet celebratory meal, these dishes help you welcome the new year with meaning—and plenty of flavor!
Appetizers
1. CRISPY PORK & CABBAGE EGG ROLLS
Egg rolls are often served during Lunar New Year because their golden, crispy shape resembles bars of gold, symbolizing wealth and prosperity for the year ahead. Crispy foods also represent happiness and celebration, which is why they’re such a staple on festive tables. Serving egg rolls is like wishing your family abundance, good fortune, and a prosperous year.
2. MONEY BAG DUMPLINGS
Steamed money bag dumplings are the perfect appetizers to have for Lunar New Year. Dumplings are one of the most classic dishes during Lunar New Year celebrations because they symbolize wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. People believe that the more dumplings you eat, the more money you’ll make throughout the year!
3. SHUMAI (CANTONESE PORK & SHRIMP DUMPLINGS)
Shumai (or siu mai) is a traditional Cantonese steamed dumpling typically filled with pork, shrimp, and mushrooms, wrapped in a thin wonton wrapper with the top left open. Unlike potstickers or boiled dumplings, shumai are steamed, giving them a tender texture and juicy interior. They’re one of the most popular items at dim sum restaurants and are loved for their rich flavor and delicate bite.
4. SHRIMP AND CHIVES WONTONS
Shrimp and chives wontons combine the sweetness of shrimp with the freshness of chives, all wrapped in wonton wrappers and served with delicious chili oil. These shrimp and chive wontons are perfect for appetizers, snacks, or light meals!
5. CHICKEN AND CABBAGE DUMPLINGS
Chicken dumplings with cabbage are juicy on the inside and crispy on the bottom. These homemade dumplings can be pan-fried, steamed, or boiled. The savory filling of tender chicken and crunchy cabbage, wrapped in a delicate dumpling skin, and served with homemade dipping sauce, makes every bite satisfying and comforting. These are better than any store-bought dumplings!
VEGETABLE DISHES
6. STIR-FRIED MORNING GLORY WITH 10 CLOVE GARLIC
Morning glory (also called water spinach) is often served during Lunar New Year because leafy green vegetables symbolize growth, renewal, and prosperity. The long, hollow stems represent longevity and a smooth path ahead, while the vibrant green color is associated with vitality and fresh beginnings. Serving a plate of greens is like wishing your family health, harmony, and a year that continues to “grow” in a good direction.
7. BOK CHOY WITH GARLIC GINGER SAUCE
Garlic Ginger Bok Choy is packed with aromatic flavors and super easy to make. Vegetables are often seen as a symbol of growth, vitality, and new energy. The green leaves also represent health and longevity. Quick, healthy, and symbolic for prosperity – it is the perfect side dish you can make under 10 minutes!
MEAT DISHES
8. BRAISED LION’S HEAD MEATBALLS
Lion’s Head Meatballs (狮子头) are a traditional Chinese braised pork dish known for their extra-large, tender meatballs gently simmered with napa cabbage in a savory soy-based broth. Despite the fierce name, the texture is incredibly soft and delicate — almost fluffy inside. The name comes from the way the big round meatballs resemble a lion’s head, while the cabbage around it looks like the lion’s mane.
9. SOY SAUCE CHICKEN (EASY RICE COOKER VERSION)
Easy Soy Sauce Chicken made in the rice cooker—juicy, savory, and easy, a flavorful whole chicken dish perfect for family meals or Lunar New Year celebration. Serving a whole chicken during Lunar New Year symbolizes wholeness, unity, and family togetherness. A whole bird represents completeness — starting the new year with everything intact and nothing missing.
10. ASIAN BRAISED PORK BELLY
This Braised Pork Belly is my grandma’s recipe — and it’s her signature dish for Lunar New Year and special celebrations. Rich, glossy, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly simmered in soy sauce, aromatics, and warm spices — this is the kind of dish that makes the whole house smell incredible. The pork turns incredibly tender, coated in a deep caramelized sauce that’s savory, slightly sweet, and perfect over hot rice.
11. CRISPY PORK BELLY (AIR FRYER VERSION)
Pork Belly is one of the most common dishes eaten during Lunar New Year. It is also used as offerings to ancestors and gods. In Chinese culture, pork symbolizes wealth, strength, and abundant blessings. It is said that the cackling skin represents “breaking through” of good fortune, which is why crispy pork belly is a popular dish to serve during the new year festivities.
12. CHAR SIU (CHINESE BBQ PORK)
Char Siu or Chinese BBQ Pork, is a classic dish known for its tender, juicy pork glazed with a sweet and savory marinade. Its vibrant red color symbolizes good fortune, making it a popular dish during Lunar New Year celebrations.
13. POACHED CHICKEN WITH GINGER SCALLION SAUCE
Poached Chicken with Ginger Scallion Sauce is tender, juicy, and full of flavors. The poaching method allows the natural juices to be sealed within the skin. The Ginger Scallion Sauce is so good, you will want to put it on everything! uring Lunar New Year, serving a whole chicken symbolizes completeness and unity. Having both head and feet intact represents a good beginning and end to the year.
SEAFOOD
14. HONEY WALNUT SHRIMP
Crispy golden shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet sauce and topped with crunchy candied walnuts — honey walnut shrimp is one of those dishes that feels fancy but is actually simple to make at home. Shrimp is a popular dish during Lunar New Year because in Cantonese, the word for shrimp sounds like laughter — “ha ha” — symbolizing happiness and joy for the coming year. Serving shrimp is like wishing your family a year filled with laughter, lighthearted moments, and good fortune.
15. CHINESE STEAMED FISH
Steamed whole fish is a classic and symbolic dish in Chinese cooking. Serving whole fish at Lunar New Year is believed to symbolize a surplus of food and money and a year filled with prosperity and success. This easy homemade dish is made with sea bass, topped with ginger and scallions, and served with savory sauce.
NOODLE DISHES
16. LONGEVITY NOODLES (YI MEIN)
Longevity noodles (Yi Mein) stir-fried with shiitake mushrooms and savory sauce, symbolizing long life and prosperity—an classic Chinese dish for Lunar New Year celebrations. Longevity Noodles are traditionally eaten during Lunar New Year and birthdays because the long, uncut noodles symbolize long life, good health, and enduring happiness. The key tradition is to keep the noodles as long as possible while cooking and eating — breaking them is said to shorten luck! Serving this dish is a way of wishing loved ones a long, smooth year ahead.
17. SHANGHAI STIR-FRIED RICE CAKES
Shanghai rice cakes, or “Nian Gao 年糕,” are chewy, oval-shaped cakes made from glutinous rice flour. They have soft and slight firm, mochi-like texture. Shanghai rice cakes are often used in savory stir-fried with ingredients like pork, shrimp, vegetables, and soy-based sauce. Check out my Shanghai Stir-Fried Rice Cakes with Shrimp.
18. RICE CAKES WITH SHRIMP
This Shanghai Rice Cakes with Shrimp combine chewy rice cakes, juicy shrimp, crunchy cabbage, spinach, and a blend of soy sauce and savory seasonings. If you are a fan of Ding Tai Fung’s delicious Shanghai rice cakes, you came to the right place! You can save money and skip the long wait at Din Tai Fung by trying this recipe! It is incredibly easy to make it at home and tastes just as delicious as the restaurant.
DESSERTS
19. BLACK SESAME TANG YUAN
Tang Yuan are chewy glutinous rice balls filled with a sweet paste. Tang yuan are often served in warm, sweetened ginger broth during Lunar New Year celebrations and Lantern Festival. The round shape of the dumplings represents unity, completeness, and family togetherness. Eating tang yuan with loved ones signifies a wish for harmony in the coming year.
20. FRIED SESAME BALLS WITH RED BEAN FILLING
Sesame Balls, or 芝麻球, is a popular Chinese treat that is often served during Lunar New Year. You can also find sesame balls at dim sum restaurants and Asian bakeries. These sweet desserts are made from glutinous rice flour, filled with sweet lotus or red bean paste, and coated with sesame seeds. The dough is deep-fried until it turns crispy and beautiful golden brown.
21. TARO COCONUT SAGO
Taro Coconut Sago is a sweet and creamy dessert consists of cooked tapioca pearls, taro chunks, coconut milk, and sweetener. It can be served either hot or cold. The taro adds a subtly vanilla and earthy flavor and creamy texture. It is the perfect dessert to satisfy sweet cravings all year round.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Make sure you also tag me @onehappybite on Instagram and hashtag it #onehappybite so I can see your creations!
