This roundup of 25 Easy Chinese New Year Recipes features a variety of popular Chinese dishes for celebrating this festive Asian holiday. From main dishes to dim sum to desserts, there's something here for everyone to enjoy!
When is the chinese new year?
It's the Year of the Rabbit! The 2023 Chinese Lunar New Year officially begins on January 21st at sundown, and ends on February 5th. People all over the world celebrate the new year in accordance with the traditional lunar calendar. It's the biggest holiday in China, with celebrations lasting for weeks!
Some of the traditions and festivities include gifting money in red paper envelopes, and lighting firecrackers. But the best tradition is always the food, and a lot of it! So, get inspired with these delicious, Chinese recipes that you can make at home in your own kitchen!
Appetizers and soup
Easy pork potstickers
These easy Pork Potstickers are filled with ground pork, fresh ginger and garlic. This "better-than-takeout" Chinese appetizer includes a soy dipping sauce recipe for even more flavor in every bite!
Easy wonton soup
Here's a perfectly healthy Easy Wonton Soup recipe using store-bought, frozen potstickers (wontons) for a quick and delicious Asian soup that you'll savor all winter long. This classic Chinese soup is full of healthy vegetables and homemade broth that's ready in just 15 minutes!
Chinese eggplant dip
Wait until you see how easy it is to make this Chinese Eggplant Dip! Roast up the Chinese eggplant, purple onions, garlic cloves, and red bell peppers. Throw it into a food processor along with some sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sambal oelek, and fresh cilantro. That's it! No, really that's it!
What is the year of the rabbit?
If you were born in 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, or 2023, you are known as a Rabbit. The Rabbit is a “symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity” in Chinese culture, and 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
Air fryer vegan avocado egg rolls
Crispy on the outside, tender and delicious on the inside, these healthy, Air Fryer Vegan Avocado Egg Rolls have all the flavor, but none of the guilt. These Chinese homemade egg rolls are so perfect for entertaining!
Salt and pepper chicken wings
Crispy, golden, and finger-licking good, these are going to be the best Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings you’ve ever made! With only five pantry ingredients, these flavorful, but budget-friendly, wings are going to become a favorite appetizer or game-day snack! And, they're baked, not fried!
Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
Crab Rangoon is a Chinese take-out favorite, and now you can make your own at home in your air fryer! Wonton wrappers are filled with real crab meat, cream cheese, scallions, garlic, and soy sauce and air-fried until crispy. It's so much healthier than deep frying!
Chinese steamed pork buns
These pillowy Chinese Steamed Pork Buns are restaurant quality but homemade in your own kitchen! Learn how to make this popular street food recipe for the Chinese New Year!
Crispy salt and pepper tofu
This vegetarian Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu appetizer is crispy on the outside and silky on the inside. So perfect for entertaining! When you make this Chinese dish for the first time, BE WARNED! -- you will become obsessed! I promise you this tofu nibbler will be on the top of your list of faves.
Main dishes
Chinese curry chicken
Chinese Curry Chicken is a traditional Chinese New Year dish that will dance in your mouth! Made with tender chicken thighs, aromatic red curry paste, turmeric powder, tangy lemongrass, and a bit of heat from dried chili peppers, it's a one-pot meal that's a cinch to prepare!
Chinese five spice pork tenderloin
This Chinese Five Spice Pork Tenderloin is an easy and incredibly flavorful dinner recipe. The Chinese five spice combined with the garlic and pork, and the sauce... OMG! Enjoy it with steamed rice and your favorite side dish, then save the leftovers for sandwiches, soups, or salads.
Instant pot pork lo mein
This quick and easy Instant Pot Pork Lo Mein comes together in just 20 minutes. Featuring tender pieces of pork, crispy veggies, and a knock-out sauce, it's the perfect family meal for those busy weeknights!
Crispy chili chicken
Crispy shredded chicken is coated in a sweet and spicy chili sauce in this easy Crispy Chicken Chili recipe. Not only is this Chinese dish a real crowd pleaser, but it’s delicious and very simple to put together. It’s the perfect meal to make when you’re in the mood for Chinese fake-out take-out!
Chicken chow mein
This is a super tasty Chicken Chow Mein recipe with succulent pieces of marinated chicken and lots of fresh veggies, tossed in a yummy umami sauce that requires just 20 minutes of cooking and prep time!
Stir-Fry Beef and Broccoli
This classic Stir-Fry Beef and Broccoli is so easy to prep and cook! And, for all of you steak and broccoli lovers, the flavor is outstanding! No need to order Chinese take-out when you can make this at home in just 30 minutes!
Easy cauliflower fried rice with crab
A drizzle of sriracha sauce completes this healthy Cauliflower Fried Rice with Crab. And that fried egg on top! So good! This super flavorful recipe will have you convinced that it's the really white rice. It's that good!
Panda express eggplant tofu copycat
This copycat recipe of Panda Express Eggplant Tofu combines crispy tofu, fried eggplants, and red peppers with a sticky sweet and spicy sauce. It's packed with layers of flavor, and it's vegan and gluten-free!
Garlic noodles with shrimp
Asian-inspired, flavorful garlic butter noodles are tossed in a fish sauce/oyster sauce mixture, along with juicy, seared shrimp and green onions in this Garlic Noodles and Shrimp Chinese dish. It's a delicious, easy weeknight dinner!
Side dishes
Chinese scallion pancakes
Chinese Scallion Pancakes often make an appearance on dim sum menus, and are served as street food in China. These scallion pancakes are savory, chewy, crispy from the outside, and flaky from the inside. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish!
Chinese style dry fried garlic green beans
These Chinese Style Dry Fried Garlic Green Beans are blistered until perfectly wrinkled, and sautéed with lots and lots of garlic. With only four ingredients, it's such an easy Asian side dish!
Chinese turnip cake
This traditional steamed Chinese turnip cake is made with daikon radish, Chinese sausage, shiitake mushrooms, dried shrimp, and dried scallops. It's a delicious side dish that's traditionally served during the Chinese New Year because it's associated with good luck!
Baby bok choy with ginger and garlic
This beautiful side dish, Baby Bok Choy with Ginger and Garlic, is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. It's a superfood that's quick and easy, and so delicious! Baby bok choy is a colorful accompaniment to most Asian entrees.
Desserts
Easy chinese egg tarts
These gorgeous Chinese Egg Tarts have a sweet egg custard middle encased in puff pastry dough. They're like little sunshine custards! You'll find these sweet treats at most Chinese restaurants, especially during the Chinese New Year.
Chinese almond cookies
It's traditional to make these Chinese Almond Cookies during the Chinese New Year to give as gifts to family and friends. But these delicious gems are great to enjoy all year round! These almond cookies are crunchy and flavorful, with buttery goodness in every bite!
Coconut mango sago tapioca pudding
Coconut Mango Sago Tapioca Pudding uses tapioca pearls, mango, and coconut milk to make a dessert that's both beautiful and delicious! Layers of creamy, silky coconut tapioca pudding and mango topped with grated coconut create the perfect Chinese-inspired treat.
Homemade fortune cookies
What could be more festive for celebrating the Chinese New Year than Homemade Fortune Cookies? This easy and fun recipe walks you through the steps, but you'll have to create your own fortunes to stuff inside!
Tanghulu chinese candied fruit
Tanghulu Chinese Candied Fruit is an irresistible Chinese street food consisting of skewered fruit coated in hardened sugar syrup. This creates a sweet, crunchy shell around the fruit that makes for the perfect bite every time! It's also a favorite among Chinese children and adults alike!
Homemade pineapple tarts
Make the best melt-in-your mouth, golden Homemade Pineapple Tarts with this easy recipe. These tarts (a.k.a. buns) are a Chinese bakery classic enjoyed all year round, but are most popular during the Chinese New Year.
May these delicious, 25 Easy Chinese New Year Recipes usher in good luck and happiness for you and your family! “Guo Nian Hao” 新年快乐, as they say in China!
Want more recipes like this?
If you liked this roundup of Easy Chinese Recipes, you're going to want these other Chinese recipes too!
- General Tso’s Shrimp and Tofu
- Classic Hot and Sour Soup
- Spicy Szechuan Chicken and Eggplant
- Vegetarian Sweet and Sour Tofu
Cyndee Kramer
I’m so excited to try these Chinese recipes! I’m tired of takeout and never know what ingredients I’m putting in my mouth! I’ll post some pics once I make some of these. Happy Chinese New Year! ❤️
Asian Caucasian
I'm excited for you to try these Chinese recipes too! I hope you find them healthier, and easy to prepare. I agree, no more takeout!