20+ Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner Recipe Blog Get Cooking And Enjoy!
Published on: Mar 3, 2024
Chinese New Year is a time for family, celebration, and most importantly, food. As the most important holiday in Chinese culture, the Lunar New Year is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy a traditional reunion dinner. This special meal is filled with symbolic dishes that are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. In this article, we will share with you a professional and well-organized introduction to Chinese New Year reunion dinner recipes that will make your celebration even more special and meaningful.
Main Ingredients: Oyster Sauce, Sesame Oil, Chinese Rice Wine, Ginger
The Chinese New Year is a time for celebration, family, and delicious food. One dish that is often served during this festive season is Long Life Noodles. These noodles are a symbol of longevity and are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. Made with long, uncut noodles, this dish is not only delicious but also has a deep cultural significance.
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Start The New Year Right with Hoppin’ John Served Over...
Main Ingredients: Chard, Bacon, Garlic, Yellow Onion, Dried Thyme, Salt
In the Southern United States, Hoppin’ John is a traditional dish served on New Year’s Day to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. This dish consists of black-eyed peas, rice, and pork, and is often served over collard greens for added flavor and nutrition. Not only is Hoppin’ John a tasty way to start the new year, but it is also a great way to use up any leftover holiday ham.
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Chinese New Year Chicken Fried Rice
Main Ingredients: Sesame Oil, Jasmine Rice, Chicken, Garlic Cloves
Fried rice is a staple dish in Chinese cuisine, and it is often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. This dish can be made with a variety of meats, but chicken is a popular choice for its symbolism of good luck and prosperity. The combination of tender chicken, vegetables, and flavorful rice makes this dish a crowd-pleaser and a perfect addition to any Chinese New Year feast.
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Chinese New Year Skillet
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Roast, Green Pepper, Pineapple Tidbits
This one-pan Chinese New Year Skillet is a quick and easy way to bring some traditional flavors to your dinner table. Made with chicken, vegetables, and rice, this dish is not only delicious but also a symbol of unity and togetherness. The skillet method also makes for an easy clean-up, leaving you with more time to spend with your loved ones during this special holiday.
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New Year Stew
Main Ingredients: Collard Greens, Smoked Ham Hocks, Cooked Ham, Water
In many cultures, stew is a popular dish for celebrating the new year. It is believed that the longer the stew cooks, the more luck it will bring for the upcoming year. This hearty and comforting dish is perfect for cold winter nights and is a great way to use up any leftover meat and vegetables from your holiday feast. Serve with some crusty bread for a satisfying and lucky meal.
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Chinese New Year Cashew Chicken
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Onion, Baby
Cashew chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that is often served during the Chinese New Year. This dish features tender chicken, vegetables, and cashews in a savory sauce that is both sweet and spicy. The cashews are a symbol of wealth and prosperity, making this dish a perfect addition to your Chinese New Year celebration.
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General Tso's Chicken Chinese New Year Celebration
Main Ingredients: Chicken, Egg, Water, Flour, Black Pepper, Cayenne
General Tso’s Chicken is a classic Chinese dish that is often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. This dish features crispy chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages. The name of the dish is said to be derived from a Chinese military leader, General Tso, but the origin of the recipe is still debated. Regardless of its origins, this dish is always a hit at any Chinese New Year feast.
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Vegetarian Ham (Chinese New Year)
Main Ingredients: Bean Curd, Soy Sauce, Tamari, Water, Sugar, Fennel
If you’re looking for a vegetarian option for your Chinese New Year celebration, this Vegetarian Ham is a great choice. Made with seitan, a meat substitute made from wheat gluten, this dish mimics the texture and flavor of traditional ham. Serve it with your favorite Chinese New Year dishes for a complete and lucky meal.
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Hoppin John -Hopping Straight into the New Year
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Red Bell Pepper, Celery, Onion, Garlic
In the South, Hoppin’ John is a traditional New Year’s dish that is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. This dish is made with black-eyed peas, rice, and pork, and is often served with collard greens. The black-eyed peas are said to represent coins, while the collard greens represent money, making this dish a symbol of wealth and luck.
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Lucky New Year Penne Pasta
Main Ingredients: Black Eyed Peas, Gluten Free Penne Pasta, Butter
If you’re looking for a unique and delicious way to celebrate the new year, try this Lucky New Year Penne Pasta dish. Made with penne, sausage, and a variety of vegetables, this dish is not only tasty but also full of good luck ingredients. The penne pasta resembles coins, while the sausage and vegetables symbolize wealth and prosperity. Serve with some crusty bread for a lucky and satisfying meal.
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Chinese New Year Shrimp Fried Rice
Main Ingredients: Oil, Garlic, Shrimp, Jasmine Rice, Egg, Soy Sauce
Shrimp is a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine, and it is often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. This Shrimp Fried Rice is a great way to incorporate this lucky ingredient into your holiday feast. Made with tender shrimp, vegetables, and flavorful rice, this dish is quick and easy to make and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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Chinese New Year Pork Stir Fry
Main Ingredients: Rice, Orange Juice, Cornstarch, Vegetable Oil, Pork
Stir-fry dishes are a staple in Chinese cuisine, and they are often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. This Pork Stir Fry is a perfect way to incorporate some lucky ingredients into your meal. Made with pork, vegetables, and a savory sauce, this dish is both delicious and symbolic of good luck and prosperity.
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Hoppin' John for the New Year
Main Ingredients: Bacon, Green Pepper, Onion, Garlic Cloves, Black Eyed
Hoppin’ John is a traditional dish in the South that is often served on New Year’s Day to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. This dish is made with black-eyed peas, rice, and pork, and is often served with collard greens. Not only is this dish a tasty way to start the new year, but it is also a great way to use up any leftover holiday ham.
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Chinese dumplings / potstickers for Lunar New Year
Main Ingredients: Dumpling Skins, Ground Meat, Veggies, Soy Sauce, Sesame
Dumplings, also known as potstickers, are a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and are often served during the Lunar New Year celebration. These little pockets of goodness can be filled with a variety of meats and vegetables and are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. Making dumplings is also a fun and interactive activity for your family and friends to enjoy during the holiday season.
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Long-Life Noodles for Chinese New Year
Main Ingredients: Green Onions, Dried Shitake Mushrooms, Chinese Noodles
Long-life noodles are a staple dish in Chinese cuisine and are often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. These noodles are a symbol of longevity and are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. Made with long, uncut noodles and a variety of meats and vegetables, this dish is not only delicious but also has a deep cultural significance.
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Steamed Shrimp & Mushroom Dumplings for Chinese New...
Main Ingredients: Shrimp, Water Chestnuts, Green Onion, Shiitake
Dumplings, or potstickers, are a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and are often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. These Steamed Shrimp & Mushroom Dumplings are a delicious and lucky addition to your holiday feast. Made with tender shrimp, mushrooms, and a flavorful sauce, these dumplings are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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Black-eyed Peas and Collards–A Happy New Year
Main Ingredients: Black Eyed Peas, Olive Oil, Onion, Celery, Garlic
In the South, it is believed that eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day will bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. This tradition has been passed down for generations and is still practiced today. The black-eyed peas represent coins, while the collard greens represent money, making this dish a symbol of wealth and luck.
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Black Eye Pea Ham and Collard Green Curry for the New...
Main Ingredients: Black Eyed Peas, Cooked Ham, Curry Leaves, Cinnamon
If you’re looking for a unique and flavorful way to celebrate the new year, try this Black Eye Pea Ham and Collard Green Curry. This dish combines the traditional Southern New Year’s ingredients of black-eyed peas and collard greens with the spicy flavors of curry. Serve with some rice for a hearty and lucky meal.
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Colourful dumplings for Chinese New Year (Ultimate...
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Water, Spinach, Carrot, Purple
Dumplings, also known as potstickers, are a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and are often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. These Colorful Dumplings are a fun and festive way to incorporate some lucky ingredients into your holiday feast. Made with a variety of colorful vegetables, these dumplings are not only delicious but also a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Orange chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that is often served during the Chinese New Year celebration. This dish features crispy chicken in a sweet and tangy orange sauce, making it a hit with both kids and adults. The bright orange color of the sauce is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year.
Preparing for the Reunion Dinner
Gather the Ingredients
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for the dishes you plan to make. Some common ingredients that are used in Chinese New Year reunion dinner recipes include fish, chicken, pork, and various vegetables. It is believed that eating fish during the reunion dinner will bring abundance and prosperity for the new year, while chicken represents family unity and togetherness. Pork symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and vegetables represent health and longevity.
Clean and Organize the Kitchen
A clean and organized kitchen is essential for a successful reunion dinner. Before you start cooking, make sure your kitchen is tidy and all the necessary utensils and cookware are easily accessible. This will save you time and make the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable.
Plan Your Menu
Having a well-planned menu is crucial for a successful reunion dinner. Consider the preferences and dietary restrictions of your family members when choosing dishes. It is also a good idea to include a variety of dishes with different flavors and textures to create a well-rounded meal.
Traditional Reunion Dinner Dishes
Steamed Whole Fish
Steamed whole fish is a must-have dish for Chinese New Year reunion dinner. It is usually served with the head and tail intact, symbolizing a good beginning and ending for the new year. The Chinese word for fish, "yu," sounds similar to the word for abundance, making it a popular dish for the holiday.
Braised Pork Belly
Another staple dish for Chinese New Year is braised pork belly, also known as "Dong Po Rou." This dish is made by slow-cooking pork belly in a flavorful sauce until it becomes tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year.
Stir-Fried Vegetables
To balance out the rich and heavy dishes, it is important to include some stir-fried vegetables in the reunion dinner menu. Common vegetables used in Chinese New Year dishes include bok choy, napa cabbage, and mushrooms. These dishes represent abundance, renewal, and a fresh start for the new year.
Final Thoughts
Chinese New Year reunion dinner is more than just a meal. It is a time for family, tradition, and celebration. By preparing and enjoying these symbolic dishes together, we are not only nourishing our bodies but also our souls. We hope this article has given you some inspiration for your reunion dinner menu and wish you a prosperous and joyful Chinese New Year!