5 Foods to Try This Chinese New Year

Chinese Lunar New Year is a festive time for many all over the world. The holiday features fireworks, new clothes, the colour red, and most importantly, lots of good food. Many traditions are hugely symbolic, such as serving two whole fish and saving one for leftovers to represent surplus in the new year. However, if you want to experiment with new foods or even celebrate the Lunar New Year yourself, here are 5 traditional foods that you can try making on February 1^st!

Homemade Dumplings

Dumplings are a family affair, and as the old saying goes, a family who cooks together, stays together. Dumplings can be filled with anything you want, from chicken, to prawns, to completely vegetarian or vegan fillings. Why not get your family members round and try making some yourselves? It’s a fun activity that everyone will remember for years to come!

Spring Rolls

It’s likely that you’ve tried spring rolls at your local Chinese restaurant or takeaway, but why not try making them yourself? Spring rolls are highly symbolic during Chinese New Year and represent wealth: they look like little gold bars! They can be filled with anything you want, although they usually have a mix of vegetables, like carrots and beansprouts, and some kind of meat or fish.

Fried Rice

A staple on most Chinese takeaway menus, fried rice is a family favourite, and is also an easy and filling meal to make. Full of meat, shellfish and vegetables, fried rice is the perfect accompaniment, or even the perfect main dish, for Chinese New Year festivities!

Noodles

Noodles are always served at Chinese celebrations, especially longevity noodles. These super long noodles represent prosperity and a long life and will always be one of the last meals served at Chinese banquets and meals. What used to be one long noodle is now a few very long ones, served very simply with mushrooms and Chinese chive. It’s delicious and a symbol of good luck, so make sure you eat some this Chinese New Year!

Fortune Cookies

Although these crescent shaped cookies aren’t traditionally Chinese, they do make for a fun end to the New Year celebrations! Not known for their taste, they’re filled with a tiny hand written fortune – something you can get the whole family involved with this February 1^st!