Food plays a major role in Chinese New Year celebrations. Pearl balls are frequently served at Chinese New Year celebrations. The round meatball signifies reunion, and this is traditionally a time for families to come together. Egg rolls or Spring Rolls are also popular - they are thought to symbolize wealth, since the roll resembles a 10-ounce gold bar. And you'll often find families making dumplings together on New Year's Eve, particularly in northern China.
Chinese New Year Menus
Symbolic Chinese New Year Food and Recipes
Chinese New Years Eve Appetizers - includes Asian fusion fare
1. Jiaozi Dumplings
In northern China, families spend the night before Chinese New Year preparing dumplings, to enjoy after midnight. Serve Jiaozi Dumplings with Ginger Soy Dipping Sauce
2. Egg Rolls
Rhonda Parkinson
Egg rolls are a popular Chinese New Year food - they are thought to symbolize wealth, since the roll resembles a 10-ounce gold bar. See also Chicken Egg Rolls.Serve Egg Rolls with soy sauce or Chinese Hot Mustard for dipping.
3. Pearl Balls
Rhonda Parkinson
Pearl balls are frequently served at Chinese New Year celebrations. The round meatball signifies reunion, and this is traditionally a time for families to come together.
4. Clam Sycee
Clam sycee originated in Shanghai, on the coast of eastern China. A popular New Year's dish, it symbolizes good fortune and prosperity, as the stuffed clams resemble the gold or silver bouillion originally used as money in China.5. Spring Rolls
Rhonda Parkinson
Spring rolls are made with a thinner wrapper than egg rolls. Choose from Cantonese Spring Rolls, Mini Spring Rolls, Spring Rolls With Barbecued Pork, Vegetable Spring Rolls.
6. Lettuce Wraps
The Cantonese word for lettuce sounds like rising fortune, so it is common to serve lettuce wraps filled with other lucky food. To turn this into an even more symbolic dish, substitute dried oysters for the chicken meat (dried oyster sounds like the word for "good").7. Potstickers
Rhonda Parkinson
These tasty dumplings, pan-fried on one side and steamed on the other, are perfect for Chinese New Year celebrations. Serve Potstickers with Soy Sauce With Ginger, Hot Chili Oil or Dumpling Dipping Sauce
8. Thousand Corner Shrimp Balls
Fortunately this Shanghai appetizer is easier to make than the name suggests! This recipe for Thousand Corner Shrimp Balls includes a dipping sauce.
More Chinese New Year Recipes
Main Dishes
Desserts
Quick and Easy
Vegetarian
