31 Celebratory Recipes for Lunar New Year
On February 17, 2026, billions of people worldwide will celebrate the Lunar New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) following the lunisolar calendar. Though the holiday’s origins trace back to ancient China, it’s now celebrated across East and Southeast Asia and abroad. Friends and family trade cash-stuffed red envelopes and parade through the streets, while kitchens work overtime. Traditions vary by region and family, but one thing is universal: It’s critical to show up hungry.
Lunar New Year meals aren’t just about feeding a crowd; they’re also about ushering in a year of good luck and prosperity. Many Lunar New Year foods carry symbolic meanings: long noodles nod to longevity, dumplings represent wealth, and turnip cakes promise prosperity—every bite a wish for the year ahead.
As you plan your Lunar New Year spread, consider this lineup of fortune-boosting, region-spanning recipes. Some are rooted in tradition, while others are inspired by Asian foodways throughout the diaspora. All, however, are designed to help you welcome the Year of the Horse feeling well-fed and profoundly lucky.
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Kat Boytsova. Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca1/31Jessie’s Special Steamed Whole Fish
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kendra Vaculin, prop styling by JoJo Li2/31Soy-Braised Chicken Legs
Photograph by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Nicole Louie5/31Ginger-Garlic Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
6/31Chinese-Barbecue-Style Pork Chops
A crowd-pleasing main, these char-siu-inspired pork chops are glazed with a Cantonese-style barbecue sauce and develop perfectly caramelized edges on the grill.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Leslie Garetto, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon7/31Black Vinegar Chicken With Radishes
Photographs by Laura Murray, food styling by Susie Theodorou8/31Salt-and-Pepper Pork With Crispy Rice Cakes
Korean rice cakes, or tteok, known for their wonderfully chewy texture, are a staple of Korean New Year (Seollal) celebrations. Here, they get the salt-and-pepper treatment, with crisp, fatty pork and all the aromatics.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Graylen Gatewood9/31Pork and Cabbage Not-Quite-Dumpling Soup
Photograph by Cody Guilfoyle, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie, Food Styling by Thu Buser10/31Hot-Oil-Seared Biang Biang Noodles
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kendra Vaculin, prop styling by Emma Ringness11/31Egg Drop Dumpling Soup
This recipe leans on grocery store shortcuts like frozen dumplings and boxed stock, yet tastes fully homemade with silky egg ribbons and a broth enriched by soy sauce, fish sauce, and sesame oil.
Photograph by Cody Guilfoyle, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie, Food Styling by Thu Buser12/31Spiced Double Potato Noodles
These bouncy potato starch noodles get tossed with a punchy potato stir-fry and a generous splash of black vinegar for a double potato delight. Short on time? Store-bought sweet potato noodles work beautifully.
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Kat Boytsova. Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca13/31Five-Spice Short Rib and Daikon Soup
Ring in the new year with slow-simmered short ribs and daikon in a fragrant five-spice broth—a nourishing soup that’s perfect for cold weather.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell, Prop Styling by Suzie Myers14/31Slicked and Spicy Lamb Noodles
Inspired by a Northern Chinese classic, this take on longevity noodles swaps hand-pulled noodles for ready-made pappardelle, which is tossed with cumin-spiced lamb, caramelized shallots, and fresh mint.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Prop Styling by Alex Massillon, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht15/31Stir-Fried Bok Choy With Garlic
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Kat Boytsova. Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca16/31Mushroom YouFan
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks17/31Spicy and Sour Stir-Fried Potatoes
Matchstick potatoes stir-fried with chiles, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns create a bold, crave-worthy side dish best served with rice and plenty of fresh cilantro.
Photo by Peden + Munk, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen, Prop Styling by Ceci Garcia18/31Cucumbers With Pickled Ginger–Scallion Sauce
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog, Prop Styling by Heather Greene19/31Prosperity Salad (Yusheng)
Photograph by Chona Kasinger, prop styling by Callie Meyer20/31Garlic Fried Rice
Fried rice with crispy bits of garlic is a versatile side for any Lunar New Year feast—or weeknight dinner. Try pairing it with Hainanese chicken to soak up the gingery broth and chili sauce.
Alex Lau23/31Scallion Pancakes
Ultra-flaky scallion pancakes are an irresistible appetizer for any occasion, and they absolutely deserve a spot on your Lunar New Year table. Plus, leftovers are dynamite with scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero, Prop Styling by Kelsi Windmiller24/31Pork and Shrimp Cabbage Rolls
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by JoJo Li25/31Char Siu Tofu Bao Sliders
Fluffy steamed buns stuffed with char-siu-style tofu provide an ultra-satisfying vegetarian bite—no pork belly required.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca26/31Crackly–Chewy Rice Paper Salmon Rolls
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Kat Boytsova. Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca28/31Mochi-Stuffed Jujubes
Photo by Laura Murray, Food styling by Yekaterina Boystova30/31Black Sesame Mochi Cake With Black Sesame Caramel
Black sesame lovers, rejoice: this Lunar New Year dessert features the nutty ingredient in three forms, including a silky black sesame caramel poured on top. Once you know the mochi cake formula, you can riff on it endlessly.
%2520Linda%2520Xiao%2520.jpg)
Photo by Linda Xiao31/31Brown Butter Miso Mochi Blondies
Inspired by Hawaiian butter mochi, these blondies feature toasty brown butter and the characteristic bouncy texture of mochi, achieved with glutinous rice flour—the same flour used to make the traditional Lunar New Year treat, nian gao.
%2520Linda%2520Xiao%2520.jpg)
