Guided by the cycles of the moon, the Lunar New Year marks a transition from the long, cold nights of the past year to a renewed spring—the perfect time to gather with loved ones and celebrate with a bountiful feast. Observed across East and Southeast Asia and diasporic communities worldwide, this holiday is as much about feeding people as it is seeing them. Bánh chưng steaming, dumplings sizzling, and drinks free flowing, hosts and guests alike best roll up their sleeves for the revelry.
To that end, we’ve gathered the choicest ingredients—an auspicious eight per category—so you can host a banquet with stylish ease or arrive at dinner a most appreciative (and appreciated!) guest.
From handmade steamer baskets and statement tableware to oolong chocolates and ceremonial libations, consider yourself covered. Now do like the new year’s titular Horse and ride on free!
In the kitchen
A feast always starts in the kitchen. A wok is the workhorse of mine—adept at everything from deep-frying to steaming—and Kama-Asa’s hammered carbon-steel wok is a shimmering beauty to behold. Pair it with Yunhai’s handmade cypress and bamboo steamer baskets, tall enough to steam perfectly supple egg custards or giant pork buns. And for a bit of countertop cheer, try out these gourd-shaped salt and pepper grinders, which come in an array of bold colors.
On the table
Since so much of the actual celebration takes place at the table, you might as well give it a good sprucing. Seletti’s hybrid dinner plate—a playful Frankenstein of Western and Eastern ceramic painting traditions—makes for a conversation-starting centerpiece. Or, for a quieter kind of luxury, the mother-of-pearl chopstick rests from Ott Ott (named after the Korean lacquer finish, ottchil) adds a subtle satin sparkle that easily elevates any setting.
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From the pantry
Nothing gets a home cook sauced up quite like a few good bottles. Cabi’s sauce trio, with yuzu vinegar, dashi joyu, and sansho miso, makes for an instant pantry upgrade. Yu Ding Shing soy pastes are also wonderfully versatile: mixed with vinegar and chili oil for a thicker-bodied dumpling sauce, or even as a deeply savory accent for a red pasta sauce. For the snackers out there, try any of the tea-flavored chocolates from Fossa, a Singaporean-based chocolatier and provisions brand.
In your glass
Whether you’re sipping something slow before the festivities or clinking your final toasts, drinks set the tone. Sparkling sake is a great option for anyone who wants something bubbly to ring in the new year, and if you’re feeling bolder, a bottle of Moutai brings full ceremonial bravado. For a quieter kind of celebration (or post-drink calm), set out a tea service with Té Company’s High Mountain teas.
On the bookshelf
A cookbook is good for two things: teaching you how to pull off something impressive, and being left on a counter to drop a hint before the big day. Either or. Everyone Hot Pot is a welcome addition to any shelf if you, like me, are allured by hotpot’s perfect interactivity. Vietnam by Anais Ca Dao, one of our best cookbooks of fall 2025, meanwhile, is an informative tribute to Vietnamese cuisine, with stunning photography to boot.
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…And everything else
Sometimes (rarely), the best gifts aren’t edible. To that end, I’ve rounded up a few standout atmospheric picks: throw Scandles’ dekopon candle to your citrus fruit bowl for auspicious tidings, or opt for a sensory experience in Jijide’s Riso, a sweet-savory perfume redolent of rice steam, soy, wood, mandarin, and red dates.
