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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Jan 9, 2023

15+ Lunar New Year Recipes for 2023

5 from 1 vote

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by Becca Du

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Prepare for your 2023 Lunar New Year feast by making one of these 15+ crowd pleasing recipes. Included in this round up are my favorite appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

It’s crazy to think that we are at the end of one year and the beginning of another on the Lunar calendar. This year is the year of the rabbit! Families from all over the world celebrate this holiday with a feast on new year’s eve that includes a variety of dishes to welcome the new year. Over the many years of celebrating this holiday, I’ve eaten many traditional and some not so traditional dishes, so today, I wanted to share some of my favorite Lunar New Year recipes for this holiday.

What is Lunar New Year and how is it celebrated?

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar which tracks the year in moon cycles. It is celebrated predominantly in Asian countries and cultures like China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Growing up, I always referred to this holiday as Chinese New Year since my family is originally from China. In Vietnam where my parents were born, they refer to it as Tet.

In Chinese cultures, Chinese New Year is celebrated with family and friends gathering for a large feast on New Year’s eve. People usually say “Happy New Year” and/or “Gong Hei Fat Choy” which in Cantonese wishes the recipient prosperity for the new year (you’re basically saying you hope the recipient gets rich lol). And children receive red envelopes with “lucky” money from elders (your parents, grandparents, uncles etc).

red bean puff pastries

What is eaten at the Lunar New Year feast?

There is a lot of symbolism related to the foods eaten at a Lunar New Year feast, and every family does it differently. My family consistently has whole duck, whole chicken, and boiled whole shrimp. It’s important to serve the whole animal because it symbolizes a good beginning and end to the year. Each specific dish also represents something different. For example, chicken represents wealth and wholeness, and duck represents fertility. There is no clear guideline on what can and cannot be served, but typically, I always say serve what your family likes. Below are a few of my personal favorite dishes for Lunar New Year.

Tips on how to have the best Lunar New Year feast

Make it a potluck

Personally, I think it is crazy that 1 person cooks a feast that feeds 10-20 people. That’s a lot! Unless you want to cook the entire dinner, ask guests to pitch in with a dish or two. Sometimes, guests will surprise you and make something you don’t know how to make, so you can try something new!

Buy some of your dishes

One way to reduce your cooking time is to buy some of your dishes. Sometimes, a restaurant will make a dish better than you will. For example, I still can’t make roasted pork with crispy skin to save my life. At least not on the level a true Cantonese BBQ place can make it. One pro trip is to call the restaurant ahead of time and pre-order your dishes because many restaurants are overwhelmed the day of, so they can run out of the dishes you want.

Make some of your dishes a day ahead

There are a lot of dishes, especially desserts, you can make a day ahead of time. Cakes, cookies, and candies will last overnight.

salt and pepper shrimp on a plate

Savory Recipes

My favorite appetizers and entrees to help you celebrate Lunar New Year! Some are traditional. Some are non-traditional. But they’re all guaranteed crowd pleasers!

1. Five Spice Roasted Duck

five spice roasted duck
Five Spice Roasted Duck
Duck is something that is eaten for celebrations, so we always have duck at all my family get togethers, especially during Lunar New Year. Cooking duck might seem intimidating at first, but I promise you it is actually not. This recipe makes it extremely easy for you to have the best duck for your feast!
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2. Vietnamese Egg Rolls (Cha Gio)

cha gio
Vietnamese Egg Rolls (Cha Gio)
This yummy appetizer is always a crowd pleaser at family gatherings, especially during the new year. Put these out while you're still preparing the rest of the feast, and they will keep your guests happy as they wait. This recipe makes 50 egg rolls, so you'll have enough for your party and maybe some leftover.
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3. Hainanese Chicken Rice (Com Ga Hai Nam)

Hainanese chicken on a plate with rice and 2 dipping sauces.
Hainanese Chicken Rice (Com Ga Hai Nam)
This famous chicken rice comes from Singapore, but I gave it a little Vietnamese flair to make it my own. Whole chicken symbolizes luck, wholeness, and a good beginning to a new year.
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4. Banh Bao (Vietnamese Steamed Pork Buns)

banh bao recipe
Banh Bao (Vietnamese Steamed Pork Buns)
This is absolutely a crowd pleaser of an appetizer. It takes a little bit more work than others but the flavor is out of this world. The filling is what really makes this banh bao recipe. The combination of pork, Chinese sausage, and egg is just amazing. I have no words to describe how much I love this dish and recipe.
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5. Chinese Steamed Fish

Chinese steamed fish on a large plate topped with green onions, cilantro, and ginger and served with soy sauce.
Chinese Steamed Fish
This classic Chinese dish is served on all types of occasions including weddings, regular family dinners, and of course Lunar New Year. It is traditional to serve steamed whole fish to signify a good beginning and end to the year.
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6. Bo Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew)

Bo kho in a bowl served with a French baguette.
Bo Kho (Vietnamese Beef Stew)
This is a non-traditional item that my family always has at celebrations. It's a dish that easily feeds a lot of people. Serve it with a little bit of bread, noodles, or rice, and you're good to go!
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7. Pate Chaud (Banh Pate So)

Banh Pate So Recipe
Pate Chaud (Banh Pate So)
This is also another stellar appetizer that is really easy to make. The filling comes together in 10 minutes. Stuff it in between puff pastry sheets and bake for 20-25 minutes for the most tender, flakiest meat pie.
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8. Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac)

vietnamese shaking beef
Vietnamese Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac)
This easy 30 minute dish is something that's served at celebrations because steak is seen as an expensive ingredient. One of my favorite Vietnamese dishes of all time!
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9. Five Spice Salmon

Baked five spice salmon on a bed of white rice served with mini cucumbers.
Five Spice Salmon
This simple 30 minute salmon recipe is great for big gatherings as well as weeknight dinners.
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10. Salt and Pepper Shrimp

salt and pepper shrimp over white rice
Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Whole shrimp is always served at my new year celebrations. Shrimp represents good fortune as well as a good beginning and end to the year. This salt and pepper shrimp is super easy to make, and a favorite I always come back to any time of the year!
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11. Chinese Sticky Rice

Chinese sticky rice
Chinese Sticky Rice
This yummy sticky rice recipe has all my favorite ingredients – Chinese sausage (lap cheong), green onions, and soy sauce – all in one dish! What makes this recipe extra special is the addition of pandan leaves to add more flavor to the dish! This dish can be eaten either as an appetizer or during the new year feast.
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12. Goi Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Salad)

goi ga
Goi Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Salad)
For something a bit lighter, make this amazing Vietnamese chicken salad or goi ga for an appetizer. Very easy and barely any cooking goes into it. Serve it with my yummy Vietnamese dipping sauce or nuoc cham, and you're good to go!
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13. Garlic Noodles

Chopsticks holding up some noodles.
Garlic Noodles
These simple garlic noodles make the perfect base for any savory dish like salt and pepper shrimp or Vietnamese shaking beef!
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Dessert Recipes

A good feast is never complete without dessert. Below are my favorite dessert recipes to serve for the new year.

14. Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu

Vietnamese coffee tiramisu
Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu
This dessert is a serious favorite in my household. The coffee taste mixed with the condensed milk make this tiramisu taste like you're drinking a cup of Vietnamese coffee. It's also not too sweet which is the ultimate compliment in an Asian household.
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15. Chinese Almond Cookies

Chinese almond cookies
Chinese Almond Cookies
These cookies are served at many Chinese New Year celebrations because they symbolize good luck for the new year.
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16. Black Sesame Rice Krispie Treats

rice krispie treat recipe
Black Sesame Rice Krispie Treats
These rice krispie treats are a personal favorite of mine. I absolutely love how the earthy flavor of the black sesame seeds balance out the sweetness from the marshmallows and rice krispie cereal.
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17. Thai Tea Creme Brulee

Thai tea creme brulee
Thai Tea Creme Brulee
I always see creme brulees as a dessert for celebration. It is also fun watching your guests brulee their own creme brulees.
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18. White Chocolate Matcha Cookies

matcha cookies
White Chocolate Matcha Cookies
These consistently are a reader favorite on the blog, and something I make a lot for get togethers with friends and family. Everyone always loves them, and they're easy to transport as well!
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Did you make any of these dishes?

If you made any of these dishes, I would love to see!

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five spice roasted duck

15+ Lunar New Year Recipes for 2023, Including Five Spice Roasted Duck

Becca Du
Get all my favorite recipes for Lunar New Year 2023 including this super simple recipe for roasted duck marinated in five spice powder and topped with a tea soy sauce glaze.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 hrs
Cook Time 2 hrs
Course Dinner
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 people
Calories 850 kcal

Equipment

  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
 
 

Roasted Duck

  • 1 duck 4-5 pounds
  • 2 tbsp five spice powder
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 yellow onions cut into chunks
  • 3 shallots
  • 15 sprigs thyme

Tea Soy Sauce Glaze

  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp earl grey tea
  • 2 tbsp mirin
  • 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 star anise

Instructions
 

  • Pat dry the duck. Combine five spice powder and salt. Rub the entire duck with the five spice powder mixture. Make sure to rub the seasoning in the cavity of the duck as well.
  • Let the duck marinate in the fridge overnight.
  • The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Next, get out a roasting pan. Add the cut up onions and thyme sprigs to the bottom of the pan. Stuff the shallots into the duck and place it on top. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
  • While the duck is roasting, make the glaze. Combine all the ingredients into a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer until half the liquid remains. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • After 1 1/2 hours, remove the aluminum foil. Brush the glaze over the duck and bake for another 30 minutes uncovered until the center is 165 degrees F. Add a new layer of glaze after 15 minutes.
  • Rest duck for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Rest the duck after roasting for the best results. If you don’t rest the duck before serving, all the juices will flow out once you cut into the duck, and you will get dry meat. Resting allows all the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making for a juicier outcome. This concept actually applies to all meats.
  • Use leftover drippings and aromatics for a quick sauce. I did not include this in the recipe below, but you can use the leftover stuff in the roasting pan for a simple sauce. I whipped up a quick sauce by adding some wine, lemon juice, and a little bit of sugar, and then reducing it until it thickens. It tastes soooo good drizzled over the duck.

Nutrition

Calories: 850kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 26gFat: 76gSaturated Fat: 25gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 2746mgPotassium: 670mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 514IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 8mg
Keyword five spice roasted duck, roasted duck recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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ChineseVietnameseLunar New YearBlack Sesame, Chinese Sausage, Coffee, Fish Sauce, Five Spice Powder, Matcha, Soy Sauce, Thai Tea

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About Me


Hello I'm Becca! I believe any day can be made better with a bowl of noodle soup. Here you will find recipes from my Chinese/Vietnamese heritage and stories from my experience living here in beautiful LA. Grab a drink and stay awhile! Read More

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