Lucky Chinese New Year Feast Guide | Generated by AI

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Question: Provide a comprehensive guide to a Spring Festival Eve (Chinese New Year reunion dinner) menu, including dishes and recipes.

Answer:

Spring Festival Eve (除夕 / Chuxi), also known as Chinese New Year reunion dinner, is the most important family meal of the year. Held on the evening before Lunar New Year (February 16, 2026, for the Year of the Horse), it emphasizes family reunion, abundance, and symbolic foods that bring good luck, wealth, longevity, and prosperity.

A typical menu features 8–12 dishes (even numbers are lucky), including a mix of proteins, seafood, vegetables, noodles/dumplings, and dessert. Key principles:

This menu combines classic northern and southern Chinese traditions with symbolic meaning.

  1. Whole Steamed Fish (清蒸鱼) — Prosperity and surplus (鱼 = “abundance”)
  2. Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi) (饺子) — Wealth (shape resembles ancient gold ingots)
  3. Longevity Noodles (长寿面) — Long life
  4. Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou) (红烧肉) — Red color for luck, richness
  5. Stir-Fried Vegetables / Prosperity Vegetable Dish (e.g., lettuce or choy sum) — Green for growth and health
  6. Braised Mushrooms with Bamboo Shoots and Black Fungus — Abundance and longevity
  7. Chicken Dish (e.g., White Cut Chicken or Braised Chicken) — Wholeness and family unity
  8. Spring Rolls (春卷) — Wealth (shape like gold bars)
  9. Glutinous Rice Cake (Nian Gao) (年糕) — Higher position/yearly progress
  10. Sweet Rice Balls (Tangyuan) (汤圆) — Family togetherness and sweetness

Optional additions: Peking duck slices, shrimp, abalone, or lion’s head meatballs for extra luxury.

Detailed Recipes for Core Dishes

1. Whole Steamed Fish (Cantonese-style)

Symbolism: Leave head and tail on; “fish every year” (年年有余). Ingredients (1 whole fish ~1.5–2 kg):

Steps:

  1. Pat fish dry, make 2–3 diagonal cuts on each side, rub with Shaoxing wine and salt.
  2. Stuff ginger slices inside and place on steaming plate with more ginger underneath.
  3. Steam over high heat for 10–12 minutes (depending on size) until just cooked.
  4. Remove, discard steaming liquid if bitter, top with green onions and cilantro.
  5. Heat 2–3 tbsp oil until smoking, pour over scallions to release aroma.
  6. Drizzle with light soy sauce mixed with a little sugar. Serve immediately.

2. Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi)

Symbolism: Wealth and good wishes (some families hide a coin in one for luck). Ingredients (makes ~60–80):

Steps:

  1. Mix filling ingredients thoroughly; let rest 20 min.
  2. Place 1 tbsp filling in center of wrapper, wet edges, fold into half-moon, pleat to seal.
  3. Boil in batches: add to boiling water, stir, add cold water when floating, repeat twice, then drain.
  4. Serve with black vinegar + soy sauce + chili oil dipping sauce.

3. Longevity Noodles (e.g., Yi Mein or simple egg noodles)

Symbolism: Uncut long strands for long life. Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Stir-fry chicken and mushrooms with ginger/garlic.
  2. Add broth and seasonings, simmer.
  3. Cook noodles separately (do not break), drain, add to sauce.
  4. Toss gently and serve hot.

4. Hong Shao Rou (Red-Braised Pork Belly)

Symbolism: Red for luck, fatty richness for prosperity. Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Blanch pork in boiling water 5 min, drain.
  2. Caramelize sugar in wok until amber, add pork to coat.
  3. Add seasonings, water to cover, simmer 1.5–2 hours until tender and sauce thickens.

5. Tangyuan (Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls)

Symbolism: Family unity and sweet life. Ingredients:

Steps:

  1. Mix flour with warm water to form dough.
  2. Wrap small balls of filling inside.
  3. Boil in water until floating, then simmer 2–3 min.
  4. Serve in sweet ginger soup.

Preparation Tips

This menu brings balance, symbolism, and delicious flavors to your reunion dinner. Wishing you a prosperous Year of the Horse!

References:

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