Chinese New Year Appetizer Recipes

Written by
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Rhonda Parkinson
Updated 02/10/21

Food plays a major role in Lunar New Year celebrations. Pearl balls are frequently served at Lunar New Year celebrations. The round meatball signifies reunion, and this is traditionally a time for families to come together. egg rolls (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.

More Lunar New Year Recipes

  • 01 of 06

    Jiaozi Dumplings

    Jiaozi Chinese dumpling

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

    In northern China, families spend the night before Lunar New Year preparing dumplings to enjoy after midnight. Serve Jiaozi dumplings with ​ginger soy dipping sauce

  • 02 of 06

    Spring Rolls

    Spring Rolls with Pork

    yuliang11 / Getty Images

    Spring rolls symbolize wealth as their shape and color ​are thought to resemble a long gold bar. These spring rolls are filled with barbecued pork and vegetables.

  • 03 of 06

    Pearl Balls

    Tangyuan, Glutinous rice ball at food market of Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China
    Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Getty Images

    Pearl balls are frequently served at Lunar New Year celebrations. The round meatball signifies reunion, and this is traditionally a time for families to come together.

  • 04 of 06

    Lettuce Wraps

    Lettuce Wraps

    bhofack2 / Getty Images

    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").

    Continue to 5 of 6 below.
  • 05 of 06

    Potstickers

    Chinese Pork Dumplings Recipe

     The Spruce

    These tasty pan-fried dumplings are perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations. Serve potstickers with soy sauce with ginger, hot chili oil or ​dumpling dipping sauce

  • 06 of 06

    Yuanxiao Dumplings

    Yuanxiao Chinese dumplings recipe

    The Spruce / Nita West

    Traditionally, these dumplings are served on the Lantern Festival marking the final day of the Lunar New Year season.