Rooted in the principles of attracting prosperity and abundance, these recommendations can help restaurants craft the perfect Chinese New Year menu

Chinese New Year celebrates prosperity, abundance, and good luck, which is why auspicious dishes are a must for families and restaurants. From noodles for long life to dumplings for wealthkingbet, these dishes draw in diners who seek to celebrate the tradition—making it a win-win situation for the F&B industry and its customers.

Here’s a list of dishes—and why they’re considered lucky—that restaurant owners can take inspiration from when they curate their special Chinese New Year menu:

Noodles

A symbol of long life and good health, noodles have been a constant in every Chinese New Year spread. Historically, they were considered a luxury item, often reserved for royalty. And it was also believed that eating noodles would bestow the emperor with a long and prosperous life—a tradition that is practiced to this day.

What’s more, it is believed that the longer the noodles, the longer and more prosperous the person’s life will be.

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Serving ideas: Stir-fried noodles with a mix of seafood, meat, and/or vegetables Broth-based noodle soup Fried crunchy noodles with sauce that is poured over A vegetarian or meatless version of longevity noodles can also be prepared by replacing the meat with mushrooms for that added umami. Tofu can also be added in some cases | Photo by Engin Akyurt/Pexels Whole fish

Fish symbolizes abundance and surplus, as the Chinese word for fish (鱼, yú) sounds similar to the word for surplus (余, yú). Common choices for this dish include lapu-lapu, cod, red snapper, and even tilapia.

Just remember not to flip the fish over when serving because it can mean reversing your good fortune, which should not happen during Chinese New Year.

Serving ideas: Steamed whole fish cooked in soy sauce, scallions, and ginger Fried whole fish in a sweet and sour sauce Dumplings

Dumplings represent wealth and prosperity since they are shaped like gold and silver Chinese ingots—a currency used in ancient China. This makes them a popular dish to have in a Chinese New Year menu, with some even including a “lucky” dumpling as a fun gimmick for diners to discover.

andar bahar real cash Serving ideas: Traditional dumplings filled with ground pork and chives Kimchi dumplings Truffle dumplings Vegetarian mushroom and tofu dumplings For a fun twist, restaurants can even include a “lucky dumpling” in the mix for a fun and festive surprise | Photo by Angela Roma/Pexels Tikoy (nian gao)

As the Chinese counterpart of the well-loved Filipino kakanin desserts, glutinous rice cakes—popularly known as tikoy in Hokkien or nian gao in Mandarin—symbolize rising prosperity. This is because the Chinese word nian gao (年糕) is a homonym for a “higher year” or to “grow every year” (年高). It also signifies unity and close familial ties, much like its sticky texture.

Serving ideas: Traditional tikoy dipped in egg and cooked in butter Ube and cheese tikoy lumpia using ube-flavored tikoy and a slice of cheese Tikoy ala mode, served with ice cream Spring rolls

Spring rolls are a staple in every Chinese New Year menu, as they symbolize wealth and prosperity. This is because their golden color and cylindrical shape resembles gold bars—a delicious representation of financial success.

What’s more, spring rolls are associated with the arrival of spring (hence the name) and the fresh start it brings.

Serving ideas: Traditional spring rolls paired with innovative sauces like plum sauce, aioli, or a spicy sriracha mayonnaise Vegetarian spring rolls filled with bean sprouts and vegetables Vietnamese-style fresh rolls filled with seafood, vermicelli noodles, and veggies Spring rolls are generally easy to share and versatile enough that they can be filled with different ingredients | Photo by RDNE Stock project/Pexels Sweet rice balls (tang yuan)

Another sticky dessert that symbolizes family unity and togetherness, sweet rice balls are a popular dessert that has graced many Chinese New Year spreads. Its round shape also represents wholeness and harmony, reflecting the importance of staying connected.

Serving ideas: Traditional sweet rice balls filled with black sesame, peanut, or sweet bean paste Quirky sweet rice balls filled with peanut butter or chocolate Whole roast

What’s a Chinese New Year menu without a showstopping centerpiece? From a traditional roast chicken for good luck to roast pig for strength, or even a peking duck for loyalty, the possibilities are endless. Plus, these three dishes also symbolize one common denominator: prosperity.

Serving ideas: Roast chicken: with a mandarin orange glaze or stuffed with sticky rice, chestnuts, and mushrooms Roast pig: lechon-style or roast pork belly with hoisin sauce Peking duck: traditional with scallions and thin pancakes or with a creative twist as duck sliders Oranges and tangerines

Oranges and tangerines are iconic symbols of good luck and fortune. Because of their round shape, they also represent wholeness and unity. This is why they are commonly displayed, given as gifts, and eaten together in the company of families and loved ones.

Serving ideas: Tanghulu (a Chinese candied treat featuring orange slices dipped in sugar) Mandarin orange mousse Orange chocolate cakes or cupcakes Oranges and tangerines can also be used to elevate other dishes in the Chinese New Year menu as a sauce, glaze, or garnish | Patrycja Jadach/Unsplash Success strategies in curating a Chinese New Year menu

Creating a special Chinese New Year menu can bring in diners who are looking to celebrate the festive holiday together with family and friends. But more than that, it allows restaurants to honor cultural traditions while offering a unique dining experience. 

Complete the Chinese New Year experience by incorporating red and gold decor, hanging lanterns, placing auspicious items, and playing lively music. And to truly welcome the new yearkingbet, lion and dragon dance performances can also be hosted, alongside themed promotions for a memorable and culturally rich experience.