Classic Chinese Recipes For the Lunar New Year
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Today may seem like any old day of rest, but halfway across the world, millions of people are celebrating. According to the lunar calendar, the day marks the official start of the Year of the Monkey — and in most Asian countries, the Lunar New Year is such a big holiday that it's celebrated for not one day, but one entire month. Want in on the festivities? Celebrate with five of our favorite classic Chinese recipes, many of which are thought to bring health, wealth, and prosperity in the coming year.
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Soy-Sesame Cucumber Salad
Five minutes and five ingredients are all that separate you from a light and refreshing cucumber salad.
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Pork Dumplings
Shui jiao, or pork dumplings, are thought to resemble ancient Chinese currency, signifying good fortune. While we can't guarantee they bring more wealth, we can promise they'll bring joy to your palate.
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Steamed Whole Fish
The Southeastern Chinese demand a fragrant whole fish at the New Year table; the common Mandarin phrase nian nian you yu ("may there be surpluses every year") sounds the same as the phrase "may there be fish every year."
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Garlic-Soy Shrimp
The eve of the New Year always involves a dinner at home with family, complete with dishes that come from the land, as well as those that come from the sea, like this garlic-soy shrimp.
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Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This beef and broccoli stir-fry, which transforms beef with only three simple ingredients, epitomizes what Chinese-American cuisine is all about.