Ring in Lunar New Year With These Delicious Ideas

Lunar New Year, sometimes called "Chinese New Year" or the "Spring Festival," is celebrated by millions of people around the world—and it doesn’t solely symbolize the start of the Chinese lunar calendar. It’s also a holiday that’s filled with time with family and friends and celebrating with delicious things to eat (hello, dumplings and noodles) that symbolize good luck and good fortune in the year ahead.

On February 17, 2026, we’ll close out the Year of the Snake and kick off the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Zodiac order. Those who fall under the Horse sign (which, in more recent years, includes people born 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 and 2014) are known for natural leadership abilities. They’re also lively and adventurous.

But let’s get back to the holiday. Lunar New Year lasts for 16 days, although the majority of celebrations fall in the first seven days. The holiday is rife with symbolism: The color red is said to ward off the monster Nian, who it’s thought would terrorize villages on Lunar New Year. Therefore, red is the dominant color of decorations (think: paper lanterns, strings of chili peppers) and is also the color of envelopes (Hong Bao) that families and friends exchange filled with good wishes for the year ahead.

Families typically celebrate with a reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve, which features a bevy of symbolic and tasty dishes meant to bring luck. Getting hungry? Here are some of the dishes associated with Lunar New Year, from savory mains to desserts.

Dumplings

Boiled dumplings, a cornerstone Lunar New Year food, are meant to bring wealth and prosperity. Shaped like Chinese ingots (yungbao); the more plump and round they are, the more prosperous one hopes the year ahead will be. Our HexClassic Pork & Chive Dumplings with Black Vinegar Soy Sauce are a nod to the pockets of goodness traditionally served at Chinese New Year feasts. (Pro tip: Our Steamer Basket Set comes in handy for this dish.)

Fish

The Chinese word for “fish” (yu) is similar to the word for “abundance,” so, yep, that’s exactly what fish symbolizes. Classic choices include carp, perch, catfish and sea bass. Serving the fish whole is a tradition, as well, as it’s seen as a nod to seeing things through from beginning to end (in other words, the successful completion of a year). If you’re celebrating with a small group, try our Whole Branzino for Two to ring in the year with abundance.

Shrimp and Shellfish

Not to be left out of the fun, shrimp and other shellfish are seen as good-luck foods. Shrimp symbolize joy and luck, often showing up on seafood trays or as a filling for dumplings. They’re also often stir-fried. (Try these honey-garlic shrimp if you’re feeling a little adventurous.) Mollusks, such as clams (thought to resemble the opening of new opportunities) and oysters (representing luck) are eaten as well. Just be sure to avoid crab and stir-fried squid, which carry more negative connotations.

Noodles

As if we needed an excuse to eat more noodles: For Lunar New Year, they symbolize longevity. "Longevity noodles" can vary by region: In Northern China, thicker wheat-based hand-pulled or knife-cut noodles are the norm, often served in broth, while in southern Chinese provinces like Guangdong and Fujian, you might find vermicelli or egg noodles. 

Desserts

Several sweets hold meaning for Lunar New Year. Nian Gao, or the traditional New Year’s sticky rice cake, is a standby on most tables, symbolizing growth and progress. Fa Gao, also known as fortune cakes, are crackly, fluffy risen flour buns. Legend has it that the more defined the cracks are, the more luck the cakes bring. Other favorite desserts include sesame balls, citrus fruit and eight treasure rice pudding, which features eight types of dried fruit. (Eight is an auspicious number in Chinese culture.)

No matter how you choose to celebrate Lunar New Year, here’s to a festive, prosperous and tasty Year of the Horse.