Chinese New Year Finger Food Recipes to Impress Your Guests

If you're planning on hosting a Chinese New Year celebration, then you'll want to make sure you have plenty of delicious finger foods on hand. These small bites are perfect for sharing and are an essential part of the Chinese New Year tradition. Not only do they symbolize good fortune, prosperity, and happiness, but they're also a great way to bring people together.

When it comes to Chinese New Year finger foods, there are plenty of options to choose from. Savoury delights and side dishes like dumplings, spring rolls, and fried wontons are always a hit, while main dishes with a festive twist like fried rice with Chinese sausage or sticky soy-glazed chicken wings are sure to impress. And don't forget about dipping sauces and seasonings like sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil to add extra flavour to your dishes.

If you're looking to add some seafood to your Chinese New Year finger food spread, then consider using prawns, scallops, or crab meat. These ingredients can be used to make delicious dumplings, spring rolls, or even fried rice. Just be sure to use fresh seafood and cook it properly to ensure it's safe to eat.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese New Year finger foods are an essential part of the celebration and symbolize good fortune, prosperity, and happiness.
• Popular options include savoury delights and side dishes, main dishes with a festive twist, and dipping sauces and seasonings.
• Seafood can be a great addition to your Chinese New Year finger food spread, with prawns, scallops, and crab meat being popular choices.

Essential Finger Foods for Chinese New Year

If you're looking for some delicious finger foods to serve at your Chinese New Year party, then you're in luck! Here are some essential finger foods that are sure to impress your guests.

Dumplings

Dumplings are a classic Chinese New Year dish that are a must-have at any celebration. These small, bite-sized treats are filled with meat, vegetables, and spices, and can be steamed, boiled, or fried. You can use pork, chicken, beef, or seafood as your filling, and serve them with a variety of dipping sauces.

Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are another popular Chinese New Year finger food. These crispy, golden rolls are filled with a mixture of vegetables, meat, and sometimes seafood, and are perfect for dipping in sweet chilli sauce or plum sauce. You can make them with chicken, pork, shrimp, or a combination of all three.

Dim Sum

Dim sum is a type of Chinese cuisine that is meant to be eaten as small, bite-sized portions. These little dishes are perfect for serving at a Chinese New Year party, as they allow guests to sample a variety of different flavours. You can serve steamed dumplings, fried wontons, or sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves.

Propose the use of seafood in the recipe as a suggestion where applicable. Be specific about the type(s) of seafood that can be used for cooking if you propose seafood to be used.

For seafood lovers, you can add prawns or crab meat to your dumpling filling or spring rolls. You can also make seafood dim sum, such as steamed shrimp dumplings or fried squid balls. Just make sure to use fresh seafood and cook it properly to avoid any food safety issues.

These finger foods are a great way to celebrate Chinese New Year with your friends and family. They are easy to make, delicious, and perfect for sharing. So, go ahead and give them a try!

Savoury Delights and Side Dishes

If you're looking for some delicious finger food options for your Chinese New Year celebration, look no further than these savoury delights and side dishes. They're perfect for sharing with friends and family, and are sure to impress your guests.

Steamed Buns

Steamed buns are a classic Chinese dish that make for a great finger food option. These soft and fluffy buns are usually filled with meat or vegetables, and can be served as a snack or as part of a meal. You can try making them with char siu or mapo tofu for a delicious and flavourful filling. For a seafood twist, you can also try using prawns or scallops as the filling.

Scallion Pancakes

Scallion pancakes are a crispy and savoury Chinese snack that are perfect for any occasion. They're made with a simple dough that's flavoured with scallions and spices, and are pan-fried until golden brown. You can serve them with a dipping sauce or as a side dish to your main course. For a seafood twist, you can also try adding some chopped shrimp or crab to the pancake batter.

Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps are a healthy and delicious finger food option that's perfect for any occasion. They're made with crisp lettuce leaves that are filled with a savoury meat or vegetable filling, and are served with a dipping sauce. You can try making them with chicken wings or dan dan noodles for a tasty and flavourful filling. For a seafood twist, you can also try using chopped shrimp or squid as the filling.

These savoury delights and side dishes are the perfect addition to any Chinese New Year celebration. They're easy to make and are sure to impress your guests. So why not give them a try and add some variety to your menu this year?

Main Dishes with a Festive Twist

If you're looking for some delicious finger foods to serve at your Chinese New Year celebration, you're in luck. Here are some main dishes with a festive twist that are sure to impress your guests.

Noodles & Rice

Long life noodles are a staple for Chinese New Year, as they symbolize long life and good fortune. Chow mein and lo mein are popular noodle dishes that can be easily made at home. For a healthier option, try making zucchini noodles or rice noodles. Chicken fried rice is another classic dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, try making Mei Cai Kou Rou, a traditional dish made with pork belly and preserved mustard greens. For a seafood twist, you can use prawns or squid instead of pork belly.

Poultry & Meat

Orange chicken is a favourite among many, with its sweet and tangy flavour. To make it even more festive, add some red and green peppers for a pop of colour. Beef and broccoli is another classic dish that is always a hit. For a healthier option, try using lean beef or turkey instead of beef.

Cashew chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. For a seafood twist, try using shrimp or scallops instead of chicken. Another option is to make Kung Pao chicken, a spicy dish that is sure to wake up your taste buds.

These main dishes with a festive twist are sure to be a hit at your Chinese New Year celebration. Try making a few of these dishes and watch your guests gobble them up with delight.

Dipping Sauces and Seasonings

Homemade Sauces

One of the best things about Chinese New Year finger foods is the variety of sauces and seasonings that can be paired with them. If you're looking to make your own dipping sauce, you can't go wrong with a classic soy sauce-based sauce. Simply mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced ginger and garlic, and a touch of sesame oil for a delicious and versatile sauce that pairs well with seafood, chicken, and pork.

Another popular homemade sauce is hoisin sauce, which is sweet and savoury with a hint of spice. To make your own hoisin sauce, mix together soy sauce, peanut butter, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and five-spice powder. This sauce goes particularly well with pork and beef.

Spice Mixes

If you're looking to add some extra flavour to your Chinese New Year finger foods, spice mixes are a great way to do it. Five-spice powder is a classic Chinese spice blend that includes cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. It can be used to add flavour to meat dishes, as well as in marinades and sauces.

Sriracha is another popular spice that can be used to add heat to your dishes. Made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt, it's a versatile sauce that can be used as a dipping sauce or added to marinades and stir-fries.

When it comes to seafood, oyster sauce is a popular choice. Made from oysters, soy sauce, sugar, and salt, it has a sweet and savoury flavour that pairs well with seafood dishes. Another option is to use a simple mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced ginger and garlic as a dipping sauce for seafood.

There are plenty of options when it comes to dipping sauces and seasonings for your Chinese New Year finger foods. Experiment with different flavours and ingredients to find the perfect combination for your taste buds. And don't forget to add some seafood to your dishes for an extra special touch – try using prawns or scallops in your recipes for a delicious and elegant appetiser.

Sweet Treats and Desserts

If you're looking for something sweet to serve at your Chinese New Year celebration, you have plenty of options. Here are two delicious desserts to try:

Tang Yuan

Tang yuan is a sweet glutinous rice ball that is often served during Chinese New Year. It's typically filled with sweet sesame paste or red bean paste and served in a sweet soup. To make tang yuan, you'll need glutinous rice flour, water, and your choice of filling.

To make the rice balls, mix the glutinous rice flour with water until it forms a dough. Roll the dough into small balls, then flatten each ball and add a small amount of filling. Fold the dough around the filling and roll it back into a ball shape. Cook the tang yuan in boiling water until they float to the surface, then serve them in a sweet soup made with honey or red sugar.

Pineapple Tart

Pineapple tarts are a popular dessert during Chinese New Year in Singapore and Malaysia. They're made with a buttery pastry crust and a sweet pineapple filling. To make pineapple tarts, you'll need flour, butter, sugar, egg yolks, and canned pineapple.

To make the pastry, mix the flour, butter, and sugar together until it forms a dough. Roll out the dough and cut it into small circles. Fill each circle with a spoonful of pineapple filling, then fold the edges of the pastry over the filling. Brush the tarts with egg yolk and bake them in the oven until they're golden brown.

Seafood can also be used to add a unique twist to these desserts. For example, you can add diced prawns to the pineapple filling or serve tang yuan in a sweet soup made with coconut milk and shrimp. However, if you're looking for more traditional options, stick to the classic recipes. Don't forget to serve your sweet treats in red paper envelopes for an extra dose of luck and prosperity!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some simple finger foods to serve at a Chinese New Year celebration?

Chinese New Year is a time for feasting and socialising, and finger foods are a great way to keep your guests satisfied without having to sit down for a formal meal. Some simple finger foods that you can serve at your Chinese New Year celebration include spring rolls, dumplings, chicken skewers, and prawn crackers. These dishes are easy to make and are sure to be crowd-pleasers.

Can you suggest some easy-to-make Chinese finger foods for a large gathering?

If you're hosting a large gathering for Chinese New Year, it's important to have a variety of finger foods that are easy to make and can feed a crowd. Some easy-to-make Chinese finger foods that are perfect for a large gathering include vegetable spring rolls, steamed buns, crispy wontons, and potstickers. These dishes can be made in advance and reheated, making them perfect for entertaining.

What are the top Chinese appetisers that symbolise good fortune for the New Year?

Chinese culture is rich in symbolism, and many foods are believed to bring good luck and fortune during the New Year. Some top Chinese appetisers that symbolise good fortune for the New Year include spring rolls (which resemble gold bars), dumplings (which resemble gold ingots), and prawn toast (which resembles gold coins). Other dishes that are believed to bring good fortune include fish (which symbolises abundance), noodles (which symbolise longevity), and tangerines (which symbolise luck).

Could you recommend some Chinese New Year desserts that are perfect for nibbling?

Chinese New Year desserts are often sweet, sticky, and symbolic. Some Chinese New Year desserts that are perfect for nibbling include sesame balls (which are filled with sweet red bean paste), almond cookies (which symbolise coins), and pineapple tarts (which symbolise wealth). If you want to include seafood in your dessert, you can try making steamed egg custard with crab meat or shrimp.

What traditional Chinese snacks are typically included in a New Year's spread?

In addition to finger foods and desserts, traditional Chinese snacks are also a must-have for a New Year's spread. Some traditional Chinese snacks that are typically included in a New Year's spread include dried fruits (such as dates and apricots), roasted nuts (such as peanuts and cashews), and rice crackers. These snacks are easy to prepare and can be served in bowls or on platters for guests to help themselves.

What lucky dishes should I include in my Chinese New Year party menu?

If you want to include some lucky dishes in your Chinese New Year party menu, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some lucky dishes that you can include are fish (which symbolises abundance), noodles (which symbolise longevity), and dumplings (which resemble gold ingots). Other lucky dishes that you can include are spring rolls (which resemble gold bars), rice cakes (which symbolise prosperity), and tangerines (which symbolise luck). Remember to include a variety of dishes to satisfy all tastes and preferences.