The Year of the Rabbit is just around the corner, with Lunar New Year beginning on January 22nd. One of the largest annual celebrations among East and Southeast Asian cultures, the 15-day holiday marks the beginning of a new year in the lunisolar calendar. It’s a time for families to come together, with traditions rooted in welcoming good fortune and prosperity for the year to come.
And like any holiday that celebrates togetherness, food plays a starring role! Each culture celebrates the occasion differently, with traditional dishes representing everything from longevity to abundance making an appearance at the dinner table.
Ready to whip up the perfect dish to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit? Here are 10 Lunar New Year recipes sure to bring good luck from some of TikTok’s favourite foodies:
Steamed Rabbit Buns | @eatchofood
What better way to kick off the Year of the Rabbit than with these adorable rabbit-shaped steamed buns? Complete with bunny ears and a little tail, these pillowy soft delights are extremely versatile and sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
Steamed Fish | @tiffycooks
Another must-try dish to add to your collection of Lunar New Year Recipes is whole steamed fish. Flavoured with ginger and scallions and finished with a sweet soy sauce, this dish represents abundance and wealth. If you’re trying to see more prosperity in the new year, make sure to add this to your menu!
Deep Fried Sesame Balls | @angelcooksfood
If you’re a dimsum lover, you’ve likely come across (and fallen in love with!) these mouthwatering, golden treats before. Deep fried sesame balls are delightfully crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside, thanks to glutinous rice flour. We love this non-traditional take that incorporates Nutella, but feel free to use your favourite filling of choice.
Vietnamese Braised Pork | @theasiantestkitchen
Thit Kho Trung is a traditional Vietnamese dish consisting of succulent, caramelized pork belly and eggs braised in coconut water. During Tet (Lunar New Year), a bowl of Thit Kho Trung on the dinner table represents family connection and unity.
Neen Goh | @rachel_loaf
In Chinese culture, many of the foods thought to bring good luck for the new year are considered so based on their names. “Neen Goh” or “Nian Gao”, is the name for a sticky rice cake that sounds similar to the words “tall year” in Chinese, so this sweet and addictively chewy new year food is said to represent progress and growth.
Stir-fried Rice Cakes | @smelly.lunchbox
This savoury version of lucky glutinous rice cakes incorporates delicious ingredients like shiitake mushrooms and chinese sausages (lap cheong) for a flavour-packed stir-fry. We love how easy it looks to put together - the perfect family-style dish to share.
Longevity Noodles | @nom_life
Longevity noodles make an appearance at many celebrations in Chinese culture, including birthdays, weddings, and Lunar New Year. Long noodles signify long life, and are never cut by the cook. If you can eat the noodles without breaking them, it’s considered even more auspicious!
Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Balls | @chungeats
For those with a sweet tooth, Tang Yuan, or glutinous rice balls, are an absolute must for the Lunar New Year. With a name that sounds similar to the Chinese phrase meaning “togetherness,” this is another dish that represents family unity, to be enjoyed with loved ones during celebrations. The rice balls are often served in a sweet ginger syrup, and stuffed with different fillings, like this black sesame version.
Rice Cake Soup | @chefchrischo
Tteokguk, or rice cake soup, is a warm and comforting dish often eaten on the first day of Seollal (Lunar New Year) in Korean culture. The savoury broth represents longevity, and marks the growth of another year older. The oval shape of the rice cakes are also said to resemble coins, symbolizing wealth and prosperity in the new year.
5 Ways to Wrap Dumplings | @chefbaobae
And last but not least, no Lunar New Year feast is complete without dumplings! Dumplings also signify wealth and good fortune because of their similar shape to Chinese gold ingots. Here are five different ways to wrap yours, that can be used with any of your favourite fillings.
Get your brand a seat at the dinner table this Lunar New Year!
We’re definitely feeling inspired (and hungry) to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, thanks to these sweet and savoury Lunar New Year recipes. Captivating video content has a way of grabbing our attention, and allows talented foodies to share their unique point of view and traditions through food in a meaningful way.
If you’re a brand looking to partner up with a food blogger or viral TikTok foodie, The Influence Agency can help. With expertise in the hospitality and food influencer community, we can help elevate your digital marketing strategy and connect you with the right audience.
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