Chinese New Year is a time for joy and sharing. Families gather to celebrate, eat, and cherish traditions. Food plays a big role during this festive season. Appetizers set the tone for the meal and create excitement.
Appetizers are quick, tasty, and easy to share. They add fun to the celebration and bring everyone together. This list has the 16 Best Chinese New Year Appetizer Recipes. Each recipe is simple, delicious, and perfect for any party.
These recipes combine traditional flavors with modern twists. They are easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Let’s dive in and explore these tasty appetizers!
1. Spring Rolls
Ingredients:
- Rice paper or spring roll wrappers
- Shredded cabbage
- Carrots, julienned
- Bean sprouts
- Soy sauce
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Mix cabbage, carrots, and sprouts in a bowl.
- Add soy sauce for flavor.
- Wrap filling in the rice paper.
- Fry rolls until golden brown.
- Serve with dipping sauce.
2. Dumplings (Jiaozi)
Ingredients:
- Dumpling wrappers
- Ground pork or chicken
- Chopped green onions
- Soy sauce
- Ginger, minced
Instructions:
- Mix meat, onions, soy sauce, and ginger.
- Spoon filling onto dumpling wrappers.
- Fold and seal edges tightly.
- Steam or pan-fry until cooked.
- Enjoy with dipping sauce.
3. Sesame Balls (Jian Dui)
Ingredients:
- Glutinous rice flour
- Red bean paste
- Sesame seeds
- Sugar
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Mix rice flour with water to form dough.
- Wrap dough around red bean paste.
- Roll balls in sesame seeds.
- Deep-fry until golden brown.
- Serve warm and sweet.
4. Scallion Pancakes
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Hot water
- Chopped scallions
- Salt
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Mix flour, water, and salt to form dough.
- Roll out dough and sprinkle with scallions.
- Fold, flatten, and roll again.
- Fry until crispy and golden.
- Cut into wedges and serve.
5. Shrimp Toast
Ingredients:
- Bread slices
- Minced shrimp
- Egg white
- Sesame seeds
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Spread shrimp paste on bread.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Fry until golden and crispy.
- Cut into triangles and serve.
6. Chinese Spare Ribs
Ingredients:
- Pork ribs
- Hoisin sauce
- Soy sauce
- Garlic, minced
- Honey
Instructions:
- Marinate ribs in hoisin, soy, garlic, and honey.
- Bake or grill until tender and sticky.
- Serve hot and juicy.
7. Egg Drop Soup
Ingredients:
- Chicken broth
- Eggs
- Cornstarch
- Green onions
- Soy sauce
Instructions:
- Boil broth and add soy sauce.
- Mix cornstarch with water and add.
- Drizzle beaten eggs while stirring.
- Garnish with green onions.
- Serve warm in bowls.
8. Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients:
- Ground pork or beef
- Breadcrumbs
- Soy sauce
- Pineapple chunks
- Sweet and sour sauce
Instructions:
- Mix meat, breadcrumbs, and soy sauce.
- Shape into balls and bake.
- Simmer in sweet and sour sauce with pineapple.
- Serve with toothpicks.
9. Wontons
Ingredients:
- Wonton wrappers
- Ground pork
- Chopped shrimp
- Garlic, minced
- Soy sauce
Instructions:
- Mix pork, shrimp, garlic, and soy sauce.
- Place filling on wonton wrapper.
- Fold and seal edges.
- Boil or deep-fry until cooked.
- Serve with dipping sauce.
10. Chicken Satay Skewers
Ingredients:
- Chicken strips
- Soy sauce
- Peanut butter
- Coconut milk
- Wooden skewers
Instructions:
- Marinate chicken in soy, peanut butter, and coconut milk.
- Thread chicken onto skewers.
- Grill until cooked through.
- Serve with peanut sauce.
11. Crispy Duck Pancakes
Ingredients:
- Duck breast
- Pancakes
- Hoisin sauce
- Cucumber strips
- Green onions
Instructions:
- Roast duck until crispy.
- Slice thinly.
- Fill pancakes with duck, hoisin, cucumber, and onions.
- Roll and enjoy.
12. Chinese Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients:
- Ground chicken or pork
- Hoisin sauce
- Garlic, minced
- Lettuce leaves
- Chopped peanuts
Instructions:
- Cook meat with garlic and hoisin sauce.
- Spoon mixture into lettuce leaves.
- Top with chopped peanuts.
- Serve as handheld wraps.
13. Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Ingredients:
- Shrimp
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Toss shrimp in cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Fry until crispy.
- Serve hot and seasoned.
14. Hot and Sour Soup
Ingredients:
- Chicken broth
- Tofu
- Mushrooms
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar
Instructions:
- Heat broth and add soy sauce and vinegar.
- Add tofu and mushrooms.
- Simmer until flavors combine.
- Serve in bowls.
15. Chinese Tea Eggs
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Black tea
- Soy sauce
- Star anise
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions:
- Boil eggs and crack shells slightly.
- Simmer eggs in tea, soy sauce, and spices.
- Let steep for deep flavor.
- Peel and serve.
16. Fortune Cookies
Ingredients:
- Egg whites
- Sugar
- Flour
- Vanilla extract
- Fortune paper slips
Instructions:
- Mix egg whites, sugar, flour, and vanilla.
- Spread batter into thin circles and bake.
- Place fortune slip and fold while warm.
- Cool and serve.
Conclusion
These appetizers are perfect for Chinese New Year celebrations. They are easy, flavorful, and bring people together.
Try one or all of these recipes this festive season. Celebrate with delicious food and happy moments!