祝大家新年快乐，万事如意
(Wishing You Happiness and Prosperity in the New Year)

Introduction

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important celebration in Chinese culture. At the heart of this joyous occasion is the reunion dinner (年夜饭 – niányèfàn), a feast that brings families together on New Year’s Eve. This meal is more than just food—it’s a tapestry of traditions, symbols, and love that connects generations.

Every dish served during the reunion dinner carries profound meaning and auspicious wishes for the year ahead. From fish symbolizing abundance to long noodles representing longevity, each recipe tells a story passed down through centuries of celebration.

The Cultural Significance of Reunion Dinner

Symbolic Foods and Their Meanings

Food	Symbolic Meaning
Fish (魚 – yú)	Abundance and surplus. The Chinese word for fish sounds like “surplus,” making it essential for prosperity.
Dumplings (饺子)	Wealth and good fortune. Shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, symbolizing prosperity.
Noodles (面条)	Longevity and long life. The longer the noodles, the longer the life. Never cut longevity noodles!
Prawns (虾 – xiā)	Happiness and laughter. In Cantonese, “har” sounds like laughter, bringing joy to the family.
Mushrooms (香菇)	Longevity and resilience. Round mushrooms also represent unity and completeness.
Oranges (橙子)	Wealth and good fortune. The golden color represents gold and prosperity.
Leafy Greens	Growing fortune and prosperity. Long vegetables like bok choy represent longevity.
Chicken (鸡)	Prosperity and family togetherness. Served whole to represent completeness and unity.

Traditional Reunion Dinner Recipes

1. Braised Scallops with Shiitake Mushrooms and Broccoli

好事发财 (Hǎo Shì Fā Cái) – Good Things and Prosperity

Cultural Significance

This elegant dish is a centerpiece at reunion dinners and wedding banquets. The round shape of scallops and mushrooms represents oneness, prosperity, and the blossoming of new beginnings. Scallops (干贝 – gānbèi) also sound like “becoming a noble” in Cantonese, symbolizing career advancement and success.

Ingredients

For the Scallops:
12 large fresh scallops
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and white pepper to taste
For the Vegetables:
12-15 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked
1 large head of broccoli
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch ginger, sliced
For the Sauce:
2 cups mushroom soaking liquid or stock
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp water

Detailed Instructions

1. Soak dried shiitake mushrooms for 2-3 hours. Squeeze dry, reserving liquid. Remove stems.
2. Pat scallops completely dry. Heat oil and butter over high heat. Sear scallops 2 min per side until golden. Set aside.
3. Blanch broccoli in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes until bright green. Shock in ice water. Drain.
4. Sauté garlic and ginger 30 seconds. Add mushrooms, stir-fry 2 minutes. Add liquid, sauces, wine, sugar. Simmer 15-20 minutes.
5. Thicken with cornstarch slurry. Add sesame oil.
6. Arrange broccoli on platter, top with mushrooms and scallops. Pour sauce over. Serve hot.

Chef’s Tips

Add dried scallops to braising liquid for richer umami
Use “dry” scallops for best sear
Prepare mushrooms hours ahead
For vegetarian: omit scallops, add more mushroom varieties

2. Cantonese Steamed Fish

年年有余 (Nián Nián Yǒu Yú) – Abundance Year After Year

Cultural Significance

Fish is THE most essential dish for Chinese New Year. The word for fish (魚 – yú) sounds identical to surplus (余), embodying wishes for prosperity. “Nián Nián Yǒu Yú” means “may you have surplus year after year.” Tradition dictates leaving some fish uneaten to ensure continued abundance. The fish must be served whole—head and tail intact—symbolizing a complete year.

Ingredients

1 whole fresh fish (1.5-2 lbs): sea bass, snapper, or pomfret
3-4 green onions, julienned
2-inch ginger, julienned
3 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil
3 tbsp neutral oil
Cilantro for garnish
White pepper

Instructions

1. Rinse fish, pat dry. Make 3-4 diagonal slashes each side (½-inch deep). Season with salt and white pepper.
2. Place fish on heat-proof plate with ginger slices underneath. Stuff slashes with ginger and green onion.
3. Steam over high heat for 8-12 minutes (depends on thickness). Fish is done when flesh is opaque and flakes easily.
4. While steaming, mix soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil.
5. Remove fish, discard steaming aromatics and liquid. Top with fresh ginger and green onion julienne.
6. Heat neutral oil until smoking. Pour over fish (should sizzle dramatically). Pour soy mixture over. Serve with rice.

Chef’s Tips

Fresh is best: clear eyes, red gills, firm flesh
Timing: 8 min for 1 lb, 10-12 min for 1.5-2 lbs
Hot oil step is essential for aromatics
REMEMBER: Leave some fish uneaten for “surplus”!

3. Longevity Noodles (Yi Mein)

长命百岁 (Cháng Mìng Bǎi Suì) – Long Life of a Hundred Years

Cultural Significance

Longevity noodles (长寿面) symbolize long life. The longer the noodle, the longer your life. You must NEVER cut longevity noodles—breaking them symbolizes cutting short one’s life! The challenge is to eat them whole, requiring skillful slurping. Yi mein noodles are popular as they hold up well in broths.

Ingredients

1 lb yi mein (ee fu) noodles
8 cups chicken/vegetable stock
12-15 prawns, peeled
8-10 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 cup Chinese chives (2-inch lengths)
2 baby bok choy, halved
1 cup Napa cabbage, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch ginger, julienned
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
White pepper
3 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Blanch noodles 2-3 minutes until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water. Toss with sesame oil.
2. Marinate prawns with salt, white pepper, and cornstarch for 10 minutes.
3. Heat wok, add oil. Stir-fry garlic and ginger 20-30 seconds.
4. Add mushrooms, stir-fry 2 minutes. Add prawns, cook until pink. Add bok choy and cabbage, wilt.
5. Pour in stock, bring to boil. Add oyster sauce, soy sauces. Simmer 3-4 minutes.
6. Add noodles, gently toss in broth. Cook 2-3 minutes. Add chives in last minute.
7. Drizzle sesame oil. Serve hot. DO NOT CUT THE NOODLES!

4. Pork & Prawn Dumplings (Jiaozi)

招财进宝 (Zhāo Cái Jìn Bǎo) – Ushering in Wealth and Prosperity

Cultural Significance

Dumplings (饺子) are perhaps the most beloved CNY food. Their shape resembles ancient Chinese gold ingots (元宝), making them powerful symbols of wealth. The more dumplings you eat, the more money you’ll make! Making dumplings together brings families closer. Some families hide a coin in one dumpling—whoever finds it will have especially good fortune.

Ingredients

Filling:
1 lb ground pork
½ lb prawns, chopped
1 cup Napa cabbage, minced and squeezed dry
½ cup shiitake mushrooms, diced
¼ cup chives, chopped
2 tbsp ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp white pepper
1 tsp salt
1 egg white
Wrappers & Sauce:
50-60 dumpling wrappers
Dipping sauce: 3 tbsp soy sauce + 1 tbsp black vinegar + 1 tsp sesame oil + chili oil (optional)

Instructions

1. Salt cabbage, let sit 10 min. Squeeze out all liquid—crucial for non-soggy dumplings.
2. Mix pork and prawns with seasonings in one direction for 2-3 minutes until sticky. Add egg white. Fold in vegetables. Refrigerate 30 min.
3. Place 1 tbsp filling in wrapper center. Moisten edges with water. Fold in half, make 3-4 pleats. Press to seal with no air pockets.
4. BOILING: Add to boiling water. After it boils, add 1 cup cold water. Repeat twice. When floating and translucent, cook 1 more minute.
5. PAN-FRYING: Fry bottoms until golden. Add ⅓ cup water, cover, steam 6-8 minutes. Uncover, crisp bottoms 1-2 minutes.
6. STEAMING: Line steamer with parchment. Steam 12-15 minutes until translucent.

5. Steamed Garlic Prawns

笑口常开 (Xiào Kǒu Cháng Kāi) – May Laughter Fill Your Days

Cultural Significance

Prawns are essential in Cantonese CNY celebrations. In Cantonese, “prawn” (虾 – hā) echoes the sound of laughter (哈哈 – hāhā). This makes prawns perfect for bringing joy and happiness to your household. The more prawns you eat, the more you’ll laugh together! Their red color also symbolizes good fortune.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs large prawns, shell-on with heads if possible
6-8 cloves garlic, minced very fine
2-inch ginger, julienned
3 green onions, 2-inch pieces
2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 tbsp light soy sauce
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp white pepper
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp sesame oil
Cilantro and red chili for garnish

Instructions

1. Cut along back of prawn shells to expose and remove vein. Keep shells on. Pat dry.
2. Marinate prawns with half the garlic, half the ginger, Shaoxing wine, salt, and white pepper for 15-20 minutes.
3. Arrange prawns on heat-proof plate in single layer. Scatter remaining ginger over prawns.
4. Steam over high heat for 6-8 minutes (6 for medium, 7-8 for large) until bright pink-orange and opaque. Don’t oversteam!
5. While steaming, gently cook remaining garlic in oil over medium-low heat 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden (not brown). Add sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar.
6. Remove prawns, drain some liquid. Pour hot garlic oil over prawns (should sizzle). Top with green onions, cilantro, and chili. Serve immediately.

Additional Traditional CNY Dishes

6. Soy Sauce Poached Whole Chicken

家和万事兴 (Jiā Hé Wàn Shì Xīng) – Harmony in the Family Brings Success

A whole chicken represents family unity and prosperity. The word for chicken (鸡 – jī) sounds like “auspicious.” The bird must be served whole with head, tail, and feet intact, symbolizing completeness and the family remaining whole.

Instructions: Clean chicken thoroughly. Combine all liquids, sugar, and aromatics in large pot, boil. Lower chicken breast-down into boiling liquid. Return to boil, then immediately reduce to low. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Turn off heat, let sit covered for 40 minutes. Turn chicken over, let sit 20 more minutes. Remove, drain, serve at room temperature. Drizzle with sesame oil.

7. Buddha’s Delight (Luóhàn Zhāi)

素净平安 (Sù Jìng Píng’ān) – Pure and Peaceful

Traditional vegetarian dish eaten on the first day of Lunar New Year to cleanse body and spirit. Typically contains 18 ingredients representing the 18 Arhats (Buddhist saints). Each ingredient has symbolic meaning.

Instructions: Soak all dried ingredients 30 minutes. Stir-fry garlic and ginger. Add firm vegetables (carrots, bamboo, shiitake) for 3 minutes. Add wood ear, lily buds, tofu skin, fried tofu, water chestnuts for 2 minutes. Add liquids and sauces, simmer 10 minutes. Add soft vegetables (cabbage, snow peas) and glass noodles, cook 3-4 minutes. Drizzle sesame oil. Better the next day!

8. Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls (Tangyuan)

团团圆圆 (Tuán Tuán Yuán Yuán) – Complete Family Reunion

Sweet rice balls served during Lantern Festival and Winter Solstice, also enjoyed during CNY. Their round shape symbolizes wholeness, unity, and family togetherness. The name “tangyuan” sounds like “reunion.”

Instructions: Toast sesame seeds, grind to powder. Mix with sugar and butter, chill 30 min. Roll into ½-inch balls. Mix flour with warm water, knead 5 minutes until smooth. Take walnut-sized dough, make cup shape, fill with sesame ball. Wrap and seal completely, roll smooth. Boil water with ginger, pandan, and sugar for sweet soup. Add tangyuan to boiling soup. When they float (3-4 min), cook 2-3 more minutes. Serve hot in sweet soup.

Planning Your Reunion Dinner

Sample Menu (8-10 people)

1. Cold appetizer
2. Whole Soy Sauce Chicken
3. Cantonese Steamed Fish
4. Braised Scallops with Mushrooms
5. Steamed Garlic Prawns
6. Pork & Prawn Dumplings
7. Longevity Noodles
8. Buddha’s Delight
9. Fresh oranges and tangerines
10. Sweet Tangyuan

Cooking Timeline

Two Days Before:

Shop for fresh ingredients
Soak dried mushrooms and ingredients

One Day Before:

Make and wrap dumplings (freeze)
Prepare tangyuan filling
Marinate chicken
Prepare cold appetizers

Morning Of:

Poach whole chicken
Wash and prep all vegetables
Clean fish
Prep aromatics

3-4 Hours Before:

Braise mushrooms
Make Buddha’s Delight
Prepare tangyuan

1 Hour Before:

Cook dumplings
Steam fish
Steam prawns
Finish scallop dish

Just Before Serving:

Cook longevity noodles
Arrange all dishes

After Main Meal:

Serve fruit
Cook tangyuan hot

Important Dining Traditions

Seating: Eldest sits facing door. Host sits opposite. Children on sides.

Start together: Wait for eldest to pick up chopsticks first.

Fish etiquette: Never flip the fish! Remove bones to access bottom. Leave some uneaten.

Lucky words: Say auspicious phrases: “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (prosperity), “Nian Nian You Yu” (abundance)

Avoid negatives: Don’t say words about death, illness, bad luck. Say “I’m full” not “finished”

Chopstick rules: Never stick upright in rice. Never point at people.

Conclusion

The Chinese New Year reunion dinner is far more than a meal—it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and hope for the future. Each dish carries centuries of cultural wisdom, transforming simple ingredients into powerful symbols of prosperity, longevity, happiness, and unity.

As you prepare these recipes, remember that the true essence of the reunion dinner lies not just in perfect execution, but in the love and care you put into cooking, and the joy of sharing the meal with those who matter most. The laughter around the table, the stories shared between generations, and the warmth of family togetherness—these are the ingredients that make the feast truly special.

May your reunion dinner table overflow with delicious food, may your home be filled with laughter (哈哈!), may your family remain united and harmonious, and may the new year bring you abundance, prosperity, and joy.

恭喜发财！
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Wishing You Prosperity and Happiness!

The Complete Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner Guide

Introduction

The Cultural Significance of Reunion Dinner

Symbolic Foods and Their Meanings

Traditional Reunion Dinner Recipes

1. Braised Scallops with Shiitake Mushrooms and Broccoli

Cultural Significance

Ingredients

Detailed Instructions

Chef’s Tips

2. Cantonese Steamed Fish

Cultural Significance

Ingredients

Instructions

Chef’s Tips

3. Longevity Noodles (Yi Mein)

Cultural Significance

Ingredients

Instructions

4. Pork & Prawn Dumplings (Jiaozi)

Cultural Significance

Ingredients

Instructions

5. Steamed Garlic Prawns

Cultural Significance

Ingredients

Instructions

Additional Traditional CNY Dishes

6. Soy Sauce Poached Whole Chicken

7. Buddha’s Delight (Luóhàn Zhāi)

8. Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls (Tangyuan)

Planning Your Reunion Dinner

Sample Menu (8-10 people)

Cooking Timeline

Important Dining Traditions

Conclusion