8 Symbolic Chinese Dishes To Make For Chinese New Year Celebrations Away From Home In UAE

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has officially begun. This year has been called the ‘Year of the Fire Horse’. Celebrated by millions, not just in China but across the world by the Chinese community, it’s truly one of the most vibrant times of the year. And if you happen to be a Chinese expatriate living in the UAE, chances are you are probably planning to host your friends for a symbolic feast. So, to help you out, we have listed a few dishes that you can prepare for a stellar Chinese New Year feast

Symbolic Chinese New Year Dishes

1. Chinese Steamed Whole Fish

Chinese steamed whole fish is something that you absolutely cannot miss. ‘Yu,’ which is the Mandarin word for fish, is also a homonym for the Chinese term for abundance. And your New Year’s feast will be rather incomplete without a whole fish steamed to perfection with delicious spices and aromatic herbs.

2. Stir-Fried Chow Mein With Four Vegetables

Another meal that you cannot miss out on is stir-fried vegetable chow mein. These thin noodles have a sheen of caramelised soy sauce. The charred flavour from tossing in the wok is enriched by the bean sprouts, carrots, tofu, and scallions. Adding a delicious layer of flavours and textures. The best bit? Once you have made all the preparations for the dish, it comes together in just 10 minutes.

3. Lunar New Year Dumplings

New Year celebrations are rather incomplete without dumplings, which can be made in a variety of ways. The fillings could range from chicken to pork and is served with home-made dipping sauce. The juicy dumplings are stuffed with meat that is enriched with a fragrant and flavourful blend of ginger, scallions, and garlic. Encouraging longevity and wealth, these steamed dumplings can be made at home and will be the star of your meal.

4. Hand-Pulled Lamian Noodles

Hand-pulled noodles require practice, and making them at home is not for the faint of heart. However, during special celebrations, making such noodles is a common occurrence. And if you also wish to treat your family to noodles that have been carefully prepared at home, then make sure to prepare them in advance. After all, doing everything on the same day could be quite tiring.

5. Sweet Glutinous Rice Cakes

A sticky cake, also called Nian Gao, these are basically New Year cakes. Made from glutinous rice flour, the cake is made either sweet or savoury. It can be eaten all year-round, but it’s generally enjoyed during the New Year. After all, the name sounds almost the same as ‘higher year,’ symbolising a higher position or becoming more successful in the New Year

6. Whole Chicken

Another famous dish to make during the New Year is a whole chicken. The word means ‘good luck’ or ‘prosperity,’ and it is often incorporated into the feast. The whole chicken can either be braised or roasted, and it’s the perfect centrepiece for your celebration.

7. Lion’s Head Meatballs

These are delicious, tender and juicy homemade pork meatballs. A popular dish, especially in Dhanghai during the Chinese New Year, it’s served with vegetables. Thereafter, it is tossed in a sweet and sticky sauce. But the reason behind the name of the dish is the fact that it resembles a lion’s head. After all, in Chinese culture, lion represents strength.

Also Read: 18 Best Chinese New Year Dining Deals In Dubai That Offer Unbeatable Flavours 

8. Spring Rolls

Spring rolls have been named after the Spring Festival. And also because they are generally prepared during this time. The fillings often vary from region to region, but usually they contain a combination of meat and vegetables, which is wrapped in a thin wrapper. A great addition to your table, you absolutely cannot miss out on this dish during the New Year feast.

So, we have enlisted all the dishes that you might want to keep in mind for the New Year celebration, and we are sure your guests will be impressed.

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