{"id":173664,"title":"Complete Guide to Chinese New Year 2026: Traditions and Recipes","modified":"2026-09-19T03:06:55+02:00","plain":"It's almost time for Chinese New Year, and to make sure we're all ready to celebrate it properly, I've put together a guide to what to eat\/prepare during this Lunar New Year. \n\n\n\nThis guide also contains useful information about the festival, customs, and things Chinese people do to say goodbye to the past year and welcome the new one. \n\n\n\nIf you want the suggested menu, head straight to the bottom of the article.\n\n\n\nWhat is Chinese New Year?\n\n\n\nChinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is China's most important festive season : it lasts up to two weeks and is the only time of year when China literally shuts down. \n\n\n\nUnlike New Year in Western countries, Chinese New Year generally falls on a day between January 21 and February 20 in the Gregorian calendar, according to the Chinese lunar calendar.\n\n\n\nWhat is the date of Chinese New Year 2026?\n\n\n\nChinese New Year 2026 will begin on February 17, 2026 and last until March 3, 2026. According to the Chinese zodiac, it is the Year of the Horse.\n\n\n\nChinese New Year celebrations last 16 days, from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. Here are the most important dates in 2026:\n\n\n\n\nChinese New Year's Eve: February 16, 2026\n\n\n\nChinese New Year: February 17, 2026\n\n\n\nThe Lantern Festival: March 3, 2026\n\n\n\n\nIt's a time to spend with family, so food plays a big part in the celebrations. And that's where I come in\n\n\n\nHow do you celebrate Chinese New Year?\n\n\n\nWhile vibrant red lanterns and colorful lights are the main symbols of Chinese New Year for Westerners, Chinese people have several specific rituals and customs to celebrate the arrival of the new lunar year.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Cleaning and decorating the house\n\n\n\nAbout 15 days before the new year begins, the house is thoroughly cleaned to welcome the new year looking its best. After cleaning, each home is decorated with red lanterns and traditional red decorations.\n\n\n\n2. A family meal on New Year's Eve\n\n\n\nOn Lunar New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers for dinner. The feast includes meat, fish, and vegetables. But we'll get to that at the end of the article\n\n\n\n3. Red envelopes\n\n\n\nElders give red envelopes containing money to younger family members. The money is wrapped in red packets to keep evil spirits away from the children.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Firecrackers and fireworks\n\n\n\nIt's common to watch fireworks from midnight to 12:30 a.m. and even later on New Year's Eve. According to legend, fireworks scare away the monster Nian, who is said to emerge at midnight.\n\n\n\n5. Visiting loved ones\n\n\n\nThe first day of the new lunar year is normally spent at home, followed by 15 days spent visiting relatives. People bring each other gifts and give red envelopes to children, as mentioned above\n\n\n\n6. Folk performances and temple fairs\n\n\n\nFolk performances, fairs, and events are held until the 15th day of the first lunar month. This is also when people go to pray at the temple.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChinese New Year 2026 menu\n\n\n\nThe starter: dim sum and dumplings galore\n\n\n\nAs mentioned above, dumplings and making them are a deeply rooted Chinese New Year tradition. I'd suggest a few kinds of dumplings: the first is very simple, with a pork filling, and the second is slightly more complicated but delicious, with a shrimp filling. As a little bonus, traditional fried wontons are simply AMAZING. \n\n\n\nWe're taking things up a notch with siu mai, but they're still very manageable\n\n\n\n\n    Authentiques Gyoza japonais\n    De d\u00e9licieux raviolis japonais traditionnels appel\u00e9s Gyoza. Juteux, croustillants mais en m\u00eame temps doux, leur go\u00fbt saura ravir m\u00eame les palais les plus difficiles\t\n4.81\/5 (491)\n\n\n1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Raviolis Chinois au Porc - Jiaozi\n    Une recette d\u00e9licieuse de jiaozi, ou raviolis chinois au porc et chou\t\n4.97\/5 (27)\n\n\n40 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Raviolis aux crevettes \u00e0 la vapeur (Ha Kao)\n    <p>Traditional Chinese shrimp dumplings that you won't find better in any restaurant<\/p>\t\n4.80\/5 (35)\n\n\n30 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Wonton frits\n    Une d\u00e9licieuse recette de wonton chinois frits. Croustillants, juteux et hyper savorueux: d\u00e9lice garanti\t\n4.75\/5 (28)\n\n\n1 hour hour\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Authentique soupe wonton - \u9984\u9968\u6c64\n    La meilleure recette de soupe wonton que vous go\u00fbterez. D\u00e9lice absolument garanti\t\n4.82\/5 (33)\n\n\n40 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Siu mai (\u70e7\u5356) - bouchons chinois \u00e0 la vapeur\n    L'authentique recette de Siu Mai, bien meilleure que dans n'importe quel resto\t\n4.75\/5 (35)\n\n\n4 hours hours 20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Dim sum perl\u00e9s chinois\n    De d\u00e9licieuses boulettes de porc hyper juteuses recouvertes de riz gluant parfaitement cuit. Ces boulettes sont un vrai petit d\u00e9lice\t\n5\/5 (15)\n\n\n2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\nContrary to popular belief, dim sum doesn't refer to dumplings, but rather to a meal made up of a whole range of small plates from Cantonese cuisine. \n\n\n\nWell, we're not going to limit ourselves to Cantonese cuisine, but you get the idea. Here are two vegetable dishes and a shrimp dish to serve to your guests. Note: you can substitute Chinese cabbage, green cabbage, leeks, green beans, etc... for the vegetables\n\n\n\n\n    Galettes de crevettes chinoises\n    <p>Delicious, juicy little Chinese shrimp pancakes<\/p>\t\n4.84\/5 (36)\n\n\n25 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Choy sum cantonais \u00e0 l'ail\n    Une d\u00e9licieuse recette rapide de choy sum \u00e0 l'ail\t\n5\/5 (41)\n\n\n13 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Kai lan saut\u00e9 \u00e0 l'ail et \u00e0 la sauce hu\u00eetre\n    Une recette rapide et facile de saut\u00e9 de kailan (brocoli chinois ou chou fris\u00e9 chinois) dans une sauce aux hu\u00eetres infus\u00e9e \u00e0 l'ail\t\n4.85\/5 (13)\n\n\n15 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\nA little Japanese bonus: these rolls made with noodles and rice paper\n\n\n\n\n    Spicy ramen rolls\n    <p>Spicy, cheesy, and delicious Japanese rolls<\/p>\t\n4.78\/5 (18)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\nThe main course: Noodles, rice, beef, pork, chicken, and maybe....duck?\n\n\n\nIn Chinese tradition, there shouldn't be just one main dish + a side. No, no, you might have one centerpiece dish, but you need lots of small side dishes too\n\n\n\nThe \"centerpiece\" dishes\n\n\n\nThey're big, impressive, and above all, incredibly flavorful. I suggest Hong Shao Rou (Chinese caramel pork), homemade lacquered duck (less difficult than it looks), or slow-cooked satay beef. Apart from the duck, which by definition is limited to a single duck, these dishes are easy to make in very large quantities and ahead of time. \n\n\n\n\n    B\u0153uf au sat\u00e9\n    Une recette d\u00e9licieuse de b\u0153uf au sat\u00e9 tr\u00e8s simple \u00e0 r\u00e9aliser. Pr\u00e9parez une sauce sat\u00e9 maison, puis faites mijoter le b\u0153uf avec des oignons, tomates et \u00e9pices pour un plat savoureux \u00e0 servir avec du riz.\t\n4.82\/5 (61)\n\n\n1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Porc rouge\n    <p>Delicious slow-cooked Chinese caramel pork, guaranteed to be melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful<\/p>\t\n4.82\/5 (70)\n\n\n2 hours hours\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Canard laqu\u00e9 avec cr\u00eapes chinoises 100% maison\n    Une recette authentique de canard laqu\u00e9 \u00e0 r\u00e9aliser facilement chez soi. Cette recette vous guide \u00e9tape par \u00e9tape pour pr\u00e9parer le canard, les cr\u00eapes, le sirop et assembler le tout comme au restaurant.\t\n4.77\/5 (17)\n\n\n1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\nThe side dishes\n\n\n\nHere you'll find classic fried rice, Cantonese fried rice, or even... white rice. But also chow mein, traditional Chinese stir-fried noodles, vegetable noodles, beef with onions or spring onions, caramel pork or chicken, and stir-fried chicken. In short, there's no shortage of options! Ideally, make 3-4 of them in small quantities\n\n\n\nThe list starts with rice\/noodles and then moves on to proteins\n\n\n\n\n    Authentiques Nouilles de Long\u00e9vit\u00e9 - Yi Mein\n    D\u00e9couvrez une d\u00e9licieuse recette de nouilles de long\u00e9vit\u00e9, un plat de nouilles simple, rapide et ultra savoureux\t\n4.81\/5 (31)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Authentique Riz Cantonais\n    Une d\u00e9licieuse recette de riz cantonais comme au restaurant\t\n4.77\/5 (94)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Riz frit : \u00e9dition orgasme gustatif\n    La meilleure recette de riz frit d'internet. Orgasme gustatif garanti mais attention, risque d'addiction \u00e9lev\u00e9 !\t\n4.79\/5 (334)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Chow mein (nouilles saut\u00e9es chinoises)\n    Une d\u00e9licieuse recette de chow mein, les traditionnelles nouilles saut\u00e9es chinoises\t\n4.98\/5 (537)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Nouilles saut\u00e9es aux l\u00e9gumes comme au restaurant\n    Une d\u00e9licieuse recette de nouilles saut\u00e9es aux l\u00e9gumes comme au restaurant\t\n4.83\/5 (242)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\nProteins\n\n\n\n\n    B\u0153uf aux oignons chinois\n    L'authentique recette du b\u0153uf aux oignons chinois. Un plat simple, rapide et d\u00e9licieux\t\n4.81\/5 (211)\n\n\n25 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    B\u0153uf aux jeunes oignons\n    <p>Stir-fried beef with spring onions. Quick and easy!<\/p>\t\n4.79\/5 (28)\n\n\n30 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Porc au caramel simple et rapide\n    Une recette ultra simplifi\u00e9e de porc au caramel pr\u00eate en moins de 15 minutes\t\n4.80\/5 (303)\n\n\n25 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Poulet au caramel\n    <p>A caramel chicken recipe you can make in under 20 minutes<\/p>\t\n4.75\/5 (248)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Saut\u00e9 de poulet chinois\n    Une recette simple et authentique de saut\u00e9 de poulet comme au restaurant chinois\t\n4.95\/5 (17)\n\n\n30 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Saut\u00e9 de poulet aux champignons\n    <p>A delicious chicken stir-fry with Chinese mushrooms<\/p>\t\n4.82\/5 (49)\n\n\n20 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\nDesserts\n\n\n\nA very controversial topic because, generally speaking, we're not that big on desserts in China BUT they do exist, and here are a few recipe suggestions\n\n\n\n\n    Tangyuan au s\u00e9same noir\n    Une recette d\u00e9licieuse de tangyuan, un traditionnel dessert chinois\t\n4.94\/5 (47)\n\n\n55 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Tanghulu\n    <p>Traditional Chinese sugar-coated strawberries<\/p>\t\n4.86\/5 (28)\n\n\n15 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !\n\n\n\n\n\n\n    Banh Cam: Sesame Balls\n    <p>A Vietnamese dessert found throughout Asia, it's a delight<\/p>\t\n5\/5 (46)\n\n\n3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes\n\n    \n\n\n    D\u00e9couvre vite la recette compl\u00e8te !","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173664"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173664\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marcwiner.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}