Chinese New Year is never just a date on the calendar… it’s a season bursting with joy, colour, and of course, unforgettable flavours. Whether you’re travelling to celebrate in China, Singapore, or anywhere in the world, Chinese New Year food takes centre.

CNY food is not just something you eat, but it is a symbol of unity, abundance, and all the hopeful wishes families carry into the new lunar year. From steaming hot pots to delicate pineapple tarts, from prosperity salads to sticky cakes, every dish tells a story.

Below, let’s dive into the wonderful world of Chinese New Year dishes, their meanings, and why they continue to be treasured across generations. Expect legends, cultural tidbits, and all the feel-good traditions that make the Chinese New Year and food connection so special.

During the Lunar New Year season, food becomes more than just nourishment; it transforms into a language of blessings. For centuries, families have used China new year food to express hopes for prosperity, happiness, and longevity. This symbolism spills beautifully into celebrations in Singapore, where every table becomes a tapestry of traditional food of Chinese New Year. 

The importance is simple: food brings people together. Sitting around the table for Chinese New Year meals is a sign of unity, and eating specific CNY dishes represents inviting good fortune into one’s life. This is why certain Chinese New Year traditional dish options appear year after year, carrying deep cultural meaning.

Across different regions, the actual typical Chinese New Year food may differ. Northern households may prioritise dumplings, while southern families prefer Chinese New year nian gao. Thus, the symbolism is universal. If you eat something auspicious, you’re absorbing its meaning. A CNY dessert means a sweet year ahead, while a Chinese New Year fish means fullness and surplus. That’s why you’ll often hear people say, “Food is the celebration.” 

In China, it’s common for millions to travel just to make it home for the Chinese New year reunion dinner food. Meanwhile, in Singapore, families gather for an equally meaningful Chinese New Year eve dinner, filling homes with warmth and the aroma of a Chinese New Year feast. 

Not only within the country — Chinese New Year has also become a time for people to fly in from overseas to China or Singapore. Whether it’s to return home or simply to soak in the festive atmosphere they’ve been longing for, the celebrations draw crowds from everywhere.

If you’re planning to celebrate CNY there as well, make sure to book your flight to Singapore or Singapore to Beijing flight early through Traveloka. Tickets sell out quickly, and whatever’s left will definitely come with a hefty price tag!

This reunion with relatives filled with delicacies is known as the Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner. This meal takes place on the eve of the Lunar New Year and is one of the biggest family events of the entire year. 

The Reunion Dinner is where tradition meets nostalgia. It’s not just about eating; it’s about catching up, reconnecting, and sharing blessings. The dishes served are carefully selected to represent the best possible start to the year.

Common dishes for Chinese New Year reunion dinner include:

In Singapore, the table might also feature Chinese New Year hot pot, a bubbling communal dish representing warmth and togetherness, while some families opt for CNY catering buffet sets for convenience — offering everything from pen cai to roasted meats to seafood spreads.

Read More: How to Visit the Great Wall of China from Beijing

Chinese New Year cuisine is rich in symbolism, and during the New Year, that symbolism becomes even more deliciously intentional. Here are some of the most iconic Chinese New Year dishes and the meanings behind them.

1. Fish (Yu) – Abundance

A must-have. A whole Chinese New Year fish represents prosperity and leftover blessings. The tail and head should remain intact to symbolise a complete year, from beginning to end.

2. Dumplings – Wealth

In the northern regions of China, dumplings are the star. The ingot-shaped folds make them a sign of fortune. Eating dumplings is like eating money — in the best possible way.

3. Spring Rolls – Prosperity

Their golden colour is reminiscent of gold bars. No wonder they’re a staple across China, Malaysia, and Singapore.

4. Whole Chicken – Unity and Renewal

A whole chicken represents family completeness and the idea of “renewal”, making it especially meaningful at the start of a new year.

5. Pork or Duck – Abundance and Celebration

Hearty, flavourful, and festive — these meats bring richness to the menu.

6. Hot Pot – Togetherness

Both in China and Singapore, CNY hot pot gatherings are popular. Everyone cooks together, shares ingredients, and enjoys a warming pot of abundance. It’s an entire experience of unity in one simmering bowl.

7. Prosperity Dishes: Lo Hei & Yu Sheng

Move over rice cakes and dumplings. For many in Singapore and Malaysia, the star of the show is the Chinese New Year Lo Hei, also known as Yu Sheng. 

This colourful, crunchy, sweet-and-tangy salad for Chinese New Year is more than just food — it’s a ritual of joy. The act of tossing the salad, known as Lo Hei, symbolises lifting good fortune into the year. Every ingredient has meaning:

While tossing, everyone shouts auspicious phrases. Some are traditional, some cheeky, some downright hilarious  but all meant to invite prosperity.

Restaurants such as TungLok even offer special TungLok CNY menu options featuring luxurious Yu Sheng. Sometimes it contains abalone, salmon, or even vegetarian versions.

Meanwhile, this dish has become such a signature part of modern Chinese New Year cuisine in Singapore that the celebration feels incomplete without hearing the enthusiastic clatter of chopsticks in a Yu Sheng toss.

Festive snacks are a huge part of the celebration. Whether you're visiting friends or hosting guests, trays of CNY snacks are always on standby. It really irresistible, symbolic, and dangerously addictive.

Popular favourites include:

If you’re assembling your own CNY snacks list, these traditional treats should make the cut. Singaporean homes especially take pride in snack spreads — and the “just one more” effect is very real.

Desserts play a special role in the Chinese New Year food tradition. Sweetness welcomes a sweet start to the new year, making dessert not just a treat but a symbolic gesture. Some beloved options include:

1. Nian Gao

Nian gao in Chinese literally means “higher year”. This sticky, chewy cake symbolises progress and promotion in life. In Singapore, it’s often pan-fried with egg for extra flavour and texture. It’s also one of the most recognised Chinese New Year cakes.

2. Tangyuan

These glutinous rice balls float in a warm sweet soup and represent family unity due to their round shape. They’re commonly eaten during the Lantern Festival too.

3. Osmanthus Jelly

Fragrant, light, and refreshing — it symbolises purity and harmony.

4. Red Bean Soup

A comforting dessert believed to invite good health and good luck.

From traditional recipes to modern twists using pandan or matcha, Chinese New Year desserts continue evolving while preserving their symbolic roots.

Read More: Exploring Singapore's Heritage Trails – Uncovering Cultural Gems

While many gravitate toward meats and sweets, fresh greens and fruits hold strong symbolic value too.

Common auspicious offerings include:

In both China and Singapore, gifting fruits and displaying them at home is a simple yet meaningful festive gesture.

Modern celebrations have expanded beyond traditional home-cooked spreads. Restaurants and hotels now offer lavish Chinese New Year menus, reunion buffets, and dining promotions.

Common festive offerings include:

In Singapore, options like CNY halal buffet, halal CNY lunch, or CNY mini buffet make celebrations more inclusive. Some families go all out with CNY catering buffet deliveries so they can enjoy the feast minus the prep work. 

If you're undecided, browsing Chinese New Year menu ideas can help you plan everything from appetisers to desserts.

And here’s another perk: if you’re travelling and staying at hotels in Beijing, China or hotels in China Town, Singapore during the festive season, many properties offer their own CNY buffet spreads. They often offer themed reunion dinners, and limited-time festive menus right in the hotel restaurant.

If you’re planning to make the most of these festive hotel experiences, booking your stay early is key. With Traveloka, you can easily find hotels offering Chinese New Year dining promotions, comfortable rooms near the city’s main attractions, and great-value deals all in one place. Just browse, book, and you’re all set for a deliciously memorable CNY getaway.

One of the most interesting aspects of Chinese New Year cuisine is how diverse it is across regions.

In Northern China:

In Southern China:

In Singapore & Malaysia:

Modern Trends:

Chinese New Year dishes continue evolving while staying grounded in tradition — the perfect blend of old and new.

Every ingredient has a story. If you’ve ever wondered why certain foods appear every year, here’s a peek into their meanings:

This symbolic approach makes cooking feel like an act of blessing. This is why many families rely on Chinese New Year food recipes that have been passed down for decades.

Traditional choices include:

Modern variations include:

A toast during the New Year celebration is both symbolic and joyful.

Cooking is an essential part of how families bond during Chinese New Year. In China, it’s common for multi-generational households to prepare dishes days in advance. Singaporean households do the same, often baking snacks and sweets weeks before the festivities.

You’ll see:

These traditions pass down cherished recipes and ensure that Chinese New Year food tradition lives on from one generation to the next.

Chinese New Year food is more than a festive spread — it’s a celebration of culture, love, blessings, heritage, and hope. And for many travellers, the best way to experience its magic is by heading straight to where the celebrations are at their brightest. 

Whether you're flying into Singapore for its lively streets and Yu Sheng galore, or travelling to China to soak in centuries-old traditions and truly authentic flavours, celebrating CNY abroad brings a whole new layer of richness to the season.

If you're already dreaming of wandering through lantern-lit markets, tasting regional dishes, or enjoying an unforgettable Chinese New Year dinner overseas, good planning makes all the difference.

Traveloka helps you bring everything together in one place — from cheap flights and cheap hotelss near the best spa areas to activities that fit your slow-paced, feel-good itinerary. 

Booking is simple, the options are plenty, and you can even snag deals through “Flights Promo” to make the journey smoother.

And if you’re looking for more ideas for your CNY activities in China or Singapore, make sure to follow Traveloka on Instagram for fresh travel inspiration.

Wherever you are, may your year be filled with good food, good company, and good fortune. Happy feasting and Happy Chinese New Year!