Nothing says “Happy New Year” like a table full of vibrant, colorful Chinese New Year food! Growing up, my family’s reunion dinners were a feast for the eyes and soul – golden dumplings for wealth, red-braised pork for good fortune, and this gorgeous glutinous rice that’s practically bursting with lucky ingredients. Every bite tells a story during this special season. That’s why I’m sharing our family’s favorite festive dish – packed with symbolic ingredients that bring prosperity and joy to your celebrations. Trust me, once you taste this fragrant rice studded with ruby-red sausages and golden shrimp, you’ll understand why we’ve been making it for generations!
Why You’ll Love This Colorful Chinese New Year Food
This isn’t just any rice dish—it’s a celebration on a plate! Here’s why it’s become my go-to for Lunar New Year feasts (and why you’ll adore it too):
Bursting with Flavor and Tradition
Every ingredient tells a lucky story! The red sausages symbolize joy, golden shrimp bring wealth, and glutinous rice sticks families together—literally! But beyond the symbolism, the magic happens when savory Chinese sausage meets sweet shrimp and earthy mushrooms. My grandma always said, “Good flavors mean good fortune,” and this dish proves it.
Easy to Prepare for Festive Gatherings
Don’t let the fancy look fool you—I’ve streamlined the process so you can enjoy the party instead of slaving in the kitchen. One wok, simple prep, and 25 minutes of hands-off simmering. Pro tip: Make it ahead! The flavors deepen overnight, leaving you free to enjoy firecrackers and red envelopes with your guests.
Ingredients for Colorful Chinese New Year Food
Gathering these ingredients is like collecting little lucky charms for your wok! Here’s what you’ll need to make this vibrant dish that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds:
- 2 cups glutinous rice – rinsed until the water runs clear (trust me, this makes all the difference in texture!)
- 1 lb chicken, diced into bite-sized pieces (thighs work best for flavor, but breast is fine too)
- 1 cup dried shrimp, soaked for 15 minutes to plump up those little umami bombs
- 4 Chinese sausages (lap cheong), sliced on the diagonal – those ruby-red coins are your edible good luck tokens
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced (save that mushroom water for extra flavor!)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – because no Chinese dish is complete without that aromatic punch
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (use light for saltiness, dark for color – I like half and half)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce – our secret flavor booster
- 1 tsp sugar to balance everything out
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil for that perfect stir-fry sizzle
- 2 cups water – just enough to cook the rice without making it mushy
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped (the greener the better for that festive pop of color!)
Equipment You’ll Need
No fancy gadgets required—just the basics every Chinese kitchen thrives on! Here’s what you’ll grab:
- A trusty wok (or deep skillet in a pinch)—the wider the better for that perfect stir-fry toss
- A sharp chef’s knife for quick chopping
- Measuring cups—though I often eyeball the rice like Grandma did
- A sturdy wooden spoon that won’t scratch your wok’s surface
- A tight-fitting lid to lock in all those lucky steam during simmering
That’s it! Now let’s make some magic.
How to Make Colorful Chinese New Year Food
Ready to transform these simple ingredients into a lucky feast? Follow my foolproof steps—honed through years of Lunar New Year cooking disasters (and triumphs!). The secret? Patience with the rice and bold flavors everywhere else.
Preparing the Ingredients
First, let’s set ourselves up for success! Rinse that glutinous rice like you’re panning for gold—keep going until the water runs completely clear. This removes excess starch so your rice won’t turn gummy. Soak it for exactly 30 minutes (set a timer!) while you prep everything else.
Now for the fun part: slice those Chinese sausages on a jaunty diagonal—they’ll look like little lucky coins in the finished dish. Plump up your dried shrimp in warm water (save that liquid—it’s flavor gold!). Dice the chicken into uniform pieces so everything cooks evenly. And don’t forget to reserve that precious mushroom soaking liquid too!
Cooking the Dish
Heat your wok until a drop of water dances across the surface—that’s when you know it’s ready. Add the oil and swirl to coat. Toss in the garlic and stir just until fragrant (about 15 seconds—any longer and it’ll burn!). Now add the chicken, letting it sear before stirring. When it’s halfway cooked, add the sausages, shrimp, and mushrooms.
Here comes the flavor party! Drizzle in the soy sauces and oyster sauce, sprinkle the sugar, and stir everything until glossy. Drain your rice thoroughly (press it against the colander to remove excess water) and add it to the wok, coating each grain with that delicious mixture. Pour in the water plus your reserved shrimp and mushroom liquids—this is where the magic happens!
Cover tightly and reduce heat to low. Set your timer for 20 minutes and resist peeking—that steam is doing important work! When time’s up, fluff gently with a fork to reveal layers of colorful ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
Presentation matters for New Year’s! Transfer to a festive platter and shower with green onions—the more the merrier. For extra luck, arrange sliced cucumbers around the edges (their coin shape symbolizes prosperity). This pairs beautifully with simple steamed fish (for abundance) or tangy pickled vegetables to cut the richness. Leftovers? They taste even better the next day—just reheat with a splash of water to refresh the texture.
Tips for Perfect Colorful Chinese New Year Food
After years of Lunar New Year feasts (and a few kitchen mishaps!), I’ve learned these foolproof tricks for flawless festive rice:
- Rice too sticky? You probably didn’t rinse it enough—next time, keep washing until the water runs crystal clear.
- Too salty? Go easy on the soy sauce—you can always add more at the table. I start with just 1 tablespoon and adjust from there.
- Sausages burning? Add them after the chicken gets some color—their sugar content makes them prone to sticking.
- Want extra color? Toss in diced red bell peppers or carrots during the last 5 minutes of cooking for vibrant good-luck confetti!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
No Chinese sausage? No problem! This dish is as flexible as it is festive. Here’s how to adapt it without losing that lucky charm:
- Vegetarian version: Swap chicken for firm tofu (press it well!) and use vegetarian oyster sauce. The dried shrimp can be replaced with diced chestnuts for that signature crunch.
- Pork lovers: Use char siu (Chinese BBQ pork) instead of chicken—just add it later since it’s already cooked. My uncle swears this makes it extra lucky!
- Gluten-free: Tamari works beautifully instead of soy sauce. Double-check your oyster sauce brand or skip it entirely.
- Extra colorful: Throw in some diced red bell peppers or snap peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking. More color means more prosperity!
The beauty? Every variation still carries the spirit of abundance and togetherness—that’s what really matters.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what’s in each lucky bite (per serving): about 350 calories, 20g protein, and 45g carbs to keep you energized for all those New Year celebrations! Remember—these are estimates since ingredients vary (my Chinese sausages might be fattier than yours). But hey, it’s the Year of Good Fortune, not calorie counting!
FAQs About Colorful Chinese New Year Food
Q1. Can I use regular rice instead of glutinous rice?
Oh, I get this question every year! While regular rice works in a pinch, glutinous rice (despite its name, it’s gluten-free!) gives that signature sticky texture that holds all the lucky ingredients together. If you must substitute, use short-grain rice and reduce the water slightly—just know it won’t have quite the same magical chew.
Q2. My dried shrimp smell very strong—is that normal?
Don’t panic! That intense ocean aroma means they’re packed with umami goodness. Soaking mellows the flavor, but if it’s still too fishy for your taste, you can blanch them for 30 seconds in boiling water first. My grandma would say “The stronger the shrimp, the bigger the fortune!”
Q3. Can I make this dish ahead for my New Year’s party?
Absolutely! In fact, it tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Store cooled rice in an airtight container and reheat with a splash of water to revive the texture. Pro tip: Garnish with fresh green onions right before serving—that pop of color makes all the difference!
Share Your Festive Creation
Now I want to see your lucky masterpiece! Snap a photo of your colorful Chinese New Year spread and share it in the comments—I love seeing how different families put their own spin on this tradition. Did you add extra veggies? Swap ingredients? Tell me all about your celebrations! Wishing you and yours a prosperous new year filled with delicious food and happy memories.
Print
25-Minute Colorful Chinese New Year Food for Abundance
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
A vibrant selection of dishes perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year with family and friends. These recipes bring luck, prosperity, and joy to the table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups glutinous rice
- 1 lb chicken, diced
- 1 cup dried shrimp, soaked
- 4 Chinese sausages, sliced
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups water
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Rinse the glutinous rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak it for 30 minutes, then drain.
- Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Add chicken, shrimp, sausages, and mushrooms. Stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Mix in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the drained rice and stir to coat evenly. Pour in water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, garnish with green onions, and serve hot.
Notes
- Soaking the rice ensures even cooking.
- Adjust soy sauce to taste if you prefer less salt.
- For extra color, add diced carrots or red peppers.
- Prep Time: 40 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-fry, Simmer
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Chinese New Year, festive food, lucky dishes, colorful recipes