Food & Drink Ideas for Chinese New Year Party

Who doesnt love some Chinese food? For Chinese New Year, though, there are some very particular and special things you should eat. If you dont have time to cook these things, then theres always Chinese take-out!

Food

• Steamed Fish - Extremely traditional. Make it with a soy sauce mixture with scallions. It goes great with white rice. Usually Chinese eat a big yellow tail fish, but you can't finish the fish because then there will be no more surplus left (since fish means surplus).
• Fortune Cookies - Not really found in China, but get them for fun anyway.
• Nian gao - This is sticky rice cake that is eaten every new year. It's actually a really difficult recipe, but you can always buy it at the Chinese bakery, too. For kids, eating it symbolizes growth in height; for adults, eating it symbolizes a promotion in the coming year.
• Dumplings - Fried or water dumplings are both great choices for the night. What's fun about dumplings on Chinese New Year is that for a few dumplings, you can add either one red date (symbolizing fertility and new births) or one coin (symbolizing prosperity). Whoever eats a dumpling that has either of those things, well, that's just good luck!

Drinks

Tea is a great choice for your Chinese New Year party. You can serve your guests hot jasmine, chrysanthemum, or green tea. For cool drinks, try going to a Chinese supermarket and finding a classic sweet Chrysanthemum drink or cold Barley tea.

Cocktails
What party is complete without cocktails? Try some asian-inspired cocktails that will please the adults in the party. We have a Red Lotus and Lichitini for you cocktail-lovers.