13 Lunar New Year Recipes To Welcome the Year of the Snake

Bring on wealth, good health, and all the luck!

About a month later (this year, it falls on January 29) Lunar New Year arrives.

With it comes an abundance of foods that, depending on the culture, bring health and luck.

Overhead view of Korean pork and chives dumplings on a plate.

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

For Koreans like me, it’s the biggest holiday of the year.

The Chinese word for fish is a homophone for the wordsurplus.

The ones I buy are sold in the refrigerated section of Asian markets.

Overhead view of a platter of fried spring rolls with a dipping sauce on the platter and another dipping sauce next to it.

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

They should be thin and square.

I prefer the Twin Marquis brand square Hong Kong-style wonton wrappers.

Shanghai wrappers are thicker."

Whole steamed fish

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

You are what you eat and what you eat is what you reap.

This dish is rich with ingredients we value for their nutritional and medicinal benefits."

Uyen

Thit Kho Trung (Braised Pork Belly and Eggs)

“Low and slow.

Overhead view of a bowl of pork and ginger wontons in chicken soup.

Simply Recipes / Vivian Jao

Thats the only way to braise the pork belly and eggs.

Set the pot over the lowest heat with the lid on.”

Uyen

Mandu (Korean Dumplings)

“Everyones Mandu looks unique and has their own personal touch.

Side view of red bean paste rice cake stacked on a plate.

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

Even if you dont have any experience filling and shaping them, it shouldnt cause you stress!

It gets easier with practice.”

This makes me chuckle!

Steamed rice with sausage, dried shrimp, and mushrooms

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

The rice cakes make it a celebratory meal that symbolizes growing another year older."

The oval shape of the rice cakes symbolizes coins for prosperity.

They are cut from long ropes of rice cakesits length represents long life.

Coconut rice pudding with lotus and sweet potato served in a bowl with a spoon.

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

The white color symbolizes purity and the fresh start of a new year."

Theyre short and stocky, 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide and 2 1/2 to 3 inches high.

Almond cookies symbolize coins and will be sure to bring you good fortune."

Pork belly and eggs braised in sweet coconut water in a bowl.

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

Garrett McCord, Simply Recipes Contributor

Overhead view of a bowl of beef soup with dumplings.

Simply Recipes / Uyen Luu

A table set with a bowl of Dduk guk (Korean rice cake soup) and spoons.

“Tteokguk, always served on Seollal, is full of symbolism. The oval shape of the rice cakes symbolizes coins for prosperity. They are cut from long ropes of rice cakes—its length represents long life. The white color symbolizes purity and the fresh start of a new year.” —Cecilia

Galbi jjim (braised short ribs) in a bowl along with rice.