Lunar New Year hosting checklist: what to prep, buy and serve

Lunar New Year is all about starting the year anew, being organised and prepared. Homes are thoroughly cleaned and pantries are restocked. All that's left is to prepare a menu to honour the celebration. Every dish carries a wish for health, prosperity, unity and joy.

What to plan a few days ahead of Lunar New Year

Dumplings

When the time comes, you don't want to spend hours filling and cooking dumplings. They're of most the labour-intensive foods to make – and, let's be honest, you can never have enough. To get ahead, prep the filling in advance and store it in the fridge. When the time to make your dumplings comes, half the job will be done.

Note: Dumplings can be stored in the freezer for at least 7 days if stored properly.

Pork soup dumplings recipe 

Chicken katsu with cucumber kimchi

This is the perfect make-ahead dish – you can make the katsu ahead of time. If you're making marinated chicken, you can also butterfly and marinate the chicken in soya sauce and mirin a few hours in advance or up to a day before cooking.

Chicken katsu with cucumber kimchi recipe

What to buy vs what to make

To buy

While you're shopping, buy mandarins and oranges and perhaps cooked pork belly to save yourself some time.

Asian-style pork belly recipe

To make

Steamed fish is a must and it's best when you prepare it yourself. It's an easy and quick dish that won't take up too much of your time.

Steamed fish recipe

What to leave for the day

According to Carlos Mendez on party.alibaba.com, all the chopping and prepping should be done in advance. This symbolises or is sometimes linked to “cutting off” luck and is especially true for noodles. It's believed that you should not break, cut or overhandle noodles as they can symbolise long life. Chicken chow mein is the perfect dish for Lunar New Year but should be prepared on the day, as the noodles play an essential role in how your year begins and proceeds.

Chicken chow mein recipe

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