Chinese New Year is a time for gathering, celebration, and sharing a meal that symbolises prosperity, unity, and joy.
The reunion dinner, held on the eve of the New Year, is especially significant as family and friends come together to enjoy dishes that represent good fortune for the year ahead.
Here’s a list of 10 perfect dishes that will elevate your CNY reunion dinner, each offering unique flavours, textures, and auspicious meanings.
1. Lobster Crispy Rice Soup
Kickstart your feast with an impressive Lobster Crispy Rice Soup.
The luxurious lobster imparts a rich, savoury flavour, while the crispy rice, added just before serving, creates an exciting sizzle and crunch.
This dish represents abundance and is an ideal opener to a prosperous year ahead.
2. Lobster Ee Fu Noodles
Lobster Ee Fu Noodles are another exceptional choice, combining the prestige of lobster with the symbolic longevity of noodles.
Ee Fu noodles are known for their silky, slightly chewy texture, which pairs beautifully with the tender, sweet lobster meat.
This dish is especially meaningful as it signifies a wish for long life and continued success.
3. Braised Abalone, Mushroom & Sea Cucumber with Vegetables
For a decadent and nourishing dish, try the Braised Abalone, Mushroom, and Sea Cucumber with Vegetables.
Abalone is a luxurious seafood often associated with wealth, while mushrooms and sea cucumber are symbols of health and resilience.
This braised dish is a comforting option that embodies both prosperity and good fortune for the new year.
4. Crispy Roast Chicken
A reunion dinner is incomplete without Crispy Roast Chicken.
With its golden, crispy skin and tender meat, this dish is a favourite that represents family unity and joy.
Chicken is a symbol of togetherness, making it a must-have to celebrate the bonds of family and friends.
Serve it with a side of dipping sauce for added flavour and fun.
5. Deep-Fried Sea Bass with Soya Sauce or Sweet and Sour Sauce
Fish is a traditional New Year dish, as the word for fish, “yu,” sounds like “surplus” in Chinese, symbolising abundance.
Deep-Fried Sea Bass with your choice of soya sauce or sweet and sour sauce makes a beautiful centrepiece.
The crispy skin and succulent fish bring together texture and taste, and serving it whole signifies unity and wholeness.
6. Sweet and Sour Sliced Fish
For an alternative to whole fish, try Sweet and Sour Sliced Fish.
The dish is prepared with delicate slices of fish fillet coated in a light batter and then tossed in a vibrant sweet and sour sauce.
It’s a festive addition to the table, adding both flavour and colour, and symbolises the hope for abundance in the year to come.
7. Double-Boiled Abalone with Shark Cartilage
Double-Boiled Abalone with Shark Cartilage is a dish that takes centre stage with its deeply nourishing qualities.
The abalone, cooked to tender perfection, represents wealth, while the shark cartilage is believed to promote health and well-being.
Double-boiling retains the ingredients’ natural goodness, making this dish both nutritious and rich in flavour.
8. Chee Cheong Fun with Prawns & Chives
For a light yet flavourful dish, serve Chee Cheong Fun with Prawns & Chives.
The silky rice noodle rolls are filled with fresh prawns and aromatic chives, making each bite delicate and refreshing.
Prawns are often associated with happiness and laughter, making this dish a delightful choice to bring joy to the meal.
9. JU 6-Mushroom Vegetarian Pau
Add a vegetarian option to your table with the JU 6-Mushroom Vegetarian Pau.
This steamed bun is packed with a flavourful mix of six different mushrooms, offering an earthy and satisfying taste.
Mushrooms are considered symbols of longevity, and a vegetarian dish like this brings balance and harmony to the feast.
10. Salted Egg Fish Skin
For an addictive, crunchy treat, Salted Egg Fish Skin is perfect as a snack between courses or as a finishing touch to the meal.
The salted egg coating gives the fish skin an irresistible, savoury flavour, while fish skin itself represents resilience and abundance.
This popular snack is sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
With these 10 perfect dishes, your Chinese New Year reunion dinner will be an unforgettable feast that brings family and friends together.
From lobster and abalone to salted egg fish skin, each dish offers something unique and meaningful, ensuring a celebration filled with flavour, tradition, and prosperity.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to treat your family and friends to a truly memorable Chinese New Year feast, these 10 exquisite dishes offer a variety of flavours, textures, and symbolic meanings to make the occasion special.
And the best part?
You can enjoy all the dishes mentioned above at JU Signatures, where every dish is thoughtfully prepared to elevate your reunion dinner experience.
Visit JU Signatures to celebrate the New Year in style with our exceptional CNY menu—bringing tradition, taste, and togetherness to your festive table.
