Chinese New Year Dishes Singapore for CNY 2026

Just in time for Chinese New Year 2026, Singapore’s culinary scene is highlighting the must-try Chinese New Year dishes that bring good fortune and flavor to your reunion table. From long-standing favorites to new festive creations, these dishes capture the spirit of the festival while delighting the palate.

From Dumplings, fish, and sweet treats are among the iconic offerings that symbolize wealth, abundance, and happiness. Curated from top restaurants and eateries across the city, this guide showcases both traditional recipes and modern twists. Here’s everything you need to know to choose Chinese New Year dishes in Singapore that make your 2026 celebrations memorable.

the Secret to Choosing Chinese New Year Dishes in Singapore That Bring Good Fortune in 2026

In This Article

How Chinese New Year dishes bring good fortune and flavor in Singapore for 2026
Why dumplings, fish, and sweet treats are essential for reunion dinners
Must-try dishes at Sarai Fine Thai for 2026:
How to do the Lo Hei: tossing for luck and prosperity

Must-Have Chinese New Year Dishes in Singapore for 2026 Celebrations

The reason Chinese New Year dishes matter so much in Singapore is that they’re more than food. They’re symbols of prosperity and family. A combination of tradition, flavor, and auspicious meaning makes each dish essential for a celebratory reunion dinner. From dumplings that represent wealth to fish that signals abundance, these delicacies carry intention as much as taste. During lunar new year, families gather around the table, sharing a feast that’s both hearty and meaningful. For 2026, knowing which traditional Chinese New Year dishes to include makes your new year celebration feel complete, festive, and full of good fortune. Read on: Chinese New Year Company Dinner Restaurant Venue Singapore 2026

Recommended: Sarai Fine Thai CNY Prosperity Set Menu 2026 - $88++ per pax

Here is your essential list of the must-have dishes from Sarai Fine Thai that will make your 2026 celebration feel complete and full of good fortune.

1. The Wealth Builders: Kiao Nam Chok (Thai Fortune Dumplings)

Dumplings are non-negotiable for CNY as their shape resembles ancient gold ingots. Sarai’s Kiao Nam Chok takes this tradition to a gourmet level. Filled with roast duck, carrots, and water chestnut, these dumplings offer a rich, gamey depth that pork simply cannot match. The water chestnut provides a "crunch of clarity," symbolizing a fresh, sharp start to the year.

2. The Fresh Start: Lab Gai (Chicken Salad in Cucumber Cups)

Balance is key in any festive feast. The Lab Gai is a zesty chicken salad served in elegant cucumber cups. In Chinese culture, green vegetables represent "cleansing" and growth. This dish provides a vibrant, citrusy kick that resets the palate, ensuring you’re ready for the heavier courses to come.

3. The Bond of Family: Neua Satay (Beef Skewers)

Skewered meats represent the "togetherness" of the family unit. Sarai’s Neua Satay features premium beef skewers served with a unique tomato chilli jam. The bright red hue of the jam is the ultimate CNY color, believed to ward off bad luck and bring joy to the household.

4. The Golden Broth: Gra Poh Pla (Fish Maw Broth)

Fish maw is a highly prized "treasure" ingredient in Singapore, symbolizing a smooth year ahead and high social standing. This broth is elevated with handmade crab meat balls and bamboo pith. It is a warm, comforting bowl of "liquid gold" that is essential for nourishing the elders during the reunion.

5. The Surplus Classic: Pla Gao Sam Rod (Three-Flavoured Garoupa)

The phrase Nian Nian You Yu (Abundance every year) comes from the word for fish sounding like the word for "surplus." Sarai serves a whole deep-fried Garoupa, ensuring that your family starts 2026 with more than enough. The three-flavoured sauce adds a modern Thai complexity to this ancient tradition.

6. The Spicy Spark: Gaeng Lueng Poo (Yellow Crab Curry)

Yellow is the color of royalty and Earth in the five elements. This Spicy Southern Yellow Crab Curry with wild betel leaves is a powerhouse of flavor. The crab represents the ability to "grasp" onto opportunities. A perfect metaphor for the ambitious Year of the Horse.

7. The Strength Maker: Neua Pad Krapao (Stir-Fried Beef)

For a year of strength and energy, beef is the protein of choice. These stir-fried beef cubes with garlic and hot basil provide a savory, peppery punch. It is a hearty dish that symbolizes the stamina needed to chase your goals in the new year.

8. The Rainbow of Luck: Khao Kluk Kapi (Shrimp Paste Fried Rice)

This isn't just fried rice; it’s a masterpiece. Served with sweet pork, dragon fruit, mango, and egg, the Khao Kluk Kapi is a "rainbow" on a plate. Each color represents a different blessing, from the red of the dragon fruit (luck) to the yellow of the egg (wealth), making it the most photogenic dish of your 2026 reunion.

9. The Sweet Union: Bua Loy Chom Mung (Flower Dessert Dumplings)

We end the meal with Bua Loy Chom Mung flower-shaped glutinous dumplings filled with peanut and sesame. The round shape and the "sticky" nature of the rice flour symbolize family members sticking together through thick and thin. It is the perfect sweet note to conclude a night of prosperity.

Toss to Success: The Traditional Chinese New Year Thai-Style Yusheng for CNY 2026

In Singapore, the most important part of any Chinese New Year meal is the Prosperity Toss, or Yusheng. This tradition is more than just eating; it is a fun ritual where family and friends stand up and toss ingredients high into the air with their chopsticks. The higher you toss, the more luck and money you are expected to make in the new year!

For 2026, if you want a fresh and exciting version of this dish, Sarai Fine Thai is the place to go. They have created a special Thai-Style Prosperity Yu Sheng that swaps the usual heavy flavors for a light, refreshing twist.

What is inside the Sarai Yu sheng?

Sarai uses high-quality ingredients that each carry a special blessing for the Year of the Horse:

Fresh Smoked Salmon: These silky slices represent "abundance" and having plenty of food and money all year long.
The Fruit Base: Instead of just radish, Sarai Fine Thai uses Green Mango mixed with Red and White Carrots. This makes the dish taste crunchy and zesty.
The Sweet & Savory Mix: The platter is filled with colorful Preserved Melon, Gourd Wax, and Leek strips. It also features Red Sweetened Ginger and White Sour Ginger to give it a perfect balance.
The Crunch: It is topped with Fried Sesame Seeds and special Sarai condiments for a fragrant finish.

Great Value for Families

Whether you are having a small dinner or a big party, Sarai has two sizes available:

2 to 4 people: $38
5 to 6 people: $48

This Yusheng is the perfect way to start your 2026 celebrations with a "Huat Ah!" and a delicious Thai flair.

How to Lo Hei: Tossing for a Great Year

Celebrating Chinese New Year is a special time for Chinese families. In Singapore, the most important meal is the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve. This is the best time of the year to bring the family together to wish for luck and prosperity. The most famous of all festive dishes is the Lo Hei. The word "Hei" means joy, and the ritual is a popular Chinese New Year activity that everyone loves.

The Tradition of the Toss

Whether you do it on the first day of the Lunar New Year or any other day of Chinese New Year, here is how to enjoy this new year delicacy traditionally:

Sharing Wishes: As you add the ingredients to the plate, you say lucky phrases. For example, adding the fish means you want success and good fortune. Adding the oil means you want everything to be smooth and easy.
The Big Toss: This is the best part of the Chinese New Year celebration. Everyone stands up and uses their chopsticks to toss the salad high into the air.
The Meaning: Tossing the food high is a sign of reaching for longevity and health. Chinese families believe that the higher the mess, the better your luck will be!

Doing the Lo Hei is a great way to enjoy Chinese New Year in Singapore. It makes these dishes during Chinese New Year feel even more special and brings everyone together for a happy start to the year.

For an unforgettable reunion dinner, these Chinese New Year dishes in Singapore to include on your CNY 2026 list are a must at Sarai Fine Thai. From the rich Kiao Nam Chok dumplings to the vibrant Thai-style Yu Sheng with raw fish salmon. Every dish combines tradition, flavor, and prosperity. Celebrate Chinese New Year with a feast that delights the palate and honors heritage. Book your table now to secure a spot and make your 2026 celebrations both auspicious and memorable at Sarai Fine Thai.

Book your tables in advance at Sarai Fine Thai
Inquire via concierge at +65 8303 1863
Tanglin Mall 163 Tanglin Road #03-122 Singapore 247933