Here are 40 of our family’s favorite Asian Holiday Recipes PLUS our tried-and-true celebration menus! We’ve got you covered for every occasion, including those small cozy gatherings, the vibrant summer dinners and a delicious vegetarian spread with Mum’s most loved dishes!
Table of contents
The A-List You Can Trust
I don’t know about you, but our holidays are often spent planning for gifts and family feasts. Trouble is, it’s so easy to get caught up in wrapping and buying presents that often the menu is the last thing on our minds.
…then BAM, we’re suddenly super low on time and running around aimlessly. It’s a last minute rush to buy all the ingredients for a menu we whipped up at the last second.
Don’t get me started if the item is sold out. Eeek!
That’s where these Asian Holiday Recipes and Menus come in to save the day. We did the thinking so you can have one less thing to worry about. After all, holiday season is all about spending more time with your family and friends!
Our carefully curated festive dishes and menus promise to be magical for one reason: they’ve made a star appearance on our banquet table (or on a friend’s) more than once and are ALWAYS a favorite.
So what do you say? Will this year be the one where you relax with our Chinese Herbal Tea and try some of our best Asian Holiday Recipes?
I know we are!
Starters To Whet Your Appetite
Chicken
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (鹽酥雞)
Nothing gets a party more excited than Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken! They’re crispy, bite-sized nibbles that you can just pop straight in your mouth, no cutlery needed. The best part is how they’re lightly dusted with a homemade toasted spice blend that kicks up the flavor – you won’t realize how much is left until it’s all gone!
Canh Ga Chien Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce Chicken Wings)
My all-time favorite party wings are Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings. Our family’s version is unbelievably crunchy (I’m talking HOURS long) and coated in the most amazing sticky, sweet and savory sauce that simply hugs onto the skin like they were made for each other. No word of a lie, they’ll steal the show every time!
Vietnamese Stuffed Chicken Wings
For a bit of extra effort, you can have all the goodness of Vietnamese Fish Sauce but stuffed with seasoned pork. You’ll get no complaints when your guests bite into these phenomenal appetizers and realize THERE’S NO BONE! Complete with a tutorial on how to debone the wings, there’s no reason not to give this one a go.
Pork
Nem Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Skewers)
Ask any Vietnamese child about their memories of what they ate at parties and you’ll be guaranteed to find many who had these Grilled Pork Skewers. I still fondly remember all the aunties gathered around a table skewering these as the uncles grilled them outside!
Ham Sui Gok (Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings 咸水角)
You may think that any yum cha menu item like Fried Glutinous Dumplings can only be eaten in restaurants, but watch as your guests get excited over these homemade ones! There’s something fantastically satisfying about the chewy and crispy wrapping and easy pork mince filling.
Taiwanese Pork Belly Bao (Gua Bao)
For a true party that even the kids will love, you have to try our Taiwanese Pork Belly Baos. They can be prepared ahead of time, then quickly steamed and assembled for a mouthful your guests will never forget. They’ll get crunch and tang along with melt-in-your-mouth pork sandwiched in a soft bun.
Seafood
The recipe for Seafood Rolls was one of the first I ever asked to learn from Dad because it was a banquet item everyone loved. They’re a popular restaurant dish and surprisingly easy to make at home. Pair them with cremy mayonnaise and you’ll have the complete party starter package!
I love indulging in Salted Egg Prawns, especially when they’re freshly made. There’s a creamy savoriness that you can’t get from other ingredients and it’s a sure-fire way to impress your guests. Make them with or without the shell and they’ll still be delicious!
Everybody will love these Sugar Cane Shrimps because you can enjoy the fried shrimp paste, then chew on the sugar cane for its juice! Make them ahead and keep in the freezer to have them ready for a no-fuss banquet.
Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
A classic way to start any Vietnamese feast, Rice Paper Rolls (or Summer Rolls, depending on where you’re from) can be made with your guests. It’s a great way to catch up with family and friends and you’ll also be rewarded with fresh rolls!
Soup
If you love a hint of sour, our Chinese Fish Soup promises delicate flavors along with crunch from vegetables and a mouthwatering tang. It’s great with noodles or on its own to warm up everyone’s body.
Sup Mang Cua (Vietnamese Crab and Asparagus Soup)
Thick, light and full of textured ingredients, there’s no reason not to adore a heartwarming Crab and Asparagus Soup. I always get excited when I rock up at a party and see a huge pot of this sitting on the stove.
Special occasions call for ingredients that are considered delicacies. Fish Maw Soup is often enjoyed at weddings, but we also love serving it at home for a nutritious way to nourish our guests. Topped with some red vinegar and pepper, it’s the perfect combination.
Mains That Bring Everyone To The Table
Chicken
Saliva Chicken (Sichuan Chicken in Chili Oil 口水鸡)
If you and your guests love spice, there’s nothing more satisfying than Sichuan Chicken in Chili Oil. It can be served cold and the sauce can be made in advance for deeper flavors, but this dynamic duo will have everyone’s lips smacking.
Serving chicken whole is a traditional way to enjoy get the most out of it, but when it’s cooked as Four Cup Chicken, the flavors are amplified. It’s spectacularly juicy, simple and a great main for any rice or noodle dish because it’s cooked in the sauce so all the goodness is absorbed into the flesh.
Pork
Thit Kho (Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly and Eggs in Coconut Water)
Traditionally a Lunar New Year dish for Vietnamese families, we love serving Braised Pork Belly and Eggs in Coconut Water anyway because it brings comfort and warmth to every table. The best part is how forgivingly simple it is to make while guaranteeing many satisfied bellies!
Vietnamese Grilled Pork Chops (Sườn Nướng)
That aromatic smokiness you smell from your Vietnamese friend’s backyard is probably from something like these Grilled Pork Chops. Leave them on to char and develop super flavorful burnt bits, then serve slicking with juices. The seasoning is sensational and this dish can be marinated days in advance!
Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens (梅菜扣肉)
Melt-in-your-mouth dishes are the secret to a complete menu. Bring our Steamed Pork Belly with Preserved mustard Greens to the table and watch as your guests ooohh and aaahh in amazement. It’ll continue when they realise just how delicate and flavorful the pork belly is!
Beef
Crispy Rainbow Beef is such a popular restaurant dinner item that it’s a guaranteed winner at your dinner table! It’s perfect as an Asian Holiday Recipe because it needs no marinating and can be sauced up using store-bought bottled condiments!
Brasied Beef Honeycomb Tripe is one of those favorites that tastes better the longer your cook it and the following days. So you can enjoy it during the party and even more AFTER the party is over. The ingredients work so well together, you’d want to have it more than once!
Bò Lúc Lắc (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)
Children and adults alike will adore Vietnamese Shaking Beef. The flavors are simple, the recipe is super easy and the beef can be marianted in advance. All you need to do on the day is to whip out the wok and give it a quick stir fry. What a way to WOW your guests!
Seafood
Braised Abalone with Mushrooms (红烧鲍菇)
Braised Abalone with Mushrooms is an Asian Holiday Recipe because we Cantonese often make this for our family to celebrate special events. Buy the abalone canned or fresh, it’s braised with oyster sauce and shiitake mushrooms full of umami.
Chinese Steamed Fish with Ginger and Shallots
No table is complete without a serving of Chinese-style Steamed Fish with Ginger and Shallots. It’s aromatic, light and incredibly fresh because of its cooking technique. Prepare in advance, then steam just before serving for the best results.
Salads
Vietnamese Mango Salad (Gỏi Xoài)
If you live in Australia where the holidays seasons are usually humid and hot, a refreshing Vietnamese Mango Salad is the perfect way to cool everyone down. It’s no boring old salad, might I say! Topped with fresh prawns, this textured dish is guaranteed to be a star.
Chao Goi Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Salad with Congee)
A super tasty way to cook chicken is to shred it into a Vietnamese Chicken Salad. It’s ideal for anyone just starting in the kitchen but still looking for a dish that will impress any party guest. Drizzle with some classic dipping sauce and you’ll have a salad to remember!
Rice
Hong Kong Style Baked Pork Chop Rice (焗豬扒飯)
While some Asian Holiday Recipes are fresh and aromatic, our Hong Kong Style Baked Pork Chops is for our home cooks who love the warm comfort foods. The pork chops are fried to develop a crust, then baked with tomato sauce and cheese so its juices absorb into the rice.
Dried Scallop and Egg White Fried Rice (瑤柱蛋白炒飯)
Dried scallop and Egg White Fried Rice is my favorite fried rice because it’s simple, humble and still wonderfully tasty. Don’t let your guests be fooled by the simplicity of it – the crispy and popping textures will take it to a whole new level!
Noodles
Crispy Egg Noodles with Seafood (海鲜炒面)
For the festivities, Crispy Egg Noodles with Seafood is the ultimate party food. Everybody will love how the sauce soaks into the crispy noodles along with the seafood variety. With just a bit of effort from pan frying, you’ll have a gorgeous restaurant-quality dish.
E-Fu Noodles are known for being a celebration noodle, but pairing it with Cantonese Roast Duck is a winning combination. Make it with leftover Peking Duck or your favorite roasted meat and all you’ll have to do is plate and garnish with chopped aromatics.
Noodle Soup
Vietnamese Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà)
Vietnamese Chicken Curry is a dish that my family (and extended family) often makes for celebrations. It’s super rich and creamy with fall-off-the-bone chicken that just pairs beautifully with noodles or crusty bread. For an Asian Holiday Recipe, it has been one our friends have asked for again and again!
Banh Canh Cua (Crab Tapioca Noodle Soup)
I love spoiling my family and friends with seafood, and Vietnamese Crab Tapioca Noodle Soup ticks all the boxes. It’s thick and deliciously fragrant from crab juices that you’ll think twice about having it outside of home. Present with a huge claw for maximum appeal!
Before Mum became a vegetarian, this was one of her signature party dishes. I love Asian Holiday Recipes because they include noodle soups, which is so common with Chinese and Vietnamese families. This Satay Beef Noodle Soup is bold, super flavorful and decadently rich. Guests will go for a second bowl!
Vegetarian
Braised Bean Curd with Mushrooms
Whenever we have a family celebration dinner, Mum loves bringing comfort food to the table. Her Braised Bean Curd with Mushrooms is everything a hearty dish should be. Served straight from its ceremic dish, there’s no denying how wholesome this recipe is.
Buddha’s Delight (Lo Han Jai 罗汉斋)
I’ll always remember Grandma’s Buddha’s Delight as a Lunar New Year meal, but it’s just as good as an Asian Holiday Recipe. It has an incredible mushroom and vegetable variety that’s stewed with deep earthy flavors. I simply adore this vegetarian stew!
Bún Bò Huế Chay (Vegetarian Spicy Noodle Soup)
Mum’s Bún Bò Huế Chay will rock your world with the amount of flavor that’s in the broth. Layered with lemongrass, chili and fresh herbs, there’s nothing that will outshine a family pot of Vegetarian Spicy Noodle Soup.
Complete Your Feast With These Desserts
100-Hour Fudgy Matcha Brownies
Alvin Zhou may have inspired me with his 100-Hour Fudgy Brownies, but there’s no denying that baked goods are the ultimate celebration food. Why not give it an Asian flair and indulge your guests with our 100-Hour Fugdy Matcha Brownies? It may sound like a lot of work, but most of it’s just letting it sit in the fridge!
If you’re fond of nutty, rich and toasty flavors, our Black Sesame Dessert Soup is the best way to end a banquet. There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by your loved ones and slurping on a spoon of thick and decadent black sesame paste while chatting about life all through the night.
Don’t leave the yum cha favorites at the restaurants! You can light up everyone’s eyes with homemade Mango Pancakes with fresh mangoes and whipped cream. Serve cold for the best way to end a hearty night of food!
Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls with Ginger Syrup (Chè Trôi Nước)
Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls with Ginger Syrup might take a little bit of extra work, but I guarantee you they are so worth it. Grab your family and friends to help you roll these balls and enjoy the dessert at the end of the day!
Che Dau Trang (Sticky Rice Pudding with Black Eyed Peas)
Aunty Lei brings her famous Sticky Rice Pudding with Black Eyed Peas to almost every party because we all LOVE it. Her secret? Infusing pandan leaf juice into the pudding for a subtle yet deep pandan flavor. Now you can make it for your guests too!
Our Family’s Favorite Festive Menus
As promised, here are the tried-and-true menus that we’ve used when hosting festive events and parties:
- A Chinese Banquet – one that we often have when we have family gatherings!
- A Slurp-licious Dinner – Asian feasts are know for their one pot wonders.
- Vietnamese Wrap & Roll – This is a light, fresh and incredibly satisfying way to feast.
- Mum’s Vegetarian Spread – You haven’t had a vegetarian feast like this before!
Menu 1: A Chinese Banquet
Whenever we have family dinners for special occasions, this is what we usually order:
Appetizers
Mains
- Chinese Steamed Fish with Ginger and Shallots
- Salted Egg Prawns (牛油黃金虾)
- Stir Fried Pea Shoots with Garlic
- Dried Scallop and Egg White Fried Rice (瑤柱蛋白炒飯)
- E-Fu Noodles with Roast Duck
Dessert
- Sago Soup With Taro (西米露)
- Fruit Platter – often with sliced watermelon and orange
Menu 2: A Slurp-licious Dinner
There may not be much on this menu, but it’s the noodle soup that’s the star of the show. The soup is usually made in a huge pot and everyone lines up while it’s boiling with their bowls filled with noodles and herbs.
Appetizer
- Canh Ga Chien Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce Chicken Wings) or
- Vietnamese Stuffed Chicken Wings
- Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (鹽酥雞)
Main
A big pot of any one of these will be enough to satisfy your guests:
- Vietnamese Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà)
- Banh Canh Cua (Crab Tapioca Noodle Soup)
- Bun Mam (Vietnamese Fermented Fish Noodle Soup)
- Vietnamese Pork and Prawn Clear Noodle Soup (Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang)
- Satay Beef Noodle Soup
- Wonton Egg Noodle Soup
Dessert
Menu 3: Vietnamese Wrap & Roll
This is probably the most fun way to celebrate with your family and friends. It’s an Asian Holiday Recipe Menu that’s hands-on and gathers EVERYONE around the dinner table!
Appetizer
Mains
The ingredients for these recipes are typically pre-cooked and all laid out on the table along with fresh herbs and vegetables for each person to wrap as they like. For the rice paper rolls, you’ll find there are plates of rice paper scattered around the table along with hot water in bowls.
- Bo Bia (Rice Paper Rolls with Chinese Sausage and Eggs), Bi Cuon (Shredded Pork Rice Paper Roll) or Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
- Nem Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Pork Skewers)
- Chao Tom (Sugar Cane Shrimp)
Depending on the number of guests you have, you might also like to pair the salad rolls with congee of your choice:
Dessert
- Che Dau Trang (Sticky Rice Pudding with Black Eyed Peas) or
- Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Balls with Ginger Syrup (Chè Trôi Nước)
Menu 4: Mum’s Vegetarian Spread
Don’t think we’ve forgotten about all the vegetarians out there! Mum’s got you covered with her delicious Asian Holiday Recipe menu, similar to our Slurp-licious Dinner:
Appetizer
- Easy Lemongrass Tofu (pan fried extra crispy)
Main
Dessert
- Kem Chuối (Vietnamese Banana and Coconut Ice Cream) or
- Coconut Pandan Waffles (Bánh Kẹp) or
- Black Sesame Soup (芝麻糊)
Enjoy your time with your family and I hope you get to make some of these Asian Holiday Recipes! Happy holidays from the Wok & Kin family to yours!
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