The Chinese New Year reunion dinner is more than just a meal—it’s a heartfelt celebration of unity, prosperity, and cherished moments with loved ones. This annual tradition brings our family and friends together around a table brimming with symbolic dishes, each carrying wishes for good fortune, happiness, and success in the year ahead.

This Chinese New Year, make your reunion dinner special with dishes that bring joy and togetherness to the table. From the delicate aroma of steamed fish to the rich taste of fried rice, let your festive spread be a celebration of flavours and cherished memories shared with loved ones!

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1. Fish: Enhancing Natural Flavours with AJI-NO-MOTO®

A must-have of reunion dinners, fish dishes symbolise abundance and surplus. The secret to perfecting any fish dish lies in enhancing its natural sweetness while preserving its light and delicate essence.

Marinate the fish with AJI-NO-MOTO® and salt. This simple step boosts the umami flavours and brings out the natural taste of the fish, making the dish irresistibly satisfying. AJI-NO-MOTO® also contains ⅔ lesser sodium than salt, hence creating a healthy CNY dish! Besides, adding some salt helps to firm up the flesh. This is especially useful for delicate fish that can easily fall apart during handling or cooking.

Check out our latest CNY Recipe: Pan-Fried Seabass Stewed with Lala Clams

2. Steamboat Broth: The Heart of Togetherness

Steamboat represents unity as loved ones gather to share a warm and comforting meal. The broth is the soul of this dish, setting the tone for the entire feast.

This is why you should try our Yin Yang Steamboat!

Elevate your steamboat experience with Seri-Aji® Tomyam Paste for a bold and aromatic ‘kaw’ tom yum soup that delivers the perfect balance of spiciness and tanginess. For a rich and indulgent option, create a hearty salted egg broth with TUMIX® Chicken Stock. The result? Creamy, flavourful and savoury broth!

3. Braised Chicken: A Flavorful Dish for Togetherness

Chicken represents family unity and completeness, making it a meaningful addition to your CNY menu. With the right seasoning to make it rich and comforting, this could easily become the showstopper of your reunion dinner!

Add TUMIX® Chicken Stock to your braising liquid for a quick and complete seasoning. The blend of real chicken, garlic, and onion enhances the flavour of your chicken dish, and its powder form dissolves easily so cooking feels like a breeze! Enhance it further with dried chillies and ginger for a hint of spice, just like our Claypot Chicken with Fermented Beancurd recipe.

4. Prawns: A Symbol of Happiness and Laughter

In Cantonese, the word for prawns (“ha”) mimics the sound of laughter, making them a symbol of joy and cheer. Even the natural sweet flavour from prawns brings a smile to our faces!

Elevate your dishes with AJI-SHIO® Flavored Seasoning! Perfect for marinating prawns, cooking, or even as a topping, this seasoning combines the bold, aromatic flavour of high-quality black pepper with the added convenience of balanced seasoning. Enjoy a rich peppery aroma and taste that makes your CNY dish irresistible!

Pro tip: When buying prawns, check their shape. Curved ones are usually fresh. Straight prawns are often stored on ice for extended periods, which may lack texture and flavour of recently caught prawns!

Be sure to follow our hearty CNY recipe, Tiger Prawn Gula Melaka for the perfect dish to wow your fam!

5. Scallops: Treasures of Luxury and Prosperity
   

Known for their coin-like shape, scallops symbolise wealth and treasure. And they certainly taste like it! A luxurious choice for your reunion table, they shine with just the right preparation that brings out their natural seafood-y flavours.

You can level up by serving scallops alongside some crunchy vegetables, just like our Stir-fried Asparagus with Scallops recipe!

Add AJI-NO-MOTO® to the sauce to bring out the scallops’ natural sweetness and umami, enhancing the simple dish without overpowering its flavours. With 2/3 less sodium than salt, it lets you savour the scallops’ pure, delicious taste even more! 

P/s: Look for Hokkaido Scallops –  they are known for their natural sweetness and buttery flavour, and perfect for pan-searing!

6. Fried Rice: A Fragrant Staple for Abundance

Fried rice, a crowd-favourite, symbolises prosperity and abundance when served during Chinese New Year. One of its most charming traits is its versatility. Ask any family for their fried rice recipes, and all of them have their own unique way of preparing this beloved dish!

This year, why not take your CNY menu up a notch with Seafood Seaweed Fried Rice? Kids will love the irresistible seaweed flavor, while the natural sweetness from seafood adds a delicious touch to every bite. With Seri-Aji® Perencah Nasi Goreng Cina you can easily create authentic, restaurant-quality fried rice in minutes!

Pro tip: Use day-old rice for the perfect texture that even Uncle Roger would approve of! Celebrate CNY with a dish that’s rich in flavor, meaningful in tradition, and effortless to cook. Let’s make this year’s fried rice one to remember!

7. Gyoza: Ingots of Prosperity with a Flavorful Twist

Shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, gyozas are a symbol of wealth and prosperity, making them a must-have for CNY celebrations for a lucky year ahead.

Our “AJINOMOTO” Gyoza is here to make your CNY Dinner unforgettable! Available in both chicken and prawn flavours, these gyozas are crafted with fresh ingredients, delivering a perfect balance of juiciness inside and crispiness outside.

Making them is effortless—just pan-fry and steam, and they’re ready to serve! Whether as an appetizer or part of your main spread, “AJINOMOTO” Gyoza is sure to impress! Check out our super easy and delicious recipe that will keep your guests wanting more!

With Ajinomoto, crafting delicious, flavourful dishes for your reunion dinner has never been easier. Explore more recipes and tips at Smart Cooking to make this year’s reunion dinner a memorable celebration of taste and togetherness. Here’s to a prosperous and flavourful Chinese New Year!