As the calendar flips to a new year, there’s a noticeable shift in how people want to eat. After weeks of rich, indulgent holiday dishes with heavy sauces, layered desserts, and comfort food on repeat, there is a collective craving for flavors that feel brighter, lighter, and a little more adventurous.

The new year brings curiosity back to the table, along with a willingness to try something different. This is where Lunar New Year offers a unique opportunity for restaurants.

Rooted in tradition yet full of symbolism around renewal and prosperity, it aligns perfectly with the seasonal desire for fresh flavors and thoughtful creativity. Internationally inspired dishes, particularly those drawing from Asian cuisines, often rely on balance, contrast, and bold aromatics rather than heaviness. Ginger, citrus, herbs, fermented elements, and spice-forward sauces deliver satisfaction without feeling overindulgent.

As a personal chef who cooks weekly for clients and teaches cooking classes, I see this shift every January. By blending familiar formats with globally influenced flavors, chefs can create dishes that feel both exciting and approachable, perfect for ringing in the Lunar New Year.

Flavor Mashups

Lunar New Year is all about abundance, shared meals, and meaningful dishes. It’s also a natural time to introduce limited-time features that feel festive and adventurous.

Fusion dishes work particularly well because:

• Familiar formats make bold flavors approachable
• Mashups encourage conversation and connection
• They allow your team to innovate without reinventing the wheel
• They add energy to quieter winter weeks

In my own teaching and client work, these kinds of cross-cultural combinations are often the dishes that create the biggest “wow” moments.

Actionable Ideas

1. Dumplings
In my cooking classes, store-bought wonton wrappers were a staple. We could easily fill them with on-topic ingredients, then steam or fry to go with almost any class theme. We even made crispy-fried strawberry cream cheese dumplings dusted with powdered sugar for a dessert class! Here are some fun filling ideas that riff on global comfort foods:

• Birria Tacos with Contigo® Birria Base Concentrate with a side of consommé for dipping
• Buffalo chicken with scallion crema
• Caribbean jerk pork with a citrus dipping sauce
• Mushroom-barbacoa for a plant-forward option

Dumplings are forgiving, fast, and endlessly customizable which make them perfect for Lunar New Year specials.

2. Bao Buns
I grew up in rural South Carolina, so the first time I encountered bao buns was well after college. But the flavor and texture immediately reminded me of shredded BBQ pork on a soft white sandwich bread. The contrast of soft dough and smoky filling hits every note and can be adapted to any cuisine that features smoke-cooked meats. Here are some flavor combinations I’d love to try:

• Mustard-braised pulled pork with a tangy slaw
• Texas-style brisket with pickled Fresno chiles
• Smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers

Offer these as a duo or trio for a fun, shareable appetizer. Don’t forget to instruct your servers to upsell paired with a cold beer.

3. Noodles
For chefs looking to offer high-impact, low-lift specials, noodles are your best friend. They are basically a blank canvas for any flavor combination. Here are some fun dishes I’ve encountered recently when eating out:

• Birria ramen with fresh lime and jalapenos
• Smoked chicken pho with charred corn and collards
• Pulled pork egg noodles with parmesan, pork and pickled red onions
• Fried chicken udon with chow chow and greens

These bowls can be built quickly during service and scaled easily for specials or weekend features.

4. Egg Rolls: Familiar, Flexible, and Built for Creativity
If there’s one item that consistently bridges the gap between comfort and curiosity, it’s the egg roll. In both my weekly client cooking and hands-on classes, egg rolls are often where people feel most confident experimenting. The format is familiar, the filling can go in countless directions, and everyone loves a crisp, fried appetizer.

Consider ready to fry, bake, or air fry Entice® Egg Rolls that come in different flavor varieties like Steak and Cheese, Pizza, Spinach and Cheese, and Southwest Chicken. Or try these filling and dip ideas that blend global influences:

• Smoked brisket with scallions and hoisin-style glaze
• Cuban-style pork with citrus, garlic, and a spicy dipping sauce
• Cheeseburger egg rolls with pickles and special sauce
• Shrimp and collards with corn and an Old Bay aioli
• Sweet potato and black bean with cumin cilantro sour cream for vegetarian guests

Slice the egg rolls in half for easy sharing starters and always serve with a sauce to encourage dipping!

Make It Easy!

You don’t have to redesign your menu or the kitchen. Start with:

• Limited-time weekend features
• A three-item Lunar New Year mashup flight
• One signature entrée and one small plate
• A noodle or dumpling special that rotates toppings weekly

A few well-designed dishes can anchor a seasonal celebration and bring new energy to your space. Ring in Lunar New Year with dishes that honor the season, spark curiosity, and bring cultures together in delicious new ways. Your menu will feel refreshed, inspired, and ready for the year ahead.