Lunar New Year Noodle Traditions: What to Cook and Why

Lunar New Year is the most celebrated festival in the Chinese calendar, and food sits right at the heart of it. Every dish on the table during this time carries meaning — from the whole steamed fish that symbolises abundance, to the round dumplings that represent wealth, to the sticky rice cakes that promise a sweeter year ahead.

But of all the foods associated with Lunar New Year, noodles hold a special place. They've been part of the celebration for centuries, and the symbolism behind them is as rich as the dishes themselves.

Why Noodles Are Central to Lunar New Year

In Chinese culture, long noodles are a symbol of long life and good fortune. The longer the noodle, the better — which is why one of the most important rules at a Lunar New Year table is to never cut your noodles before eating them. Cutting the noodle is said to cut short your luck and longevity for the year ahead.

This belief runs deep across Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and many other Asian cultures that celebrate the Lunar New Year. Whether you're sitting down to a family reunion dinner on New Year's Eve or enjoying a simple bowl the following morning, noodles on the table are considered a good omen; a wish for a long, healthy, and prosperous year.

What to Cook: Three Noodle Dishes Worth Making

Yi Mein (Longevity Noodles)

Yi mein, also known as longevity noodles, are perhaps the most iconic Lunar New Year noodle dish. Traditionally made from wheat flour and eggs, they're served in a simple broth or stir-fried with mushrooms, bok choy, and oyster sauce. The noodles are intentionally long and served uncut, honoring the tradition of wishing long life to everyone at the table.

At home, our Yunion egg noodles make a wonderful substitute for traditional yi mein. Keep the dish simple — a light stir-fry with shiitake mushrooms, ginger, soy sauce, and a drizzle of sesame oil is all you really need. Let the noodle be the star!

Wonton Noodle Soup

A steaming bowl of wonton noodle soup is a Lunar New Year staple in many Cantonese households. The wontons themselves represent gold ingots; the boat-shaped currency used in ancient China, making them a symbol of wealth and prosperity for the new year.

Making wontons from scratch as a family is also one of the loveliest Lunar New Year traditions you can start at home! Gather everyone around the table, set out a batch of Yunion wonton skins, and let everyone take a turn at folding. It's the kind of shared activity that turns a meal into a memory.

Hokkien Noodle Stir-Fry

In many Southeast Asian Chinese communities, a generous Hokkien noodle stir-fry is a fixture of the Lunar New Year feast. Thick, chewy, and deeply satisfying, Hokkien noodles cooked in a hot wok with prawns, pork, egg, and vegetables make a dish that feels celebratory without requiring hours in the kitchen.

For Lunar New Year, go generous with the toppings. Prawns symbolise happiness and good fortune. Eggs represent fertility and new beginnings. Leafy greens like bok choy bring wishes of prosperity. Every ingredient on the plate can carry a little extra meaning if you want it to.

A Few Simple Traditions to Try at Home

If you're celebrating Lunar New Year and want to bring some of these food traditions to your own table, here are a few easy ways to do it:

Serve noodles uncut and encourage everyone to slurp them whole (the longer the better!) Prepare the meal together as a family, especially the folding of dumplings and wontons. Set the table with red! Think placemats, napkins, even a simple red tablecloth. This is good luck! Take a moment before eating to acknowledge what you're grateful for and what you're hoping for in the year ahead.

Food has always been one of the most powerful ways to connect with culture, family, and tradition. Lunar New Year is the perfect time to lean into that.

Celebrate With Yunion

Our full range of fresh noodles, wonton skins, and dumpling skins are available at select supermarkets and Asian grocery stores across Perth. Click here to find your nearest stockist and make this Lunar New Year one to remember.