Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a vibrant and important festival celebrated by Asian communities around the world. It’s a Spring Festival, celebrated on the first new moon of the year, which this year falls on 29th January and kicks off 15 days of celebrations!
Lunar new year is a time of celebration, family reunions, and, of course, feasting. The biggest feast in the celebrations takes place on Lunar New Years Eve.
Menus are carefully chosen and the foods served are full of symbolism – representing good luck, hope and prosperity for the year ahead. This includes fish (the Chinese word for it also sounds like “surplus”), puddings (symbolising advancement) and foods that look like gold ingots (such as dumplings).
One ingredient that often pops up on Lunar New Year menus is of course, mushrooms! Not only are mushrooms widely eaten in Asian cultures, they also represent luck and prosperity.
Mushroom dishes across Asia
Mushrooms aren’t just a Lunar New Year favorite in China. Across Asia, they play a starring role in both festive dishes and everyday cuisine. Exotic mushrooms in particular are commonplace in Asian cuisine, and are valued for their unique flavour profiles and health benefits. They’re added to dishes in different ways – fresh, dried or even powdered. Some of the most common varieties are:
Shiitake mushrooms – Popular in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine, these mushrooms are known to support immune function and heart health. In dishes like Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), they add a burst of umami.
Enoki mushrooms – Delicate and crunchy, enoki mushrooms are packed with fiber and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
King Oyster mushrooms – These meaty mushrooms are great for grilling or stir-frying and are known to promote gut health and lower cholesterol.
Wood Ear mushrooms (Black Fungus) – Frequently used in Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, wood ear mushrooms help improve blood circulation and detoxify the body.
Straw mushrooms – Common in Thai and Chinese cuisine, straw mushrooms are rich in protein and vitamins, supporting muscle health and immunity.
Matsutake mushrooms – Matsutake mushrooms are considered a delicacy and are often used in soups or steamed rice dishes for special occasions. matsutake has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Golden Needle mushrooms (Dried Lily Flowers) – Used in Chinese soups and stir-fries, they are rich in iron and fiber, helping with digestion and circulation
Oyster Mushrooms – These mild, delicate tasting mushrooms are widely used in Asian stir-fries and soups. They are packed with antioxidants, help regulate blood sugar, and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Three delicious Lunar New Year mushroom recipes
Whether you’re celebrating Lunar New Year or you just want to enjoy some incredible mushroom dishes, here are three tasty recipes to try. These mushroom dishes bring more than just taste to the table – they also carry a sense of history and culture.
Braised Mushrooms with Bok Choy
This is a simple yet delicious dish and is a staple on many Lunar New Year tables. Whole shiitake mushrooms are simmered in h soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes a touch of sugar, then served alongside vibrant green bok choy. The dish represents prosperity (thanks to the mushrooms’ rounded, coin-like shape) and family unity.
Let the mushrooms sit for a few minutes after cooking to soak up the sauce for extra flavour and drizzle it over your rice, too!
Chinese Dumplings
No Chinese New Year feast is complete without dumplings! They are a staple in Asian cuisine, and this recipe uses a combination of pork mince, celery, mushrooms, ginger and garlic. This recipe uses dried Shiitake mushrooms, but you can use any type of mushroom and still get an amazing flavour. The soy sauce broth is delicious too.
General Tso’s Chicken & Mushrooms
This isn’t quite a traditional Chinese recipe, but is based on a popular American/Asian fusion dish. It’s hot, fiery and perfect for anyone wanting to add something a bit different to the table. The recipe simply specifies ‘Chinese mushrooms’ which means you can use any kind of mushroom you like, whether it’s an exotic that you can find in many UK supermarkets or the more easily accessible white or chestnut mushroom.
Gong Xi Fa Cai! (Wishing you great happiness and prosperity!)
