Chinese New Year: the Year of the Horse

Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, 17 February, marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse.

Let's discover together some of the typical dishes that will accompany this important holiday.

Spring rolls – 春卷 (chūn juǎn)

Spring rolls are probably the best known in Chinese cuisine. They are eaten during the Spring Festival in southern China to celebrate the arrival of spring. More precisely, they are eaten on the first day of spring (立春 / there chūn). They can appear on the table as a main dish, appetizer or snack.

Ravioli – 饺子 (jiǎo zi)

Another well-known dish, dumplings are the northern equivalent of spring rolls. They are eaten on any special occasion, but the most significant time remains the Chinese New Year, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune for the new year.

Baked seeds – 瓜子 (guā zǐ)

Eating baked seeds is a favorite pastime for most Chinese people.
The most popular are sunflower seeds: not only are they a great snack, but they are also often added to cakes and desserts.

Candied Figures – 捏糖人 (niē táng rén)

They have more than 600 years of history and are made through the use of malt syrup.

In winter, they can be found along busy streets and in small neighborhoods. Through blowing, stretching, squeezing, and the use of tools (such as toothpicks and chopsticks), the malt is shaped into various figures.

During Chinese New Year, they are commonly patterned after the Zodiac animal of the year, such as the Horse in 2026, or auspicious symbols. They are not only a fun snack, but also important cultural artifacts.

Ginger candy – 糖姜片 (táng jiāng piàn)

Originating in Changsha, ginger candies have existed since the Ming Dynasty.
They are created with fresh ginger, white sugar, salt and natural seasonings. After preparation, they are placed in the sun until completely dried.

In the past, almost all ginger farmers dried or pickled ginger pieces, making these candies a symbol of tradition and folk ingenuity.