On February 17, 2026, the globe will come together in celebration of the Year of the Horse, ushering in Lunar New Year festivities in many Asian cultures, from Chinese to Vietnamese. Marked by gatherings of family and friends, these celebrations revolve around sharing traditional dishes believed to bring good luck and abundance in the upcoming year. Delve into a variety of recipes, from long prosperity noodles to festive desserts, and experience the culinary traditions that make the New Year extra special.

Danielle Chang, producer of Lucky Chow, begins her Lunar New Year festivities with mouthwatering steamed dumplings filled with a compelling blend of garlic, ginger, scallions, and Chinese chives. The homespun sauce adds an extra kick to these parcels of ground pork, symbolizing a prosperous year ahead.

In Korea, rice cake soup calls forth prosperity through its symbolic ingredients. The pure white color of the rice cakes signifies a fresh start, while their coin-like shape evokes the promise of prosperity. Often prepared with beef, this dish is a tasty symbol of good fortune.

The Mandarin word for fish, 'Yú,' shares its sound with the Chinese term for abundance. Serving a carefully-prepared whole fish dish, such as seared snapper, beckons prosperity for the upcoming year, according to Chinese tradition.

Among the delightful desserts of the Lunar New Year, Brooklyn pastry chef Doris Hô-Kane’s stunning bánh deo is a sensation. Prepared using a microwave, this delicacy featuring chewy mochi skin and rich black sesame-chocolate filling is a fan favorite during Vietnam's Lunar New Year or Tết.

Embrace good fortune with chef Zoey Xinyi Gong's rich cabbage pockets. They're brimming with shiitake mushrooms, Chinese chives, and crunchy mung beans, offering a refreshing and savory dish for the Lunar New Year.

Named after its key ingredients, the Three Cups Chicken is a classic Taiwanese dish served on Lunar New Year's table. Imagine generous cups of rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil braising the chicken, while ginger, garlic, and basil lend a burst of invigorating aroma. Pork can be substituted if preferred.

Of course, sweet treats are a significant part of the Lunar New Year tradition. Springy round rice balls, stuffed with black sesame seeds and bathed in soothing rock sugar–sweetened Chinese dessert soup, embody togetherness and harmony, welcoming the New Year on a sweet note.

Finally, no Lunar New Year table is complete without green vegetables. Green symbolizes money, and dishes with leafy greens are said to bring wealth. Top chef tips suggest using fermented soybean paste for a splash of savoriness.

Accompany these stellar dishes with a vibrant punch brimming with lemon peel and garnished with pomelo or grapefruit. Fruits symbolize luck and fertility, so this punch adds a festive layer to your celebration.

Embrace the spirit of the Lunar New Year with these food traditions from around the world. Whether you're trying out these recipes for the first time or continuing a treasured family tradition, they're sure to bring good luck, happiness, and a tantalizing feast to remember.