Every Lunar New Year, Malaysians come together to celebrate not just abundance, but connection—through food that carries meaning, memory, and tradition.
For business owners, it’s more than just a festive menu. Way more. To them, it’s a once-a-year opportunity to create dishes that symbolise good fortune while strengthening your brand’s reputation for authentic, quality taste.
Here are five must-have dishes to make your Chinese New Year 2026 menu truly prosperous.
No CNY menu begins without the joyous tossing of “lou hei”. Colourful, refreshing, and symbolic of rising fortune, Fruit Lou Sheng represents abundance, unity, and shared happiness—the very essence of the festive season.
Why it matters:
Lou Sheng sets the tone for prosperity and positivity. Every toss brings laughter to your restaurant floor and energy to your brand.
Business angle:
Offer variations that fit different price tiers—from fresh fruit versions to premium seafood options. Each can be prepped quickly and beautifully plated to draw attention on social media.
Special Tip:
Balance the sauce’s sweet-sour flavour with AJI-NO-MOTO®, enhancing the freshness of the fruits while maintaining a well-rounded umami depth across batches.
In Chinese, fish (鱼 yú) symbolises abundance—a wish that “every year brings surplus” (年年有余 nián nián yǒu yú). This signature dish captures that hope perfectly.
Why it matters:
A whole steamed fish is the showpiece of any reunion dinner, symbolising wholeness and success.
Business angle:
Serve with finesse—the superior soy sauce base creates that restaurant-grade appeal that guests remember and return for.
Special Tip:
Level-up your soy sauce blend with AJI-NO-MOTO®, creating a delicate umami depth that enhances the fish’s natural sweetness and aroma.
In every feast, the meal starts with soup—a comforting symbol of togetherness and new beginnings. The best choice for that? Golden Fish Maw and Chicken Soup. This luxurious dish pairs fish maw and chicken for richness that feels both homely and festive.
Why it matters:
Soups embody warmth—a reminder that prosperity flows best when shared.
Business angle:
Ideal for set menus and banquets, this soup offers high perceived value with practical efficiency: easy to prepare in bulk while maintaining premium taste and texture.
Special Tip:
Use TUMIX® Chicken Stock for a balanced, savoury foundation—rich in the perfect harmony of chicken, garlic, and onion taste—giving every bowl that “slow-simmered” goodness without the long prep time.
Another one on the Top 5 list is Eight Treasures Prosperity Fried Rice. A festival favourite that speaks of abundance—each “treasure” symbolises a blessing for the year ahead: health, wealth, happiness, and harmony.
Why it matters:
Fried rice is universal, but this version tells a story—a story of eight “treasures” on their plate.
Business angle:
It’s highly profitable, quick to cook, and customisable. The kind of dish that shines in both à la carte and banquet service.
Special Tip:
For consistent flavour and efficiency, season with SERI-AJI® Fried Rice Seasoning—available in variants like Kampung Style, Yong Chow, and Chicken Flavour—ensuring each wok of rice comes out fragrant, golden, and deliciously balanced.
“Ha ha ha”—the sound of laughter and prawns (虾 xiā) share the same joy. A fiery dish of Peppercorn Firecracker Tiger Prawns symbolises celebration, energy, and the courage to welcome challenges in the new year.
Why it matters:
Vibrant, eye-catching, and rich with aroma, it’s the perfect dish to draw diners in with its visual appeal and festive meaning.
Business angle:
Fast to cook, easy to portion, and ideal for festive catering—a clear win for busy kitchens.
Special Tip:
A pinch of AJI-NO-MOTO® enhances the natural sweetness of prawns, harmonising the peppercorn heat and soy-caramel glaze into one balanced, irresistible flavour.
In Chinese philosophy, “Food is the root of harmony” (民以食为天). When you prepare dishes with heart, you nourish not just the diner, but the year ahead.
This 2026, build a CNY menu that reflects your brand’s passion for consistency, efficiency, and authentic taste—with a touch of prosperity in every bite.
Explore Ajinomoto product range of professional F&B solutions to help you deliver authentic, consistent flavour all festive season long.
Because normal menus just celebrate, like the rest. But GREAT menus? Great menus bring people… home.
Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner
