10 Superb Thai Recipes for Chinese Lunar New Year

It’s Chinese New Year! Here are 10 Superb Thai Recipes for Chinese Lunar New Year that is celebrated in Thailand. Following Italian, Thai food is my next favorite cuisine. It’s such an extraordinary cuisine with its focus on the freshest ingredients and the four essential flavor notes of: salty, spicy, sour, and sweet. All coming together in a sweet melody of deliciousness! (learn more here from The Bangkok Post: Balancing the 4 Thai Flavors)
Did you know that nearly one-third of Thai people are of Chinese ancestry? And especially of those living in Bangkok. In fact, the largest Chinese population outside of China is in Thailand! I was quite surprised to learn this little-known fact when I taught for three weeks in Thailand. So, they celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year as well. But being some of the most fun-loving people on earth, there is not one, nor two, but three times a year to honor the new year! The third new year celebration, Songkran, is the official Thai new year, and is the most extravagant in decorations and festivities EVERYWHERE! The Thai decorate as Americans decorate for Christmas.
For each of the three New Year holidays, the Thai people have many customary, festive, and vibrant events. Like Italians, food and family are of the most importance in Thailand. During this time, they focus on preparing foods that are tied to prosperity, health, and good luck.
After the recipes below, you might like to check out the cool video showing the Chinese New Year celebrations in Thailand. So much color, especially RED!
And like Italians, the Thai talk about food all day long! And why not? It’s an amazing cuisine!
So, I wanted to share some of the best Thai recipes I’ve prepared for the blog, especially for all my new friends who’ve subscribed since my last Thai recipe post in 2021. How time flies! I need to get on the stick and post a new Thai recipe, right?
Where should I begin? If you need some inspiration on what and how to prepare something “Thai” for the Lunar New Year, these recipes are some of my ‘must haves’! I’ll start with my oldest recipe post:
Encrusted Ahi Tuna Pu Pu’s (appetizers)


Thai Mango Sea Bass in Chile Sauce

Pineapple, Coconut Smoothie with Rambutan

Fresh Thai Salad with Two Thai Dressings



Easy and Delicious Thai Salmon

Thai Chopped Salad with Peanut Dressing

Limoncello Thai Rambutan Martini

3 of the BEST Thai cookbooks you could ever have!
100 Simple Thai Recipes for Any Day of the Week (Sabai)

Hot Thai Kitchen: Demystifying Thai Cuisine to Make at Home

Pok Pok: Thai Food from Its Streets, Homes, and Roadside Stands

Happy Lunar Chinese New Year . . . Thai style!
I have to agree with you about the outstanding flavors in Thai food. I just told a friend that Thai would be making an appearance on my blog soon.
Love the dishes you have included.
Good looking list Roz
They all look so good, but I love esp. the ahi tuna!