Chinese Celebrations
For Chinese Americans, New Year is a time for new clothes, decorating houses with flowers and fruits, and remembering ancestors. Firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits and children receive money in red envelopes as gifts. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck.

Try Chinese New Year Recipes
Pan-fried Meat Dumpling>>
Jai>>
Sweet and sour dragon fish>>
Peking Duck Wontons with Papa Chin Sauce>>

Vietnamese Celebrations
The Vietnamese welcome the New Year by paying off their debt and placing offerings for ancestors of the family. They clean their houses, polish their utensils and ornaments, and burn incense sticks to start their clebratons. They indulge in a lavish dinner of a special pudding made of rice with beans and pork. In addition to it, they eat chicken, sweets, beef, fish, oranges, coconuts and other fruits.

Try a Vietnamese New Year recipe
Vietnamese Caramalized Pork (Thit kho to) >>

Japanese, Koreans and Indians celebrate New Year on January first but Lunar New Year is also a time of celebration for many.

Korean Celebrations
Korean families exchange gifts and wish each other prosperity and good fortune. Children put on new traditional clothes and usually get money, candy and fruits as gifts. They have rice cake soup with dumplings (Duk Mandu Gook) as one of the main dishes for the day.

Try a Korean New Year recipe
Korean Rice Cake Soup>>


Japanese Celebrations
The Japanese believe that all preparations for New Year's celebrations must be completed and all debts of the old year should be paid by New Year eve. On New Year's morning, the family members dress in new clothes. They eat soup, black beans, and seaweed (symbolizing happiness). After the meal, children receive their special New Year's gifts, usually coins sealed in special gift envelopes.

"Osechi ryori" is what most people in Japan eat in new year. The foods for osechi can be prepared in advance and stored in a cool area for a few days. >> Read More

Try a Japanese Recipe for the holiday
Teriyaki Tuna Loin with Sushi Rice and Wasabi>>

Indian Celebrations
The Indians celebrate New Year by sending greetings cards to friends and usually arranging picnics or short trips. People eat various types of cakes along with tasty meals for New Year.