Spanning sixteen days, Chinese New Year is a vibrant celebration filled with traditions, festivities and at its heart, food. From Chinese New Year's Eve to the grand Lantern Festival, this period is rich with symbolic dishes, each representing hopes and wishes for the year ahead.
For caterers, the growing recognition of Chinese New Year offers a unique opportunity to create themed menus and boost sales. With Chinese cuisine being one of the UK's favourites, the occasion allows operators to tap into the rising interest in the world cuisines and regional specialities.
Meeting Demand with Quality and Efficiency
In busy kitchens, producing high-quality meals in large quantities requires solutions that save time while maintaining flavour consistency. Pre-made sauces, such as those from Lee Kum Kee, offer an excellent alternative to scratch cooking. Known for their authentic flavours, Lee Kum Kee's extensive range of rich and concentrated sauces, pastes, vinegars and stocks guarantees cost-efficiency and reliability.
With over 85% of the foodservice range suitable for vegans and offerings that cater to dietary considerations like Gluten-Free, Lee Kum Kee's products ensure inclusivity. The sauces are not only rich and concentrated but also cost-efficient, with yields for approximately 50-100 portions each. The sauces are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for creating multiple dishes across a variety of menu items and cuisine types with just one sauce.
Iconic Dishes for Chinese New Year Menus
The Chinese New Year dinner table is a feast of symbolic dishes, each representing a wish for the coming year. With Lee Kum Kee's sauces, creating these dishes becomes a seamless process, allowing caterers to capture the celebration's essence with ease. Here are some menu inspirations:
- Dumplings: A must-have for New Year celebrations, dumplings symbolise wealth due to their resemblance to ancient Chinese gold ingots. Traditional filled with pork, beef, lamb or prawns and marinated with Lee Kum Kee's Light and Dark Soy Sauce, they can be paired with vegetables and dipped in seasoned rice vinegar. For a spicy twist, Chiu Chow Chilli Oil adds a unique aroma and flavour that stands out.
- Noodles: Representing longevity, noodles are a versatile dish perfect for New Year menus. Whether stir-fried with sliced meat and vegetables or served in a flavourful broth, they can be enhanced with Lee Kum Kee's Light and Dark Soy Sauce or a touch of Oyster Sauce for a rich umami taste. This dish is also ideal for an on-the-go offering.
- Tofu: Known as "dou fu" in Chinese, tofu sounds like the phrase for "everybody is blessed with wealth", making it a meaningful addition to the menu. Tofu can be served in salads with spring onions, in soup with seaweed or braised with Lee Kum Kee's Vegetarian Stir Fry Sauce. This vegan and gluten-free sauce provides a flavoursome alternative to Oyster Sauce, perfect for plant-based diners.
- Roast Chicken: A symbol of happiness and prosperity, roast chicken is a perennial favourite during Chinese New Year. Marinating it with Lee Kum Kee's Chinese Style Honey BBQ Marinade Char Siu Sauce creates a glossy, sticky glaze with balanced sweetness. Serve alongside grilled vegetables for a delightful main course.
Embrace the Flavours of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is more than just a celebration - it's a chance to connect through food and tradition. With Lee Kum Kee's authentic sauces and recipe suggestions, caterers can effortlessly bring the symbolic and delicious flavours of this cherished festival to their customers. Whether you're crafting dumplings, noodles, tofu or roast chicken, Lee Kum Kee ensures that your menu reflects the quality, authenticity, and spirit of Chinese New Year.
