Christmas is a big holiday in Singapore, even if you're not Christian. Here are some easy Asian and Chinese Christmas Recipes for you if you want to do something different this year.
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Jewish People and Chinese Christmas Food
Did you know that American Jews have the tradition of eating Chinese cuisine on Christmas Day?
You may be wondering what's the connection between Jewish immigrants and chow mein, lo mein, dim sum and egg rolls. Well, here are some of them:
- Jewish and Chinese immigrants lived in close proximity on the Lower East side, New York City
- Chinese restaurant owners welcomed Jewish families.
- Chinese dishes are usually free of dairy, and they look relatively kosher (as any pro is usually presented in a non-obvious way.)
- Chinese Food Restaurants are open on Christmas!
Did You Know?
- Celebrating Christmas is a relatively modern tradition for in China.
- Christmas Eve is translated as "Ping An Ye" (literally Safe Night), so gifting apples for the holiday season is 1 of the Christmas traditions in China (translated as "Ping Guo" and thus a homonym.)
🥘 Starters
Singaporean Curry Puffs
Curry puffs are great party appetisers as you can batch make them in advance. Although best served hot, they taste good at room temperature too!
Chinese Pumpkin Soup
Potstickers
Every Chinese family has their own homemade dumplings recipe- the shape represents good fortune to the Chinese people!
Note: click here for good potstickers sides.
🐖 Alternatives to Turkey
Instead of getting a turkey for Christmas Dinner- I've never developed much of a taste for turkey as it can get so dry! - why not make 1 of these Asian cuisine alternatives to turkey meals?
12345 Chinese Pork Ribs
Soy Sauce Chicken
This Cantonese Chicken does require quite a long poaching time though, so if you're in a rush, you can try this quicker version.
Note: leftovers are delicious in this rotisserie chicken porridge.
Peking Duck
I'll be honest, Peking Duck is not an easy dish to make, which is why it's great for special occasions such as Christmas! It's also hot to prepare, so perfect for the cooler weather of the Christmas season.
Note: these are some side dishes that go well with Peking Duck.
Eight Treaures Duck
This Shanghainese and Cantonese dish gets its name from the fact that the duck is stuffed with 8 different ingredients, such as glutinous rice, diced mushrooms, water chestnuts, Chinese sausage, Chinese dried shrimp, bamboo shoots, jujubes, salted egg yolks, Jinhua ham, barley, dried lily, red beans, lotus seeds and peanuts
Asian Porkballs
You could also make these delicious Asian pork meatballs which come in a tangy caramel sauce!
Salt and Pepper Pork
Or try these crispy and juicy pepper pork chops!
Fish Sauce Chicken Wings
If you like chicken wings but not fish sauce, try these other Asian chicken wing recipes.
General Tso's Chicken
This sweet and savory deep fried chicken recipe is 1 of the most popular Chinese takeout menu items in USA.
Asian-inspired Beef
The sauce would also go superbly with roast beef!
🍛 Curries
Curries, with all their delicious flavors, are ideal meal prep dishes for parties because they taste better the next day!
Chicken Curry with Pumpkin
Sorpotel Curry
🦃 Asian-flavoured Turkey
5-spice Roast Turkey
For those who are traditionalists at heart, jazz up your turkey by using this Asian spice rub. Get the most flavour by using homemade 5-spice powder- extra can be used in these Chinese 5-spice dishes!
Turkey Balls
A great idea to incorporate turkey into your Christmas menu, but in a new form, is to make these Asian Turkey Meatballs!
🍥 Seafood
Singaporean Assam Fish Curry
Or why not make a fish curry? Curries are great to cook for parties as they heat up so well!
🍝 Noodles
Long noodles are associated with longevity in Chinese culture.
Dan Dan Noodles
For those whose taste buds lean to the spicy, try these Sichuan noodles.
Mee Siam
If you're not a fan of sour soup, try stir-fried Mee Siam, which I find even more delicious!
Bihun Goreng
🥬 Vegetable Sides
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
Lao Gan Ma Salad
Fans of the famous chili sauce would love this easy and refreshing side dish!
Cabbage Salad
Soy Mushrooms
Note: the soy butter sauce is also delicious mixed with popcorn.
Garlic Mushrooms
Note: if you love these fungi, click here for more delicious Asian mushroom dishes.
🥗 Vegetarian & Vegan
If you're not a meat eater, you can still cook up a delicious Asian Christmas meal. Veggies don't always have to be an afterthought, they can be the star of the feast too!
Kung Bao Cauliflower
Vegan Bao Buns
🍧 Chinese Desserts
Auspicious Koi Fish Jelly
Chinese Peanut Cookies
They're usually made for Chinese New Year, but Chinese Peanut Cookies make a great after-dinner snack for Christmas too!
Vegan Egg Tarts
Chinese Walnut Cookies
Pumpkin Cake
Instead of Pumpkin Pie, why not try this much easier to make, soft and gooey sweet treat?
Bird's Nest & Wolfberries in Coconut
Bird's nest is often on the menu during special occasions, such as weddings, so why not at Christmas? Serve it in a coconut for presentation points!
Note: If you end up with more coconut than you need, here are some ways to cook with coconut water.
Here's wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!
If you've found something to serve during Christmas time from this list of Asian and Chinese Christmas Dishes, why not subscribe to my Asian food newsletter?
Julie says
Woah so many beautiful recipes to choose from!!! 5 stars!
Zen says
Glad u like them Julie, hope to see some on your IG feed one day 🙂
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Thank you for including me! Pinned, yummed and tweeted!
Zen says
Aw thanks for popping by and for all the support, and for letting me include your awesome recipe! Happy holidays to your family and you!