Today is the Lunar New Year, more commonly known as Chinese New Year.

It is mainly known as Chinese New Year, because China is famous for the big celebrations that they do during this day. However, this day is also observed in the rest of Asia, from the Middle East with the Islamic New Year to Vietnam, to Nepal and Indonesia.

Lunar New Year is the first day of the lunisolar calendar which is

A lunisolar calendar is a calendar in many cultures whose date indicates both the Moon phase and the time of the solar year. If the solar year is defined as a tropical year, then a lunisolar calendar will give an indication of the season; if it is taken as a sidereal year, then the calendar will predict the constellation near which the full moon may occur. As with all calendars which divide the year into months there is an additional requirement that the year have a whole number of months. In this case ordinary years consist of twelve months but every second or third year is an embolismic year, which adds a thirteenth intercalary, embolismic, or leap month.

Their months are based on the regular cycle of the Moon‘s phases. So lunisolar calendars are lunar calendars with – in contrast to them – additional intercalation rules being used to bring them into a rough agreement with the solar year and thus with the seasons.

The main other type of calendar is a solar calendar.

Lunisolar calendar, Wikipedia

Now that you know a bit more about why there is another New Year, let’s go and see what is the most traditional food consumed during this day: we have dumplings, sweet&savoury tofu, spring rolls, longevity noodles, etc. I selected some recipes that I have personally tried and can confirm are delicious, easy and quick to make: all pros and no cons.

I’d start with a Vegan Fried Rice, recipe by FoodPassionical. Already since the first time I tried it, I fell in love with it: super easy, using easy-to-find ingredients, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make.

Then I would go for some Vegan Gyoza. They are great both steamed or fried. The only con is the making of the wrappers: I still need to find the right way of making them (I know that it would be easier to buy them, but I always try to make them – You only have yourself to blame, I am aware), but with this recipe they come out very decently. The recipe is by Bianca Zapatka

Followed by some Hotteok by Maangchi. They are nice, and fluffy and rich with nutricious veggies. I made them not long ago, it’s a recipe that doesn’t take too long and with a delicious result.

This is another recipe by Maangchi: Vegetable Pancake. I make them quite often, because are very easy to prepare, between preparation and cooking time it’s no more than 20 minutes.

To these beauties, I would add some Sweet and crunchy tofu. Every time I make it, I can’t even wait until it’s cooled down: it’s too good! Trust me: you’ll thank me later.

I hope that you’ll enjoy this day and if you made any of this recipes, please let me know.

Happy Lunar New Year!