Vancouver Chefs Unveil Six Lunar New Year Recipes for Memorable Festivities
Lunar New Year offers an ideal opportunity to come together with loved ones around a beautifully set table, sharing in the joy and traditions of the season. To help you craft a memorable menu for these celebratory gatherings, we reached out to several talented Vancouver chefs who generously shared their favorite recipes to mark this special occasion. Here are six culinary creations designed to bring luck, prosperity, and delicious flavors to your Lunar New Year feast.
Miso Salmon by Chef Hung Nguyen of B House
This dish combines the rich umami of miso with the delicate texture of salmon, creating a perfect centerpiece for your celebration. Chef Hung Nguyen's recipe is simple yet elegant, ensuring a flavorful experience that honors both tradition and innovation.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) Japanese miso paste
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) mirin
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) sweet chili sauce
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon (1 mL) sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) sesame seeds
- 5 oz boneless, skinless salmon fillet
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a stainless steel bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients except the sesame seeds until smooth.
- Rub the salmon fillet thoroughly with the miso marinade, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly oil it, then place the salmon on the tray.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top of the fillet. Bake at 400°F for 6 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
- Serve with steamed white rice and your preferred vegetables. This recipe serves 1-2 people.
Unagi-Style Sablefish (Kabayaki Black Cod) by Chef James Yang of House of Dawn
Chef James Yang's take on sablefish mimics the sweet and savory glaze of traditional unagi, offering a luxurious dish that symbolizes abundance and good fortune for the new year.
Ingredients for Fish:
- 2 sablefish fillets, skin-on (about 6-8 oz / 170–225 g each)
- Fine salt
Ingredients for Unagi-Style Glaze:
- ½ cup (120 mL) soy sauce
- ½ cup (120 mL) mirin
- ⅓ cup (70 g) brown sugar (or ¼ cup sugar)
- 2 tablespoons sake (optional)
- 1 thumb ginger, sliced (optional)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) sansho (optional, for an authentic unagi vibe)
To Finish and Serve:
- Steamed rice
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sliced scallion
- Toasted nori strips (kizami nori) (optional)
- Japanese pepper (sansho) (highly recommended)
Instructions:
- In a small pot, combine soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake (plus ginger if using). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and gently simmer for 8-12 minutes, stirring until slightly syrupy. Strain out the ginger and let the glaze cool. It should coat a spoon but still brush easily, thickening more as it cools.
- Prepare the fish by patting it dry. Lightly salt both sides and let it rest for 10 minutes, then blot any moisture again to help firm the surface for better lacquering.
- Cook the fish gently to maintain its buttery texture. For oven cooking, preheat to 275°F (135°C). Place the fish on a lined tray, skin-side down, and bake for 12-18 minutes depending on thickness, until just barely set and flaky with pressure.
- Alternatively, to pan cook, place a lightly oiled pan over medium-low heat. Once hot, sear the fish skin-side down for 2-3 minutes, then flip, add a splash of water, cover, and cook for 3-5 minutes until just cooked through.
- Serve the sablefish with steamed rice, garnished with toasted sesame seeds, sliced scallion, and optional nori strips and sansho pepper for an extra kick.
These recipes from Vancouver's culinary experts not only enhance your Lunar New Year celebration but also bring a touch of local flair to your table. By incorporating these dishes, you can create a festive atmosphere that honors cultural traditions while enjoying the innovative twists of modern cuisine. Whether you're hosting a large gathering or an intimate dinner, these six recipes are sure to impress and delight your guests, making this Lunar New Year a truly memorable occasion.
