How to Host a Chinese Themed Dinner Party

When you’re hosting themed dinner parties food, culture, and travel themes are always a popular starting point. Why not have a Chinese themed dinner where you can cook inspired dishes or order sharable food from your favorite local restaurant.

Since Chinese New Year is in winter, it’s the perfect inspiration. This year it starts on February 17, and 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse. The celebration lasts for 2 weeks and there are some fun traditions I’ll let you in on below, plus easy tips for hosting and creating a memorable Chinese themed evening.

PARTY TIP: Keep prep work to a minimum and order food from your favorite local Chinese restaurant. Serve food family-style in cute takeout boxes.

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Party Decoration Ideas

Create a festive atmosphere with décor that honors some of the cultural traditions.

• Set the scene with black, red, and gold. Bring these colors in with table cloths, dishes, plate chargers, napkins, and flowers.
• Keep the décor simple and streamlined.
• Use orchids or small bamboo plants as your centerpiece, rather than a traditional floral arrangement. Fill in with pillar candles.
• Serve food family-style either in serving dishes, or right from the Chinese takeout cartons.
• Use good-luck coins you can fine at the party store, to tie around napkins.
• Place a painted lacquered screen or shoji screen in the corner.
• Hang paper lanterns, large and small, around the party space. Hang them over the dining table, in the corners, or over a buffet table.

Themed Table Setting

Set the table and each place setting with layers of gold chargers, black plates and bowls, red napkins, and chopsticks. Place a red envelope at each place for a guest party favor.

Roll up napkins and tie them with gold good luck coins.

Create a simple centerpiece with bamboo placemat or runner, pillar candles, and a potted orchid. You could even buy smaller orchids and give each guest one to take home.

Menu & Food Ideas

Serve delicious food from your favorite Chinese restaurant. Serve multiple choices like three entrees, and two sides in traditional takeout boxes and platters.

If you’d rather cook your own meal, here are some recipes to add to your dinner party menu.

You should absolutely start with tuna wonton cup appetizers. They’re so full of flavor and you can make the filling and the cups ahead of time, and then fill them just before guests arrive.

Everyone loves fried rice and it’s easy to make ahead and keep warm. You can add chicken, turkey, tofu, or edamame for protein. Or, you can serve with teriyaki chicken skewers (without the peanut sauce).

Another fantastic entree is lo mein noodles with chicken and broccoli.

Some other traditional style recipes to try are Chinese inspired cucumber salad, sweet & sour pork, and orange chicken.

Drinks

Hot tea is very popular for Chinese themes, especially Oolong or jasmine.

Rice wine is also enjoyed at celebrations. Serve it in cucumber cups for an unforgettable detail.

My drink of choice for this dinner party is a lychee martini. It’s delicious and right on theme.

Serve bubble tea as a refreshing welcome drink during cocktail hour, or save it for dessert. It’s a unique sweet mix of tapioca pearls, tea, and milk.

Dessert

Desserts are less indulgent than our American style. A simple plate of mochi with various flavors would be a fun treat. They’re filled with sweetened bean paste or ice cream. While they’re actually a Japanese treat, they’re easier to find and make a good substitute for their Chinese counterpart, lo mai chi.

Other options are sweet rice pudding, and fortune cookies, of course!

FAQ’s

Chinese New Year Tips

Did you know that Chinese New Year festivities last for two weeks? Creating a Chinese dinner is a fun way to entertain at home with friends.

• Know the Chinese zodiac signs. 2022 is the year of the Tiger, but you can find out what each guests’ sign is by matching up the year they were born. Find the Chinese zodiac signs here.
• Wear something red. In Chinese culture, red helps ward off bad luck and evil spirits.
• Make a wish. Hang lanterns and make a wish in honor of the Lantern Festival, held on the last day of the 15-day celebration.
• Give Red Envelopes. These traditional gifts are filled with money as a symbol of good luck, and make terrific party favors. But for a whimsical touch you can fill them with chocolate coins instead. Of course you could also tuck in a dollar bill if you like.
• Fortune cookies. Although they are actually an American invention, it just wouldn’t be a Chinese dinner party without them. And of course they’re included with most Chinese takeout meals.

More Themed Dinners

Don’t stop now; check out some more dinner party themes to host at home.

• Mardi Gras themed dinner party
• Irish themed dinner party for St. Patrick’s day
• Italian theme dinner party
• Mexican themed dinner party
• Cozy soup dinner party

Are you ready to celebrate the lunar new year? Or simply host a Chinese theme dinner? Make it easy on yourself, order takeout, and follow the dinner party plan I’ve laid out for you.