What to Buy for a Chinese New Year Celebration

This Chinese New Year celebration shopping list covers the practical supplies needed for a shared meal, buffet service and a simple program. Plan tableware by guest count, then add serving pieces so food can move from the kitchen to the tables without borrowing items halfway through the event. Check cooking capacity early: rice cookers, woks, large pots and food warmers may be needed at the same time. Buy decorations, red envelopes, name cards and printed menus before the final shopping trip.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 90
Buffet tablesqty 4
High tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 8
Clothes hangersqty 2

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 100
Dessert platesqty 100
Soup bowlsqty 90
Bowls for riceqty 100
Chinese teacupsqty 90
Water glassesqty 100
Wine glassesqty 90
Chopsticksqty 100
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12
Serving traysqty 10

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Wok pansqty 4
Large cooking potsqty 3
Rice cookersqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 20
Food warmersqty 6
Serving plattersqty 18
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6

Decorations

Red table runnersqty 10
Red lanternsqty 30
String lightsqty 8
Paper fansqty 20
Luck symbolsqty 25
Red envelopesqty 100
Photo backdrop
Artificial blossom branchesqty 12
Red and gold balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Table decorationsqty 10
Name badge holdersqty 90
Menu Card Holdersqty 12
Decorative fanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Jasmine rice - 12 kilograms
- Rice noodles - 4 kilogram
- Wheat noodles - 3 kilogram
- Chicken thighs - 7 kilograms
- Pork - 5 kilograms
- Shrimp - 4 kilograms
- Tofu - 3 kilogram
- Eggs - 90 pieces
- Bok choy - 8 kilogram
- Chinese cabbage - 6 kilograms
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Red Bell Peppers - 4 kilograms
- Yellow bell pepper - 3 kg
- Broccoli - 5 kilograms
- Sugar snaps - 3 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Spring onions - 30 pieces
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Fresh ginger - 1 kilogram
- Fresh coriander - 12 bunches
- Limes - 40 pieces
- Mandarins - 12 kilograms
- Lychees - 8 cans
- Pineapple - 6 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Sesame seeds - 1 kilogram
- Peanuts - 2 kilograms
- Cashews - 2 kilogram
- Dried shiitake mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Seaweed - 500 gram
- Red peppers - 500 grams
- Sichuan pepper - 250 grams
- Chinese five-spice powder - 250 grams
- White pepper - 250 gram
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Granulated sugar - 2 kilograms
- Cornstarch - 1 kilogram
- Sesame oil - 3 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Soy sauce - 6 bottles
- Dark soy sauce - 3 bottles
- Oyster sauce - 4 bottles
- Hoisin sauce - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Rice vinegar - 3 bottles
- Sweet chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Coconut milk - 12 cans
- Vegetable stock - 4 liters
- Chicken stock - 4 liters
- Spring rolls - 120 pieces
- Mini dim sum - 150 pieces
- Shrimp crackers - 3 kilograms
- Edamame - 4 kg
- Shrimp crackers - 2 kilogram
- Pandan cake - 6 pieces
- Sesame Balls - 120 pieces
- Fortune cookies - 100 pieces
- Mango pudding - 90 servings
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Jasmine tea - 3 boxes
- Green tea - 2 boxes
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 18 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Ginger beer - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Lychee juice - 8 liter
- Beer - 120 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Kitchen towels - 4 packs
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Count one dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl, rice bowl and pair of chopsticks per guest, then keep 10% extra for breakage or replacements. Add forks, knives and spoons for guests who do not use chopsticks.
For buffet service, allow one serving spoon or pair of tongs for each dish. Prepare at least two trays or platters per buffet station so food does not have to stay in cooking pans.
Check the capacity of your rice cookers and cooking pots against the final guest count at least 3 days before the celebration. Rice and noodles often need separate preparation space, measuring cups and mixing bowls.
Keep hot food in food warmers and use aluminum foil plus lidded storage containers for dishes prepared in advance. Label containers by dish and serving time so the kitchen team can work from the schedule.
Buy red envelopes, small game prizes, name cards, menus and welcome-sign materials at least 1 week before the event. Chill drinks on the day, and collect fresh ingredients as close to cooking time as possible.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and bowls do I need for a Chinese New Year celebration?: Plan one dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl and rice bowl per guest, plus 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each item if washing during the event is not practical.
How many chopsticks should I buy per guest?: Provide one pair per guest and keep at least 10% extra for dropped or misplaced pairs. For 30 guests, buy 33 pairs; also provide forks for guests who prefer them.
When should I buy ingredients for Chinese New Year food?: Buy shelf-stable ingredients, drinks and disposable supplies 3 to 7 days ahead. Pick up fresh ingredients on the day before or the day of the celebration, depending on how long they keep.
How many serving utensils do I need for a Chinese New Year buffet?: Allow one serving spoon or pair of tongs for every dish, plus two extra sets for shared dishes or replacements. If you serve 12 dishes, prepare at least 14 serving utensils.

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