Lunar New Year Dragon Platter

Featured in: Seasonal Cooking

This vibrant platter draws inspiration from the dragon dance, combining cooked shrimp, Chinese BBQ pork, and chicken potstickers layered over crisp lettuce. Fresh vegetables like cucumber, bell peppers, and carrots add bright color, while mango and dragon fruit sculpt the dragon’s head. Edamame and nori pieces detail the face, complemented by herbs and olives. Paired with soy, sweet chili, and hoisin sauces, this colorful creation is perfect for festive gatherings, offering a medium difficulty dish that serves eight with an Asian fusion flair.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:21:00 GMT
Vibrant Lunar New Year Dragon Platter with colorful veggies and shrimp, ready to be enjoyed. Pin
Vibrant Lunar New Year Dragon Platter with colorful veggies and shrimp, ready to be enjoyed. | potfuljoy.com

A festive and colorful appetizer platter inspired by the dragon dance, featuring an assortment of Asian-inspired bites arranged to resemble a dragon—perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations.

This platter brings excitement and tradition to our Lunar New Year gatherings, always wowing guests with its creativity.

Ingredients

  • Proteins: 8 cooked shrimp peeled and deveined 8 slices Chinese BBQ pork char siu thinly sliced 8 chicken potstickers store-bought or homemade cooked
  • Vegetables: 1 cucumber thinly sliced 2 carrots julienned 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced 2 cups edamame cooked and shelled 8 lettuce leaves e.g. butter or romaine
  • Fruits & Garnishes: 1 small mango thinly sliced 1 small dragon fruit sliced and cut into scales 3 sprigs fresh cilantro 1 small bunch chives or green onions for whiskers 1 sheet nori seaweed cut into small circles for eyes/nose 2 black olives or grapes for nostrils
  • Dipping Sauces: ½ cup soy sauce ¼ cup sweet chili sauce ¼ cup hoisin sauce

Instructions

Step 1:
Prepare all ingredients as directed cook potstickers and edamame slice vegetables and fruits and cut nori for facial features.
Step 2:
On a large serving platter or board arrange the lettuce leaves in a curving line to form the dragons body.
Step 3:
Layer BBQ pork shrimp and potstickers along the lettuce to create the dragons scales.
Step 4:
Use sliced cucumber bell peppers carrots mango and dragon fruit to add colorful accents and define the dragons body and tail.
Step 5:
Sculpt the dragons head at one end using edamame mango and dragon fruit Use nori circles for eyes and black olives or grapes for nostrils Chives or green onions can form the dragons whiskers.
Step 6:
Garnish the platter with fresh cilantro sprigs for extra color.
Step 7:
Arrange dipping sauces in small bowls around the platter.
Step 8:
Serve immediately guests can pick and dip their favorite bites.
A festive Lunar New Year Dragon Platter featuring shrimp, char siu, and potstickers, artfully arranged. Pin
A festive Lunar New Year Dragon Platter featuring shrimp, char siu, and potstickers, artfully arranged. | potfuljoy.com

This platter always brings our family joy and a sense of celebration during Lunar New Year.

Required Tools

Large serving platter or board Sharp knife Small bowls for sauces Tongs or chopsticks

Allergen Information

Contains soy soy sauce edamame shellfish shrimp gluten potstickers soy sauce hoisin and sesame if used Check labels for hidden allergens adapt as needed.

Nutritional Information

Calories 210 Total Fat 6 g Carbohydrates 24 g Protein 13 g per serving

Appetizing Lunar New Year Dragon Platter with dipping sauces, perfect for a celebratory spread. Pin
Appetizing Lunar New Year Dragon Platter with dipping sauces, perfect for a celebratory spread. | potfuljoy.com

Enjoy creating this vibrant and festive platter that will impress your guests every time.

Recipe Q&A

What proteins are featured in the platter?

The platter includes cooked shrimp, thinly sliced Chinese BBQ pork, and cooked chicken potstickers for a variety of textures and flavors.

How are the dragon’s facial features created?

Nori cut into small circles form eyes and nose, black olives or grapes create nostrils, and chives or green onions serve as whiskers.

Can this platter be adapted for vegetarians?

Yes, shrimp and BBQ pork can be replaced with marinated tofu or additional vegetables to suit vegetarian preferences.

What dipping sauces accompany the dish?

The platter is served with soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and hoisin sauce to complement the assortment of bites.

How should the platter be arranged for serving?

Arrange lettuce leaves in a curved line for the dragon’s body, layer proteins and vegetables to resemble scales, and sculpt the head with fruits and edamame on one end.

Are there any common allergens in the ingredients?

Ingredients contain soy, shellfish, gluten, and potentially sesame. It's recommended to check labels for allergens and adjust as needed.

Lunar New Year Dragon Platter

A vibrant Asian fusion platter featuring shrimp, BBQ pork, potstickers, fresh veggies, and dipping sauces arranged like a dragon.

Preparation time
40 min
Cooking time
20 min
Total time
60 min

Category Seasonal Cooking

Difficulty Medium

Origin Asian Fusion

Yield 8 Servings

Dietary specifications Dairy-free

Ingredients

Proteins

01 8 cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 8 slices Chinese BBQ pork (char siu), thinly sliced
03 8 chicken potstickers, cooked

Vegetables

01 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
02 2 carrots, julienned
03 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 2 cups cooked and shelled edamame
06 8 lettuce leaves (butter or romaine)

Fruits & Garnishes

01 1 small mango, thinly sliced
02 1 small dragon fruit, sliced and cut into scales
03 3 sprigs fresh cilantro
04 1 small bunch chives or green onions (for whiskers)
05 1 sheet nori (seaweed), cut into small circles
06 2 black olives or grapes (for nostrils)

Dipping Sauces

01 1/2 cup soy sauce
02 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
03 1/4 cup hoisin sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Prepare Ingredients: Cook potstickers and edamame; slice vegetables and fruits; cut nori into small circles for the facial features.

Step 02

Arrange Lettuce Base: Lay lettuce leaves in a curving line on a large serving platter to form the dragon's body.

Step 03

Create Dragon Scales: Layer BBQ pork, shrimp, and potstickers along the lettuce leaves to mimic dragon scales.

Step 04

Add Color Accents: Distribute sliced cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, mango, and dragon fruit to define the dragon’s body and tail with vibrant colors.

Step 05

Sculpt Dragon Head: Assemble the dragon’s head at one end using edamame, mango, and dragon fruit; place nori circles for eyes and black olives or grapes for nostrils; use chives or green onions as whiskers.

Step 06

Garnish Platter: Sprinkle fresh cilantro sprigs for added color and freshness.

Step 07

Arrange Dipping Sauces: Place soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and hoisin sauce in small bowls around the platter.

Step 08

Serve: Present immediately; allow guests to pick and dip preferred bites.

Required equipment

  • Large serving platter or board
  • Sharp knife
  • Small bowls for sauces
  • Tongs or chopsticks

Allergen information

Review each ingredient to identify potential allergens and if uncertain, please consult a healthcare professional.
  • Contains soy (soy sauce, edamame), shellfish (shrimp), gluten (potstickers, soy sauce, hoisin), and sesame (if added).
  • Verify all ingredient labels for hidden allergens and adjust accordingly.

Nutritional values (per serving)

These values are provided as a general guide only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 210
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Carbs: 24 g
  • Protein: 13 g