Celebrate Lunar New Year with food and a fold-it-yourself fire horse

East and Southeast Asians everywhere are gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which this year falls on 17 February and lasts for 15 days.

Each Chinese zodiac year has a corresponding element within the cycle - and as we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, this zodiac year offers a justification for major life changes. It’s associated with high-stakes action, personal growth, and a supercharged pace of life.

And since it only comes around once every 60 years on the zodiac calendar, some of us won’t see it again in this lifetime.

To celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse, we spoke to author Angela Hui, who shared her love for Lunar New Year and the precious memories made with loved ones, along with a delicious recipe you can make at home.

But before you head into the kitchen to try, why not make your own fire horse using the Chinese art of paper folding, courtesy of Tesco? Simply print the sheet below and watch the instructions in the video above.

Lunar New Year is one of my favourite times. AKA “Asian Christmas” for many families, it’s the biggest holiday in the calendar.

It’s a time for family reunions, honouring ancestors and welcoming good fortune.

What I love most about going home is the chance to cook with my chef mum. As clichéd as it sounds, food is our love language. It’s how we talk to each other.

When we cook together, time seems to disappear. We gossip like aunties while pleating dumplings or chopping vegetables quietly side by side. There’s something so comforting about that unspoken kitchen rhythm. Just being in each other’s presence is enough, and words aren’t always needed.

Food also shapes how we plan the celebration itself. In Chinese culture, it’s customary to serve symbolic foods that represent