For decades, Chinese New Year catering in Sydney meant one thing. A yum cha lunch, or a dumpling platter, or a whole roast duck. That is still the heart of the celebration for many families. But a growing number of Sydney offices, particularly those with a mixed multicultural team, are now ordering CNY spreads that draw on more than one cuisine on the same table.
Quick answer
Sydney's Chinese New Year period runs late January to mid February. Beyond traditional yum cha and dumpling catering, more Sydney offices are ordering multicultural spreads that mix Chinese with other Asian and Latin American food. Argentum's empanadas make a good addition to a Lunar New Year office lunch, party spread, or multicultural community event. Party Box (60 empanadas) suits 15 to 20 people, Corporate Box (100) covers 25 to 33. Halal, vegetarian and vegan options available on request.
Where the multicultural spread is coming from
Sydney offices are more diverse than they have ever been. A Surry Hills tech team of forty might include Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Filipino, Australian and Latin American colleagues. When that team celebrates Lunar New Year, a single cuisine spread often does not reflect the room. The response is a mixed table.
A typical multicultural CNY office lunch in a Sydney workplace we have catered for looks something like this. Steamed dumplings and bao from a nearby Cantonese kitchen. A rice or noodle dish. Fresh salads. And a warm hand held option that everyone can grab on the walk back to a desk. Empanadas fill that last slot well.
Why empanadas work at a Lunar New Year office lunch
- Portable. No chopsticks required. Grab and eat.
- Dietary flexible. Vegan, vegetarian, halal on request. Buddhist colleagues, halal colleagues, and pescatarians can all eat from the same platter with the right selection.
- Warm. A hot food option on a table that otherwise features cold or room temperature dishes.
- Familiar but different. Everyone at a Sydney office knows what an empanada is. It reads as festive without competing with the CNY food.
- Six flavours. Beef (Carnivore), chicken (Athlete), ham and mozzarella (Hamazing), three cheese (Classic), spiced vegan (Patagonia), Argentinian Lebanese (Habibi Yalla). Something for every guest.
Lunar New Year in Sydney, briefly
Sydney's Lunar New Year celebrations are among the largest outside Asia. Programming typically includes the Chinatown parade through Haymarket, lantern installations at Circular Quay and Chinatown, dragon boat races at Darling Harbour, food festivals at Cabramatta and Chatswood, and community events at temples and cultural centres across the city.
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February (Year of the Sheep). Many workplaces observe the following two weeks with team lunches, client hospitality, and community events. The window for booking catering is early January to late February.
Building a menu for a CNY office lunch
The multicultural approach. Roughly half traditional Chinese food, a third Argentinian empanadas, a fifth salads and sides. For a 30 person office lunch, that might look like:
| Component | Source | Portion |
|---|---|---|
| Steamed dumplings and bao (mixed pork, chicken, vegetable) | Local Cantonese caterer or dumpling shop | 4 to 5 pieces per person |
| Argentum Corporate Box (100 empanadas, mixed flavours) | Argentum | 3 empanadas per person |
| Fresh salad platter (Asian slaw, green salad) | Local caterer | Full serve |
| Fruit platter (mandarins, oranges are traditional for luck) | Grocer or caterer | Full serve |
Total food per person works out generous. Empanadas provide a warm, hand held course that pairs cleanly with cold dumplings and salads.
Halal and vegan considerations
Any Sydney workplace CNY spread should assume mixed dietary needs. Argentum offers halal empanadas on request with five days notice. The vegan Patagonia (roasted vegetables, chimichurri, tofu) and the vegetarian Classic (three cheese, caramelised onion) also cover a significant part of any office. See the catering collection for full dietary information.
Delivery to Chinatown, Cabramatta, Chatswood venues
Argentum delivers Sydney wide, including to Chinatown (Haymarket), Cabramatta, Chatswood, Ashfield and Burwood community centres and event venues. If the event is at a private hall, restaurant or temple, we can coordinate a delivery window with the venue's event coordinator. Book five to seven days ahead for Lunar New Year period as delivery capacity fills.
Cross cultural dinner party at home
For a family or friends CNY celebration at home, a mixed feast is a warm and generous format. A 12 pack of Argentum ($52) as a warm starter, hot pot or a roast duck as the main, steamed greens, rice, oranges and pineapple for luck. A Chef's Box ($85, feeds 5 to 7) covers a longer sitting where empanadas are the pass around bite while the main courses are prepared.
Corporate CNY hospitality
Sydney law firms, banks and consulting firms frequently host client CNY drinks in the two weeks after New Year's Day. A canape and drinks format for 30 to 50 guests works well with a Corporate Box plus a smaller supplementary order of siu mai or spring rolls. Book three business days ahead for standard orders, five days ahead if halal preparation is required.
FAQ
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February (Year of the Sheep). Celebrations typically run for the two weeks following. Chinese New Year 2028 falls on Tuesday 26 January (Year of the Monkey).
Can Argentum cater a multicultural office CNY lunch?
Yes. A Corporate Box (100 empanadas, $499) with mixed flavours pairs well with a dumpling or bao order from a local Cantonese kitchen. We handle the Argentinian portion and coordinate delivery timing with your other caterer. See the catering collection.
Do you deliver to Chinatown, Cabramatta or Chatswood?
Yes. We deliver Sydney wide including Chinatown, Cabramatta, Chatswood, Ashfield and Burwood. Book five to seven days ahead during Lunar New Year period.
What are the kids friendly options?
Classic (three cheese, caramelised onion) and Hamazing (ham and mozzarella) are the two most kid friendly flavours. Both are mild and familiar to most Australian kids. Franui frozen chocolate raspberries are a good dessert add for a family celebration.
What vegan and vegetarian options are available for Buddhist guests?
Patagonia is fully vegan (roasted vegetables, chimichurri, tofu). Classic is vegetarian (three cheeses, caramelised onion). Both are made in the same kitchen as meat empanadas but can be plated separately. Let us know at order if strict vegan or vegetarian separation is required.
Are there empanadas that align with lucky food symbolism?
Golden colour is considered auspicious for Lunar New Year, and baked empanadas fit that visual. A round shape (a plate of empanadas arranged in a circle) also symbolises unity and completeness in Chinese food tradition. This is a stretch but the visual works well on a CNY table.
What is the minimum order for CNY catering?
The retail minimum is $48. For catering boxes, the smallest is the Chef's Box ($85, feeds 5 to 7). Family Box ($132), Party Box ($279 frozen or $319 baked) and Corporate Box ($499) scale up from there.
Do you deliver on weekends during Lunar New Year?
Yes, we deliver Saturdays and most Sundays. Weekend delivery slots fill fastest during Lunar New Year weekends. Book at least five days ahead for weekend delivery.
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