The greatest joy of Chinese New Year is probably all the feasting, especially on the eve of the Lunar New Year! Often, superstitions intertwine with the food that you eat during CNY eve. They are often intended to bring good luck for the new year! Here’s a list of 8 lucky foods and what they symbolize in Chinese culture!
Fish – Prosperity
In Mandarin, fish (yú) has the same pronunciation as Surplus (yú). Which explains why Steamed Whole Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish often on the dinner menu. Besides that, there is also a Chinese idiom 年年有余 (níanníanyoǔyú) which means “to have surplus at the end of the year”. Therefore, in Chinese traditions, it is believed that if you manage to save something at the end of the year, you will be able to make more in the new year.
Chinese Dumplings – Wealth
Yummy yummy, dumplings! Not only are they delicious, but also a traditional dish that is often eaten on Chinese New Year’s Eve. Chinese Dumplings represent wealth because they resemble the shape and appearance of Chinese gold ingots. Did you know that different dumpling fillings have different meanings? Often, Chinese sauerkraut dumplings are avoided during the Spring Festival as it implies a poor and difficult future. Therefore, on New Year’s Eve, it is a tradition to eat cabbage and radish dumplings as it implies fair skin and a gentle mood.
Spring Rolls – Wealth
Spring rolls are a traditional food for the Lunar New Year. It is often enjoyed during the Spring season, thus the name. Because of its resemblance to gold bars, Chinese people have the tradition to eat spring rolls to attract good fortune for the coming year!
Glutinous Rice Cake – Career
Glutinous rice cake’s Chinese has the same pronunciation as “getting higher year by year.” Therefore, glutinous rice cake is often eaten during Chinese New Year as it sounds very auspicious and prosperous. Traditionally, this dessert is made with red dates. However, it can also be enjoyed in many different forms such as savoury, black rice with red bean and even ginger.
Sweet Rice Balls – Family
Sweet rice balls, also known as tang yuan, is a popular sweet dessert typically eaten on the 15th day after Chinese New Year. It is traditionally filled with black sesame paste, red bean paste, peanut paste or date paste. Most of the time, it is served in a bowl of warm sweet soup infused with ginger, osmanthus flower or fermented rice wine. Tang yuan represents family togetherness because of its Chinese pronunciation that resembles “togetherness” and “reunion.”
Longevity Noodles – Happiness & Health
In Mandarin, longevity noodles represent long life. Undoubtedly, it symbolizes a wish for longevity. Besides that, the length of the noodles are also extremely long, symbolic of the life of whoever is eating this heartwarming bowl of noodles!
Chicken – Family
During Chinese New Year, a whole chicken is usually prepared and served to represent family togetherness. According to Chinese traditions, chicken represents rebirth during the New Year. In addition, chicken’s feet are often reserved for the breadwinners of the family to help them “grasp” onto more wealth!
Good Fortune Fruit – Wealth
What’s Chinese New Year without mandarin oranges and pomelo fruit? Eating or simply displaying round fruits like tangerines, oranges and pomelos are believed to bring good luck, fortune, and continuous prosperity. Therefore, the more you eat, the more wealth it will bring!
Serve up these lucky dishes with personalized kitchenwares from Photobook Malaysia!
