During Chinese New Year, the kinds of foods served and the gifts guests should bring when visiting friends and family are important customs to consider. These are some traditional dishes and food items you can find in a Chinese home during this festive season.
Photo credit: Pinterest
Dumplings
What they symbolise: wealth
Did you know that dumplings have a history dating back more than 1,800 years? Widely popular in China, especially in the north, it is traditional for Chinese families to make and eat dumplings together on CNY Eve. Formed in the shape of a Chinese silver ingot, it is said that the more dumplings you shove into your mouth, the more wealth you will accumulate in the new year!
Photo credit: wikiHow
Glutinous rice cake
What it symbolises: growth
We’re talking about work promotions, grades in school, height… anything you want to ”grow“! From Chinese to English, ”glutinous rice cake“ translates literally to “higher by the year”. In Hong Kong and Guangdong, it’s usually sweetened with brown sugar, then steamed and sometimes also pan-fried.
Photo credit: Rasa Malaysia
Glutinous rice balls
What they symbolise: reunion
Gotta love glutinous rice balls for their chewy texture and traditional fillings like sesame and peanut. Their round shape signifies family togetherness, when everyone comes together for a reunion. They’re typically served in a sweet, clear broth that’s heavy on the ginger.
Photo credit: The New York Times
Longevity noodles
What they symbolise: long life
More traditionally served in China, legend has it that the longer the noodles served to you, the longer you will live!
Photo credit: Nicole Lana
Tangerines
What they symbolise: luck and success
Pump up your loved ones’ and your own luck when you display or gift someone tangerines. Not only are they bright and orange, resembling golden ingots, the Chinese pronunciation for tangerine can either sound like ”success“ or ”luck“.
Photo credit: Chinese New Year
Fish
What it symbolises: prosperity
In Chinese, the word for ”fish“ (鱼 – yú) has the same pronunciation as 余, which means “surplus” or “extra”. A typical CNY blessing is 年年有余 (nián nián yǒuyú), wishing someone to have a surplus (or fish) of food and money that year.
For more articles like this, like Foodie on Facebook
