Every kitchen is bubbling with anticipation as soon as the Lunar New Year approaches. Food takes prominence during this auspicious moment, with dishes that carry deep symbolic meanings of luck and prosperity.
As an absolutely essential component of the celebration, food also gravitates togetherness.
While the grand feast is an iconic part of the Lunar New Year festivities, for many, it’s the joy of sharing a special meal with loved ones that truly captures the spirit of the occasion.
Let’s dig into the seven Lunar New Year lucky foods bursting with well-wishes for the year ahead.
Changshou Mian - longevity
The famous "long-life noodles are served during both Chinese New Year and birthdays, especially for elders. These two-foot-long strands illustrate a wish for longevity. Prepare it fried or served in a simple broth for a constant reminder to savour life’s longer, happier moments.
Chun Juan - wealth and a fresh start
Spring rolls, with their crispy golden wrappers, are another Chinese New Year favourite. These crispy delights, filled with a mix of vegetables and pork, are deep-fried to perfection, expressing wealth and prosperity. While many enjoy them pre-fried, in some regions, you can assemble your own by wrapping fillings in soft pancake-like wrappers. It’s a tasty tradition that adds a personal touch.
Dayu Darou - surplus and fortune
No Lunar New Year feast truly dazzles without the indulgent spectacle of "big fish and big meat", where animal proteins steal the spotlight in a feast of grand proportions. A whole fish, depicting both prosperity and abundance, often steals the spotlight, steamed to perfection with regional twists. There’s a blessing that goes: “Nian Nian You Yu” in Chinese, meaning “May you have surpluses and bountiful harvests every year.”
Fruits - prosperity
Good fortune fruits that thrive in the cold, such as oranges, tangerines, and pomelos, are given as gifts. Their vibrant colours and round shapes signify prosperity and good fortune. Kumquats, small and sweet with a slight tang, are eaten whole, skin and all, while pomelos reward the patient with their juicy, tart sweetness.
Jiaozi - wealth
A cauldron of water poised to cook jiaozi (dumplings) has become a beloved tradition for families around the globe, originating from northern China where wheat flour was once the key ingredient for dumpling wrappers. While some take pride in handcrafting the wrappers, others opt for convenient pre-made skins from local noodle shops. The fillings are a canvas for creativity, with ground pork often mixed with shrimp, Shaoxing wine, ginger, and vegetables, or a vegetarian version featuring radishes, tofu, and mushrooms. Have it boiled, steamed, or pan-fried into crispy potstickers - jiaozi is a versatile, delicious dish, enjoyed fresh or frozen.
Nian Gao - rise in career and salary
A true staple of Chinese New Year is the Glutinous Rice Cake. It boasts a rich 1,500-year history, originally crafted as an offering to gods and ancestors. This delightful treat is made from glutinous rice flour, yet its variations in ingredients and flavours are a reflection of regional diversity. It’s truly a delight in the mouth.
Tang Yuan - family reunion
Glutinous Rice Balls are a delectable and auspicious treat traditionally enjoyed during the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Festival). However, in many corners of Southern China, they also make a star appearance during Chinese New Year celebrations. Unlike the classic dumpling, the dough for Tang Yuan is crafted from glutinous rice flour, encasing a variety of delightful fillings like bean paste, brown sugar, and a medley of fruits and nuts. A sweet bite of luck and joy!