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The most common Chinese New Year foods include dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and niangao. We've rounded up 7 essential Chinese, or Lunar, New Year dishes, and included the symbolism behind them all. 1. Fish — an Increase in Prosperity. In Chinese, "fish" (鱼 Yú /yoo/) sounds like 'surplus'. Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish on ...
Jan 1, 2024 · Glutinous rice cake is made of glutinous rice and is very sticky. Eating glutinous rice cake during the new year symbolizes “sticking” families together, implying people’s reunion in the new year. Glutinous rice cake is also a delicious snack in the Spring Festival, especially in the Wuyishan area of southern China.
- Dumplings. Resembling coin purses, dumplings are said to bring wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture. Traditionally filled with a mixture of meat, tofu, egg, and/or vegetables, dumplings are a staple of Chinese cuisine and a must-have at every Lunar New Year table.
- Spring rolls. The crisp, golden shell of the fried egg roll symbolizes gold, and is meant to bring wealth and prosperity to those who eat them. Spring rolls are so popular on Lunar New Year that their name actually comes from one of the holiday’s titles — The Spring Festival.
- Tang Yuan. The shape and pronunciation of this traditional Chinese dessert symbolize unity, both with your romantic partner, and with your family. There is even a lucky saying that is traditionally expressed when eating this treat: “Tuántuán yuányuán,” which means, “Happy family reunion!”
- Bamboo shoots. Bamboo shoots are a traditional Chinese dish and are commonly enjoyed on the holiday. They symbolize well wishes and wealth. Bamboo shoots can be cooked in a variety of ways and are often prepared and served as a vegetable component in many dishes.
- Spring Rolls 春卷 (chūn juǎn) Eggrolls are probably the most well-known of Chinese cuisine. However, they’re actually “spring rolls.” They are eaten during the Spring Festival in Southern China to celebrate the coming of spring.
- Dumplings 饺子 (jiǎo zi) Another well-known dish, dumplings are the northern equivalent of spring rolls. They are eaten during every special occasion, but are the most significant during Chinese New Year.
- Noodles 长面 (cháng miàn) In some places, it’s custom to cook dumplings and noodles together. This is called gold silk and gold ingots. It’s yet another dish to express people’s wishes for prosperity.
- Steamed Fish 蒸鱼 (zhēng yú) Fish is a must for the Chinese New Year. Why does fish symbolize surplus and wealth? In Chinese, fish 鱼 (yú) has the same pronunciation as 余, which means “surplus” or “extra.”
- Jiǎozi, Chinese dumplings. Chinese New Year celebrations aren't just about enjoying a meal together — they're also about spending precious time with your family preparing the meal together.
- Nián gāo, Chinese New Year cake. A cake is typically at the forefront of any celebration, and this is no exception. In Northern China, people make nián gāo by steaming glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water together in a small woven bowl lined with banana leaves.
- Yú, steamed fish. Steamed fish is a simple meal that retains the complex, natural flavors of the fish while adding aromatic notes from peppercorns, ginger, and scallions, along with a soy sauce dressing.
- Chūn juǎn, spring rolls. Spring rolls are a beloved appetizer in Chinese restaurants worldwide due to their crispy, paper-thin pastry and savory, umami-packed filling.
Jan 31, 2024 · These are the most important Chinese New Year Foods and their meanings: 1. Dumplings. Dumplings, a staple of Chinese cuisine, are associated with wealthiness: according to tradition, the more dumplings you eat during the New Year celebrations, the more money you can make in the New Year.
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4 days ago · Happiness. Symbolic dishes like sweet rice balls and spring rolls are prepared to bring joy and happiness into the home during the Chinese New Year. Sweet rice balls, known as Tangyuan, symbolise family togetherness and completeness. Their round shape represents unity and harmony within the family.
