Food for Thought: Chinese New Year Edition!
Lunar New Year is the time for everyone to return home and reunite with their family members over a grand feast. The foods eaten that night are not only delicious, but are also very meaningful. I’ve compiled a list of the four most popular and significant traditional foods eaten on Lunar New Year’s Eve!
by Wendy C.
餃子 (Jiaozi) // Dumplings
One of the most iconic dishes, dumplings, are dough balls stuffed with a variety of ingredients like pork, cabbages, and shrimps.
餃子 are especially popular not only because they are delicious, but also because they take the shape of ancient Chinese gold, representing wealth and fortune in the coming year.
魚 (Yu) // Whole steamed fish
The fish meat is tender and full of flavor. It’s usually seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, wine, ginger, and sprinkled with green onion.
The Chinese word for fish has the same sound as the word for “abundance” or “extra left-over” (年年有餘). According to Chinese traditions, you’re not supposed to finish the entire fish, but instead, leave a bit left so that you can manifest prosperity in the coming year.
年糕 (Nian Gao) // Rice Cakes
This sweet and chewy dessert is my personal favorite, especially when stir-fried to perfection, where the outside is slightly crispy while the inside is warm and soft. Trust me, it is so addicting.
The name of this dish is pronounced similarly to “year high” (年年高升), which symbolizes growth and advancement in the coming year, especially regarding corporate positions.
In chinese mythology, it’s used as an offering to the Kitchen God (灶公). When the god eats it, his mouth will be stuck shut and he won’t badmouth the household to the Jade Emperor!
湯圓 (Tang Yuan) // Glutinous Rice Balls
A sweet dessert served hot, perfect for the cold weather. They are often filled with black sesame for a nutty taste and fragrance.
The reason you eat this on Lunar New Year is because 圓 means reunion, thus symbolizing being together with your loved ones.
Lunar New Year is typically known for its flashy fireworks and red envelopes, but it’s also a celebration of love and community. Whether you make these dishes at home with your family or eat out, we hope that with these extra bits of knowledge your meals become a little more meaningful. May your Lunar New Year be filled with warmth, joy, and a belly full of good fortune!
