Lucky foods for Chinese New Year

kmajewski · February 1, 2019, 3:10pm

Here in the United States, particularly in the South, it’s tradition to eat black-eyed peas first thing on New Year’s Day to ensure good luck and prosperity in the new year. In Spain, exactly 12 grapes must be eaten for the promise of a good year, while Italians scramble for lentils at the stroke of midnight. And while New Year’s Day in the Gregorian calendar sense is firmly in the past, Chinese New Year is just around the corner.

On Tuesday, February 5, the Year of the Pig kicks off with celebrations that are also known as the Spring Festival. In addition to spending time with family, setting off fireworks, and exchanging little red envelopes full of money, celebrations typically include foods that are considered lucky in Chinese culture.

Ensure your good fortune in the new year with these five lucky dishes:

1. Dumplings

At the center of many Chinese New Year feasts, you’ll find steamed dumplings. They are said to symbolize prosperity due to their resemblance to an ancient Chinese currency.

2. Spring rolls

Another symbol of prosperity due to their golden color and shape similar to a bar of gold, these rolls get their name for the season they kick off when served during the Spring Festival.

3. Whole fish

A whole steamed fish is often found on the table during celebrations for the new year because the word for fish in Mandarin sounds like the word for surplus, symbolizing a prosperous year ahead. Also, because the fish is whole that prosperity will last the whole year.

4. Peking duck

When cooked, peking duck has crispy, red skin, a very lucky color in Chinese culture that symbolizes happiness. This dish also represents fidelity and wholesomeness in the year to come.

5. Longevity noodles

These nearly two-foot-long noodles are often eaten during the Spring Festival to ensure a long life. Be sure not to cut your longevity short by breaking them!

Do you celebrate Spring Festival? Tell us what lucky foods you eat in the comments below!

MahabubMunna · February 1, 2019, 3:13pm

i love veg or chicken dumpling . south Asian people called it momo too

Esty · February 1, 2019, 4:24pm

Hai @kmajewski ,

Foto kamu terlihat sangat nikmat, apalagi bila disantap saat panas.

Saya juga penggemar pangsit. Terimakasih telah berbagi

Shirley · February 1, 2019, 9:27pm

Hey @kmajewski :

Thanks for sharing this list! Mandarin oranges is another item that we associate with as well during this festive time of year. In Chinese, the word for mandarin oranges phonetically sounds like the same word as “gold” so to have mandarin oranges is like to having gold or another way to say prosperous!

NiroshaJ · February 2, 2019, 6:00pm

Hi,

Thank you for sharing and I feel dumpling may be tasty. I have not eaten but I hope to try with youtube and make it at home.

Thank you

Zahid_opal · February 3, 2019, 1:59am

@.

hi @NiroshaJ !

When are you going make the tasty food at home? Do you like to cooking? don’t forget to share with us after making the tasty food. Thank you !

NiroshaJ · February 3, 2019, 3:54am

Hi, @Zahid_opal ,

Yes. I will share. I cook and if I have time try to make new receipes. .

Thank you,

Nirosha

system · February 3, 2019, 10:11am

I’ll celebrate it with my Chinese friends in Milan. Here are some pictures of Peking duck you can eat here, steamed xiaolongbao and grilled dumplings

Zahid_opal · February 3, 2019, 10:25am

It’s really delicious thanks for sharing @user_not_found .

Signlanguage14 · February 3, 2019, 2:37pm

Pretty accurate!

IshantHP_ig · February 3, 2019, 3:38pm

Thanks @kmajewski

For sharing the tasty feed with us, the food really mesmerizing;)

I also want to share some snaps which i have taken last week, i hope you’ll like it.

@ytsE3 @Signlanguage14 @Signlanguage14 @Zahid_opal @Alessio_Ganci

afrademon · February 3, 2019, 4:01pm

I like Peking duck and chicken dumplings. when I was in China, I took Peking duck almost every time.

Twister411 · February 4, 2019, 6:55am

My family tradition for Chinese New year dish that’s completely vegetarian. I really missed having my dad make that dish since moving away from home more than 20 years ago and I don’t go visit until time summer time. I made this dish last year for my co worker, it had over 15 ingredients.

Another tradition is visiting family and friends. At each home you visit, you’re offered a “candy dish” fill of traditional sweets such as candied ginger, lotus seed, and coconut. Guests are also offered oranges and tea.

Petra_M · February 4, 2019, 9:25am

Hi @kmajewski ,

Thanks for the wonderful post!

I’ve never heard how people celebrate Chinase New Year before, and I found it very interesting. The dishes what they prepare are super delicious, and my favorite is the steamed dumpling. I’m happy to see lots of photos of different foods in comments.

sonnyNg · February 4, 2019, 12:48pm

Hi @afrademon ,

Thanks for sharing with us. What a great looking dinner table!

The roasted duck will need also a great dipping sauce, as it has that tangy spicy flavor. : ]

On the other hand, your post is now available on Connect. I would like to apologize for your post being marked as spam. Our filters run 24/7 and they can be a little harsh at times.

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