During Chinese New Year, people have a long list of things to do. From one week preceding the festival to the 15th day after, many Chinese New Year customs are widely observed for thousands of years. The family reunion dinner, eating dumplings, and setting off firework are the must-dos that you might know. What else interesting do the Chinese do? The auspicious symbolism of these traditional Chinese New Year foods is based on their pronunciations or appearance. Not only do the dishes themselves matter, but also the preparation, and ways of serving and eating mean a lot. The most common Chinese New Year foods include dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and niangao. We've rounded up 12 The act of sharing and enjoying these delectable pockets during the New Year celebrations becomes a communal tradition that extends beyond culinary delight, fostering a sense of togetherness and the belief in the prosperous journey that lies ahead. 20. Niangao (Chinese New Year Cake) Dumplings Caitriana Nicholson/Flickr. 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 Glutinous rice cake – Niangao is also a common New Year food, as its name sounds like “getting higher year-on-year,” a wish for prosperity. 2. Chow Mein Noodles. Longevity noodles (Chang Shou Mian / chung-show mien) are another unsurprising addition to the Chinese New Year table. BETTER THAN TAKEOUT – Chicken Wonton Soup Recipe. Wonton, homonymous with “chaos”, meaning the chaos before the new beginning, and eating wonton symbolizes the new beginning. From sharing food with family to visiting temples and more, here are common Chinese New Year traditions you need to remember for a prosperous year The new year signifies a year of fresh begi Traditions . Aside from New Year’s Eve, there are other important days of the 15-day Chinese New Year Festival, including:. JIE CAI CENG: Welcoming the Gods of Wealth and Prosperity Chinese New Year Dumplings - Better Changes 6. Tang Yuan-Family Reunion. Tang Yuan- sweet soup with balls- is a symbol of family reunion in Chinese culture. It is a tradition for people in the south of China to eat Tang Yuan on New Year’s Eve. Eating Tang Yuan symbolizes a sweet and happy life. 7. Spring Rolls Food is one of the things that the Chinese take the most pride in. And of course, a lot of care and thought is put into the menu for the most important holiday of the year. As with Chinese New Year activities and decorations, the dishes are created to give blessings for the next year. Special Foods and Festive Customs of Chinese New Year. Food is an essential part of Chinese New Year celebrations, with each dish carrying symbolic meanings. 饺子 jiǎozi (dumplings) are similar in shape to 元宝 yuánbǎo, which were a kind of gold and silver ingot used as currency in Imperial China. Year of the snake. This new year is the year of the snake. According to the Chinese zodiac signs, each year in the lunar cycle is associated with a particular animal.This is a 12-year cycle that The Origins of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year originated from ancient agricultural rituals at the end of the year, aimed at thanking the heavens and ancestors for blessings. A legend tells of a beast called “Nian” that caused chaos, prompting people to use firecrackers, red decorations, and firelight to scare it away. China will come alive with red lanterns, firecrackers, and joyous family gatherings, but Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, is far more [] Chinese New Year Food Guide 2025: Tradition Meets Innovation. Welcome to the Year of the Snake! In 2025, Chinese New Year isn’t just about dazzling fireworks and red envelopes. Ultimately, Chinese New Year is a vibrant celebration steeped in tradition, and food plays a central role in these festivities. Each dish carries special wishes for the year ahead. For a taste of cultural exploration beyond Chinese New Year food, check out our website’s guide to traditional Egyptian food. CHINESE NEW YEAR CUSTOMS. red envelopes. Chinese Lunar New Year is a time when evil spirits, ill fortune and bad luck are swept out and various observances and activities are taken to welcome the new year. Grudges are forgotten; arguments are settled; old things are thrown out. Welcome to the Year of the Snake! In 2025, Chinese New Year isn’t just about dazzling fireworks and red envelopes. It’s a food lover’s paradise where ancient flavors dance with modern twists. Ready to dive into a world where tradition and innovation create culinary magic? Let’s explore how Chinese New Year food is transforming in 2025! What are some special foods for the new year? Each culture has its own list of special foods during the new year, including dumplings, rice cakes, spring rolls, tangerines, fish and meats. In the Chinese culture, for example, “changshou mian” or “long-life noodles” are consumed with a wish for a long, healthy and happy life. During the Chinese New Year, there are rich and colorful customs, strong New Year atmosphere and family affection, embodying the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Chinese New Year has a long history of nearly four thousand years and has formed some relatively fixed customs and traditions in its inheritance and development. If you want to experience Chinese culture during the Chinese New Year period, China Highlights' tours offer you the opportunity to celebrate a traditional Chinese New Year with a local family. See our most recommended tours below: 11-Day Classic Wonders of China Tour: top China sights and Chinese New Year celebrations with a local family in Guilin
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