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 Each dish served during this festive period carries a special meaning, symbolizing prosperity, luck, and togetherness. As we approach the 2025 celebrations, let’s explore the top 10 traditional Chinese New Year foods that are sure to grace tables across the globe. 1. 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. Also called Spring Festival in most of mainland China, Lunar New Year begins on the night of the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, which is a bit shorter than the 365-day solar year. The 16-day festival season is celebrated with lots of traditional Chinese New Year foods that are prepared, served and eaten in symbolic ways. Chinese people from Shanghai and Suzhou must have “Ruyi food” at the dinner table, wishing them all the best in the new year. In addition, Soybean sprout is a kind of sprouted vegetable, symbolizing rise and growth, which is very auspicious. Chinese New Year food traditions are hugely symbolic. Traditions include serving two whole fish and saving one for leftovers to represent surplus in the new year, serving a whole chicken to represent wholeness and prosperity, and serving items like spring rolls, which resemble gold bars and symbolize wealth. The Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is the most important festival in China: it lasts up to two weeks and is the only time of the year when China shuts down. Unlike Western countries, the Chinese New Year generally falls between January 21st and February 20th in the Gregorian calendar, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. You may think “Lunar New Year” and “Chinese New Year” refer to the same event. That’s not the case! The Lunar New Year celebration in South Korea or Vietnam looks different than a celebration of the Lunar New Year in China. The holidays take place on different dates, too. In 2025, China begins to celebrate its Lunar New Year on 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. This year, the Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. This holiday celebrates the beginning of a new year on the conventional Chinese calendar. Happy Lunar New Year from Goldthread! Whether you say gong xi fa cai (Mandarin) or gong hei fat choy (Cantonese), there are still a few iconic New Year’s dis 20 Traditional Chinese New Year Foods to Bring Luck and Prosperity Upon the bright dawn of Chinese New Year, tradition paints the table with a vivid palette of delicacies, with each mouthful not only a flavour During Chinese New Year, families indulge in the Tray of Togetherness, sample Nian Gao for good luck, and savour an eight-course feast, each steeped in tradition and symbolic meaning. Traditional Chinese Lunar New Year Dinner Table. 50 piece Classic. Photo: Rimma Bondarenko 3. Sweet Rice Cake (Nian Gao) Nian Gao can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert or even used as an ingredient in other dishes. The soft, chewy texture and sweet flavour make it a popular treat among all age groups. By serving lucky Chinese New Year food at the holiday’s reunion dinner—the Reader's Digest. 12 Lucky Foods to Eat for Chinese New Year 2025. Story by Su-Jit Lin • 3w. You see, symbolism accompanies certain ingredients and dishes in Chinese culture, so there are specific lucky foods for Chinese New Year that grace tables every year. To help you understand how to celebrate the Year of the Tiger right, we are excited to explain 8 of the prominent lucky foods eaten this time of year and show you some of our The holiday season isn’t over! Yes, there’s another major celebration coming up for those of Chinese ancestry—the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. For 2020, the revelry will actually extend from January 25th, which is the official start of the Chinese lunar calendar, all the way until February 8th. Chinese New Year Table Settings. Don't forget about the food—while your favorite dishes simmer in the kitchen, lay the dining table with an eye-catching Chinese New Year table setting. A red tablecloth adds a pop of color to the eating area—just add elegant white dinnerware and an embroidered table runner in a neutral color to balance out Chinese New Year food doesn’t always have to incorporate meat. There are options for vegetarians at the table as well. Simply sautéed with oyster or soy sauce, mushrooms are another hearty and traditional Chinese Lunar New Year food. via Canva 11. Jujube. A delightful and sweet traditional Chinese New Year food is jujube.
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