In Chinese, "fish" (鱼 Yú /yoo/) sounds like 'surplus'. Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish on the Chinese New Year dinner menu. Chinese people always like to have a surplus at the end of the year, because they think if they have managed to save something at the end of the year, then they can make more in the next year. “Ji” sounds like “lucky” in Chinese, making this dish a symbol of good fortune. A whole chicken signifies family unity and completeness, promising a harmonious year together. Whole Steamed Chicken, a centrepiece in Lunar New Year celebrations, goes beyond culinary delight to embody profound symbols of good fortune and family unity. Most Americans consider January 1 the start of the new year, but many Asians and Asian-Americans don’t. Instead, they follow Lunar New Year, also referred to as Chinese New Year in the U.S., which begins on January 29, 2025. (That’s the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, BTW.) Discover 10 must-have dishes and their meanings, from dumplings for wealth to fish for abundance. Eat your way to luck! Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time to gather with loved ones, share blessings, and enjoy symbolic dishes that usher in good fortune. The Year of the Snake 🐍 (蛇年) is fast approaching!In 2025, the Chinese Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, and the celebration lasts at least 15 days.To help you prepare for celebratory meals, I’ve curated 30 popular recipes for this most important occasion. 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. 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. 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. Related: 100 Chinese New Year Wishes to Honor the Lunar New Year In addition to a traditional Chinese rice pudding recipe below, you'll also find recipes for dim sum and more classics like Dan Dan 5. Chinese New Year Dumplings - Better Changes. Dumpling is a must-eat dish in Northern China, where eating dumplings means life will be better. Because the shape of the dumpling is like a gold ingot, eating dumplings on New Year’s Eve also has the meaning of “ushering in wealth and prosperity”. Being born in a typical Chinese family in Malaysia, I have decades of experience tasting Chinese New Year dishes, both home-cooked and from restaurant. As time goes by, I realised the same type of dishes keep appearing on the table during Chinese New Year and I started to wonder why. The Significance of Food for Chinese New Year 2025. Food is key in Chinese New Year celebrations. Many dishes carry special meanings. In Hong Kong, hong kong chinese new year food is a big part of the fun, with special menus at restaurants. The 8 chinese new year food symbols are very important. They stand for good luck, wealth, and plenty. Chinese New Year Recipes. The Lunar New Year, known in China as chūnjié (春节) or Spring Festival, is a festive time for many all over the world. The holiday features fireworks, new clothes, money-filled red envelopes (or hóngbāo – 红包) for kids, lots of red, and most importantly, tons of good food. Chinese New Year food traditions Here are eight lucky dishes and food you must during this roaring Chinese New Year. RECOMMENDED: The best Chinese New Year snacks for 2023 Been there, done that? Green is a color associated with wealth and currency, so leafy greens like lettuce, spinach and bok choy are often served as a Chinese New Year food. During Chinese New Year, these foods are often included in stir fry, soups, spring rolls and salads. The hope is some of that promised prosperity will manifest in your new year. 6. Dumplings Chinese New Year is not over yet and we are ready to feast for more. As the old adage says, eating the right food is important in this festive season as it will shower us with abundance and good fortune all year-long. And here are the must-have 8 dishes in this Chinese New Year. Without any of it, it just feels that something is missing. They are Prosperity Yee Sang, Fish, Prawns, Chicken Start your 2025 Chinese New Year celebrations with the must-have dish of the new year season, yu sheng! Bursting with vibrant, fresh ingredients, this dish is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. From traditional version or a healthy twist, yu sheng is the perfect way to bring abundance to your CNY feast. Families often like to prepare the dough and fillings for dumplings together before the New Year's feast. Fish is another must-have dish for the reunion dinner for its auspicious meaning. In Chinese, "fish" (鱼 Yú /yoo/) sounds like 'surplus' and symbolizes abundance. Check out some other traditional Chinese New Year lucky foods! Radish cake . Radish cake is a must in every Chinese New Year celebration. Food culture and Chinese etymology expert Siu Yan Ho told CNN International that white radish is called “choi tau” or “cai tou” in certain parts of China, which sound like “good luck” in their language.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.