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 essential Chinese, or Lunar, New Year dishes, and included the symbolism behind them all. Because of this, eating fish for the Lunar New Year symbolizes a surplus of wealth at the end of the year. For the festivities, this Chinese New Year food — usually carp — are most often Niangao (Chinese New Year Cake) Niangao, the sticky rice cake , emerges as a culinary metaphor-laden with auspicious meanings. Associated with growth, progress, and the anticipation of a higher income, its name echoes the desire for “increasing prosperity year after year.” In Lunar New Year traditions, revelers believe tangerines, oranges and pomelos bring good fortune. Their Mandarin names echo words with symbolic meanings: "jú" for oranges suggests "good luck" or The Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is the most important festival in China: it lasts up to two weeks. Food plays a big part in this family gathering holiday period. The festive and different kinds of food people eat during this special period are meant to bring families together and symbolize a great new year. Have you ever wondered why certain dishes take centre stage during Chinese New Year celebrations? It’s not just about the tantalising flavours—it’s about tradition, symbolism, and a sprinkle of superstition. For over 2,000 years, Chinese culture has infused food with deeper meaning, believing 1. Steamed whole fish. Fish is a homonym for abundance. It symbolizes the Chinese idiom "May you always have more than you need." When served with the head and tail intact, the fish carries an additional meaning: a positive beginning and end for the coming year. Chinese people eat foods with the symbols of good luck, prosperity, and happiness during the Chinese New Year. The lunar New Year 2025 is coming, try these traditional dishes with auspicious meanings and have good fortune in the new year. 1. Fish - Fortune and Abundance In addition, certain dishes are served throughout the two-week celebration based on their physical appearance: a whole chicken eaten during the Chinese New Year season symbolizes family togetherness, and uncut noodles represent a long life. 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. Chinese New Year is a rich celebration that happens yearly each winter to kick off the New Year in the Chinese astrological calendar. Each year is represented by an animal. 2025, for example, was the Year of the Snake, an animal that represents introspection, strategic planning and personal growth. In addition to Chinese New Year symbols being found in decorations and through traditions, some of the symbols of Chinese New Year are also found in gifts and foods. Red envelopes Family and close friends hand out red envelopes, called hóngbāo in Mandarin, with money in them. ___ Food Symbolism during Chinese New Year Celebrations Chinese like playing with words and symbols. Often homonyms (words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings) are gladly used. Names of dishes and/or their ingrediets which will be served sound similar to words and phrases refering to wishes expressed during the Chinese With roots tracing back some 3,500 years to ancient China, it signifies the end of winter and the arrival of a new year.The festival holds deep importance in Chinese culture and is observed with Today is Chinese New Year 2025, heralding in the Year of the Snake – the Wood Snake, to be exact. Lunar New Year isn’t just celebrated in China though, with countries such as Japan, Thailand Another food you definitely want to put on your Chinese New Year food list for this Year of the Tiger is tang yuan — black sesame filled sweet rice balls that are typically served in a sweet soup. These little balls of joy symbolize a happy family reunion because their name sounds like a Chinese phrase for ‘reunion’ and ‘togetherness’. 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. What kind of food do you eat on Lunar New Year? On Lunar New Year's Eve, many people eat fish, which represents abundance and good fortune.On the final day of the holiday, known as the Lantern The 2025 Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Wood Snake, a time filled with deep cultural meaning and significance. In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with one of the 12 animals 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.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.