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. An Yan, China program director for the Marine Stewardship Council, says that serving a whole fish at the New Year's Eve dinner has a special significance.A whole fish "reflects the idea of Chinese New Year celebrations revolve around food and family Fish holds special symbolic importance and is integral to the traditional reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve The pronunciation of fish in Mandarin and Cantonese sounds like the words for “surplus” or “abundance”, so eating fish represents hopes for prosperity in the coming year. Bottom-dwelling fish – These could bring stagnation. Birds that scratch backward – Like chickens, they symbolize focusing on the past. Bread with large holes – This represents emptiness, not something you want at the start of a new year. In Conclusion: The Year of the Snake in 2025 brings a fresh breath of change, wisdom, and opportunities. The Lunar New Year meal will almost always include dayu darou—literally "big fish and big meat." The phrase is used to describe any lavish feast where animal proteins play a central role, as opposed to day-to-day eating, in which meat and seafood are used much more sparingly. Chinese New Year (aka the Lunar New Year) is almost here, so try these 26 authentic dishes and the best Chinese recipes to celebrate the Year of the Snake 2025. Fish is a must for the Chinese In Chinese, fish 鱼 (yú) has the same pronunciation as 余, which means “surplus” or “extra.” The typical blessing is 年年有余 (Nián nián yǒuyú), wishing you to have a surplus (or fish) of food and money every year. People will steam a whole fish for the New Year Eve’s dinner. Half of the fish is eaten for dinner, and the One of the most iconic dishes during Chinese New Year is steamed fish, typically served whole. The whole fish represents unity and completeness, symbolizing a complete and prosperous year. The most common choice is a steamed fish recipe with ginger, spring onions, and soy sauce, which enhances the natural sweetness of the fish. 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 Lunar New Year is on the horizon, and you note that it is the biggest feast, the most family-filled, the loudest, the most festive, and the most delicious. This year, it occurs on January 29 and kicks off the Year of the Snake. Tell us a bit about how you prepare for the Lunar New Year in the weeks and days leading up to it. Every year, people around the globe celebrate Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China or, more commonly, the Chinese New Year (via Cnet).Legend has it that at the beginning of each year, a monster by the name of Nian, the Chinese word for "year," would come and eat villagers. Chinese New Year Side Dishes. Even some vegetable dishes are iconic Chinese New Year foods. Buddha’s Delight, consisting of at least 8 ingredients, is often eaten the morning of Chinese New Year after a ceremonial offering of food to honor family ancestors. In this article, we will explore the significance of fish in Chinese culture, the symbolic meaning of fish for wealth and prosperity, the tradition of serving whole fish during Chinese New Year, the superstitions and beliefs associated with eating fish, and the best fish recipes for your Chinese New Year feast. Usually, it takes eight minutes for a smaller fish or 12 minutes for a bigger fish. According to Chef Leung Fai Hung, a fish weighing 1 catty (0.6kg) takes six minutes to steam, while a fish twice the size will take double the time. This steamed whole fish dish is a must-have for Chinese New Year celebrations, representing wishes for abundance and a smooth year ahead. The fragrant ginger, scallions, and soy sauce complement the tender fish, while the sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor. Similarly, Koi fish, symbols of perseverance, strength, and good fortune, hold special significance during Chinese New Year as they represent prosperity and abundance for the year ahead. Continue Reading Chinese legend tells us that the holiday began when a great dragon-like beast, the Nian (which sounds very much like the Chinese word for “year”), would appear every Lunar New Year’s Eve Steam for 9 minutes and turn off the heat. Use a butter knife to peek at the meat and confirm the fish is cooked through. The meat should be opaque down to the bone, but the bone should be slightly translucent and not fully cooked (remember, you will not be eating the bone. Rabbitfish as a symbolic dish in Chinese New Year(CNY) Fish is one of the most eaten food during the Chinese New Year(CNY). The word Fish (鱼yú) has the same pronunciation(余yú) as Chinese idiom 年年有余 (nián nián yǒu yú). Traditional Chinese idiom represents surplus all year round.
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