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. The 16-day festival season is celebrated with lots of traditional Chinese New Year foods that are prepared, served and eaten in symbolic ways. Below, you’ll find 15 timeless favorites (and a few simpler-yet-similar alternatives) that are just right for the occasion. 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. While they can be Spring rolls, golden-like ingots, offer wealth, while longevity noodles represent hopes for long, healthy lives. Sweet rice balls snuggled in a warm embrace of syrup symbolize family togetherness, while Nian gao, the year cake, reaches new heights of accomplishment. We've rounded up a list of some of the most commonly found Chinese New Year foods served at gatherings and celebrations in Asian countries and worldwide. Jump to Section. It’s almost time for the Chinese New Year, and to ensure we’re all ready to celebrate, we’ve put together a guide on what to eat during Chinese New Year and the top lucky foods in China. The guide is also packed with useful information on the festival, customs, and things Chinese people do to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year. 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. Chinese Dumplings. If you’ve ever wondered what foods are considered typical Chinese New Year foods, what the “luckiest” Chinese New Year dishes are, and (for those who dare), are looking for some unique Chinese New Year recipes to try, then read on. Celebrate Chinese New Year with symbolic foods that represent luck, prosperity, and happiness. Mark the occasion with traditional dishes like fish, dumplings, whole chicken, spring rolls, Chinese New Year cake, and sweet rice balls. What is Chinese New Year? Plus, 8 Symbolic Foods to Help You Celebrate. From steamed whole fish and poached whole chicken, to dumplings and longevity noodles, here's how to fill your table for a proper Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. 3. Sweet Rice Balls for Unity. Yuanxiao or tangyuan, served in syrup, are sweet glutinous rice balls that hold a special significance during the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Lunar 30 Chinese New Year Foods That Will Bring You Good Fortune. Bowls of congee in Beijing are often served with a donut called 油條 (youtiao) that's commonly served at New Year's celebrations 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. In many parts of China, tang yuan are eaten at the start of the Lantern Festival, marking the end of the Chinese New Year period, but in Shanghai and the south, they're eaten throughout the New Year festivities. The glutinous rice balls might be plain and the size of a small marble, or larger and stuffed with sweet black sesame paste. bhofack2 / Getty Images. The Cantonese word for lettuce sounds like "rising fortune," so it's common to serve lettuce wraps filled with other lucky ingredients. 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. Chef and cookbook author Sohui Kim calls these dumplings a hybrid of Japanese gyoza, Korean mandoo, and Chinese jiaozi. Use thin wrappers to contain a juicy filling of pork, chives, and tofu, then With a history of more than 1,800 years, dumplings are the most well-known Chinese dish in China and other countries in the world. According to ancient legend, the more dumplings you eat during the New Year celebrations, the more money you can make in the upcoming Year. 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. Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine the beef slices with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and Shaoxing wine. Let it marinate for 20 minutes. Prepare the Noodles: Cook the Chinese wheat noodles according to the package instructions.
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