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 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.” Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival) is the most celebrated holiday in Chinese culture around the world. It is the celebration that rings in the start of a new year That’s why we want to show you the most important and lucky Chinese New Year foods. Top Lucky Foods to Eat for the Chinese New Year. Every food in China represents something, and symbolism is associated with every traditional dish eaten for the Lunar Year. These are the most important Chinese New Year Foods and their meanings: 1. Dumplings 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 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 New Year is steeped in traditions and symbolism, with various foods believed to bring good luck and fortune for the year ahead. Fish is a must-have dish, symbolising surplus and abundance. Dumplings (jiaozi) are widely consumed during this time, representing prosperity and wealth due to their resemblance to ancient Chinese money. 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 Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a joyous celebration embraced by many Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and others. On New Year's Eve family dinner, remember not to serve these dishes that are considered "inauspicious". Eating these dishes is thought to bring bad luck to the new year. Porridge. People should not eat porridge on the first day of the lunar new year. The ancient Chinese believed that porridge was associated with being thin and poor. 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 Special foods are an inseparable part of the Chinese New Year celebration. Dishes such as dumplings, noodles, spring rolls, soup, and milkfish are served on the dining table. Each dish carries a symbolic meaning. One popular dish during Chinese New Year is yu sheng, which symbolizes blessings and prosperity. The culinary delights that accompany this festive season are more than just food; they are symbols of luck, prosperity, and togetherness. By exploring and trying out these 50+ Chinese New Year recipes, you not only embrace the rich cultural heritage of China but also create an opportunity to share meaningful moments with your loved ones. 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. Every year, Chinese New Year celebrations often include a feast. Tradition food options include dumpling, steamed fish, noodles and rice cakes. Often these foods are associated with food fortunate for the year ahead. Recently, Daniel Ufland, founder of The Whisky Masters, shared his thoughts on pairing select Chinese dishes with various spirits New Delhi: On Jan. 29, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Snake with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities. In many Asian countries, it is a festival that is celebrated for several days. In diaspora Kho says that tangyuan is commonly served on the fifteenth and final day of the Chinese New Year celebration, which is also the Lantern Festival.Also made from glutinous rice flour—Kho likens the consistency to mochi, another kind of rice cake popular in Japan—tangyuan is served in a thin broth or deep fried. SAN FRANCISCO -- The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is based on cycles of the moon and falls on a different day every year. In 2025, the Year of the Snake begins on Jan. 29. It Names of dishes and/or their ingrediets which will be served sound similar to words and phrases refering to wishes expressed during the Chinese New Year, while other foods hold a symbolic meaning. Food offerings are a prayer or a wish and can be addressed to ancestors and other beings such as the Jade Emperor and The Kitchen God . On Jan. 29, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Snake with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities
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