Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time for family reunions, celebration, and delicious overabundance of food. Every year my family hosts a dinner that includes a variety of dishes to treat extended family members and friends. Every dish served during this festive time carries a deep cultural significance, often symbolizing good fortune, wealth, longevity, and happiness for the year ahead. Having lived the first 7 years of my life in China, I have grown accustomed to some traditional favorites consumed during this time. From savory to sweet, these foods not only tantalize the taste buds but also carry meaningful traditions that add to the joy of the holiday. Here are five essential foods you should enjoy during Chinese New Year:
Glutinous Rice Balls (Tang Yuan)
One of the most beloved treats for Chinese New Year is tang yuan, or glutinous rice balls. These chewy, sweet dumplings are typically filled with sesame paste, red bean paste, or even peanut butter. Tang yuan are often served in a sweet soup made with ginger and rock sugar, and their round shape symbolizes unity and togetherness. The soft, comforting texture also signifies family harmony and the promise of a smooth year ahead. This year, my family decided to try a variation of these sticky rice balls in a fried form instead of boiled.
Steamed Fish
In Chinese culture, fish is a must-have on the table for Chinese New Year, representing abundance and prosperity. This is one of the dishes I look forward to the most during Chinese New Year. This is also simple to make but delicious and never heavy or greasy. The word for fish sounds like the word for surplus, and eating fish symbolizes that the family will have surplus wealth and good fortune in the coming year. A whole steamed fish, often garnished with ginger, spring onions, and a soy sauce-based dressing, is the perfect dish to celebrate this auspicious occasion. Be sure to leave some fish on your plate, as it’s believed to ensure that good fortune continues to flow into the year.
BBQ Duck (Siu Hak)
BBQ duck is one of the dishes that has children and adults drooling at the table. It’s something I cherish because the entire process of preparing the duck is not an easy feat. Everything from the marinade to the roasting is incredibly tedious and, for myself, it is easier to purchase than to prepare at home. BBQ duck, or siu hak, is a popular choice for Chinese New Year celebrations, especially for those who love savory and aromatic flavors. This dish, characterized by tender meat with crispy, golden skin, is not just delicious but also symbolic. The duck represents happiness, and its deep red color is associated with good luck and wealth.
Dumplings (Jiao Zi)
As a child, my grandma would always prepare dumplings with the other women in the household during Chinese New Year eve. This would be an evening filled with laughter and gossip as everyone shares their favorite memory of the year. Dumplings are another essential food to enjoy during Chinese New Year, especially in Northern China. Jiao zi, the traditional Chinese dumplings, are typically filled with ground pork, vegetables, and sometimes even a hidden coin (though not always for safety reasons these days). Their shape resembles ancient Chinese gold ingots, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Eating dumplings during the New Year is believed to bring financial luck, and making them together as a family is a way to bond while preparing for the blessings to come.