8 lucky foods for Lunar New Year

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We take a look at 8 lucky foods that you will probably find in any Chinese household this Lunar New Year.

Yu sheng

The Yu Sheng has become an integral part of ushering Lunar New Year and is considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigour. The yu sheng is usually made up of long strips of raw fish and other vegetables and condiments. It is then tossed by all members of the family during the reunion dinner. The toss is known as the 'prosperity toss' and symbolises good tidings for the rest of the year for the whole family.

Whole fish

Steamed fish is a favourite delicacy in most Chinese households and is a staple on most reunion dinner menus. This is because the Chinese word for ‘fish’ is a homonym for ‘abundance’, so eating fish represents having an abundant year. It’s important to serve the fish whole, with the head and tail intact as it is believed that it will ensure a good start and finish to the year.

Nian Gao

Niangao has a history of at least 1,000 years. Early in the Liao Dynasty (907–1125) people in Beijing had the custom of eating New Year cakes on the first day of the first month of the lunar year. During the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), Niangao had already become a common folk snack, and remains so today.

Mandarin oranges

The roundness of Mandarin oranges symbolises happiness, completeness, and wholeness. Their Chinese names are also homonyms (meaning they sound like) for 'gold' and 'luck', respectively. It has also become customary for guests to present Mandarin oranges to their hosts as a token of thanks and luck.

Dumplings

Dumplings are meat or vegetables wrapped in thin dough skin and they have become a staple of Chinese cuisine. They symbolise wealth and are believed to bring abundance and prosperity because their shape resembles a Chinese ingot (ancient money).

Bak Kwa

A popular food item throughout the year, Bak Kwa, a preserved sweet meat (usually made from pork), is especially popular during Chinese New Year. They are usually packaged in bright red festive boxes and to celebrate prosperity, you can also get them shaped like gold coins.

Love letters

These traditional biscuit is a favourite in Singapore and Malaysia and is known as love letters because the crispy, sweet biscuit is emblazoned with auspicious words and symbols, making it a delicious and significant addition to any table.

Melon seeds

These snacks are a symbol of fertility and fecundity signifying growth in the family. You will probably see them in households with newlyweds as parents seek to encourage their children to expand their own family.