More Than a Meal—A Celebration of Meaning
The New Year table changes from a place for eating to a place of sharing wishes, blessings and cultural legends during the Chinese New Year. The dishes prepared at festivities are significant for their meanings, as well as for the way they taste. Every piece of dim sum means much more than just food, because it is shaped by centuries of recipes and beliefs.
Fish (鱼 Yú) – Surplus and Abundance
During Chinese New Year, it has become a tradition to serve fish, steamed whole. Fish in China is known as yú which means “surplus.” People often say “年年有余” (nián nián yǒu yú), meaning you will always have luck and enough to spare, when they wish someone a happy Chinese New Year with the dish. Having the fish from head to tail on your plate shows you hope for a great beginning and a great ending to the year. For some families, unfinished rice is left on each plate as a sign that their fortunes will not end anytime soon.
Dumplings (饺子 Jiǎo Zi) – Wealth and Fortune
The rounded shape of a dumpling makes it a symbol of wealth. New Year’s Eve is a time for families to cook tamales together which brings everyone close. Midnight dumplings usually contain meats and vegetables and are a favorite meal at New Year’s Eve for many. A lucky dumpling might have a coin inside—anyone who comes across it is believed to be especially lucky.
When you serve Glutinous Rice Cake (年糕 Nián Gāo), you are serving the concept of moving up and achieving more.
This sweet rice cake is enjoyed at Chinese New Year as a sign of looking ahead to new opportunities. Gāo, meaning “tall,” and nián (year), create a wish for improvement in career, position or education. This sticky snack is a treat given to ancestors too, showing hope for ongoing good luck in the family. It’s customary to give them to friends and neighbors to share what Christmas means to you.
Longevity Noodles (长寿面 Cháng Shòu Miàn) – Health and Long Life
Because of their long, uncut shape, longevity noodles represent the hope for long and good lives. Lien bel is traditionally either stir-fried or served in a broth, ensuring the pieces are never cut. They are meant to be eaten whole, if possible, since doing so expresses the right meaning. It’s served to honor the elderly or those hoping to enjoy good health in the year to come. Even though longevity noodles may be basic, they’re a reminder that anything can have spiritual meaning.
Spring Rolls (春卷 Chūn Juǎn) – Wealth and Fresh Beginnings
These golden crispy rolls may be tasty, but they are most famous for showing off wealth. Dollars are usually designed like gold bars, showing a sense of wealth and wealthiness. Usually cooked with vegetables, pork or bean sprouts and deep-fried, they’re a popular snack in the autumn months. The name “spring” makes the rolls connected to new life and a fresh start.
Sweet Rice Balls (汤圆 Tāng Yuán) – Unity and Family
When they are round, soft and have sweet fillings such as sesame or peanut paste, sweet rice balls are a symbol of family reunion. The circle means wholeness and people often eat them at family celebrations, especially on the Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15th day of Chinese New Year). Shared by families during the festival, eating tāng yuán in a sweet soup helps both family members and guests enjoy togetherness.
Turnip Cake (萝卜糕 Luó Bo Gāo) – Luck and Promotion
Being made from shredded radish and rice flour, turnip cake is thought to bring good health and success at work. In Mandarin, radish is called cái tóu which sounds like “good fortune,” and gāo recommends moving forward. Many Southern Chinese families prefer their pan-fried dumplings golden brown and they often serve them at both early morning and formal banquet meals. It’s hearty, flavorful, and full of symbolic promise.
Steamed Chicken (全鸡 Quán Jī) – Togetherness and Oneness
To serve a whole chicken means you appreciate family unity and are complete. The dish stands for peace in the family and a balanced way of life. In certain homes, a whole chicken is prayed to and shared once the ancestors are remembered before dinner. Having the flag visible reminds diners of where they come from and why it is important to keep uniting over generations.
Braised Mushrooms with Fat Choy (发菜 Fà Cài) – A Dish for Wealth and Prosperity
Many people add braised mushrooms to fat choy for a dish that brings good fortune in the new year. The reason for this is that, in Cantonese, fà cài is the same as saying “getting rich” (发财). By including earthy mushrooms such dishes can bring luck and prosperity regarding business and wealth. Entrepreneurs and financial goal-setters seem to love it the most.
Fruit – Blessings, Wealth, and Happiness
Chinese New Year is celebrated with lots of mandarins and oranges. Because they are round and gold in color, many believe they stand for good luck like coins. Cantonese calls orange kam which is a key pronunciation for gold. Oranges are traditionally given as a sign of wishing wealth and luck during a visit to someone’s home. Their appearance and taste make pomelos a symbol of prosperity and people all sharing together inside the family.
Tray of Togetherness – A Sweet Start
Seen most often on coffee tables to welcome visitors, Tray of Togetherness has a circular or octagonal shape and is packed with treats that symbolize happiness and good luck.
- Candied lotus seeds – fertility and new beginnings
- Candied coconut strips – togetherness
- Watermelon seeds – joy and growth
- Dried kumquats – good luck
- Red dates – prosperity and happiness
It’s not just for snacks—it’s also a tasty and cheerful way to celebrate at the start of a new year.
Beyond Taste: Sharing Intentions and Blessings
All the food served during Chinese New Year comes with a special background. They aren’t only recipes inherited from the past; they are foods that bring people together in love. Preparing these special menu items, sharing them and enjoying the meal is the way families show their hopes for the year: more possessions, true joy, better health and lasting togetherness for everyone. One reason food is so significant in Chinese culture is that it can express things we can’t always put into words.
Celebrate with the Flavors of Luck – CNY Goodies
Food is a centerpiece of Chinese New Year; even festive snacks are a big part of it. During reunion dinners and home visits, families eat pineapple tarts as well as almond cookies, write love letters to one another and share other foods. These dishes not only taste great but also bring joy, wealth and closeness to mind.
If you’re hoping to get into the festive mood or share it with others, we’ve got you covered. Please visit CNYDelights.com to learn about our CNY Goodies, each one stuffed with tradition and meaning.
