First and foremost, a very Happy Chinese New Year to all Malaysians. This year, we celebrate the Year of the Tiger with a roar.
When it comes to celebrations, we must not overlook an important component that plays a significant role: food. Tell me, what is a celebration without food?
During the Chinese New Year, several dishes are prepared for their symbolic significance. During the 16-day festival season, lucky food is offered, particularly during the Chinese New Year dinner on New Year’s Eve, which is thought to bring good fortune for the following year.
Let’s have a look at the delicacies that will be offered during the Chinese New Year;
1. Chinese Dumplings
According to legend, the quantity of dumplings eaten during the Chinese New Year foretells how much money you’ll make the following year (the more, the better).
2. Tray of Togetherness
The round Tray of Togetherness, which is usually divided into six or eight compartments, depicts peace and family harmony. Fill the tray with little snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, or candy, such as this strawberry Lucky Candy. You might also serve these Chinese Almond Cookies, which are baked from scratch.
3. Eight Treasure Rice
This traditional delicacy is created with sticky rice and eight “treasures,” which include a variety of seeds, nuts, and fruits, such as plums, jackfruit, and raisins. In Chinese tradition, the number eight is considered lucky, and consuming desserts on this festival symbolizes sweetness for the coming year.
4. Sweet Rice Ball
Tang-yuan (sweet rice balls) are popular during the Chinese New Year for a reason: their circular shape symbolizes unification. Because its name (tang yuan) sounds like the word “reunion” in Chinese, these sticky balls also symbolize harmony and family togetherness.
5. Good Fortune Fruit
Tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are some of the fruits consumed during the Chinese New Year. They were chosen not just because they are exceptionally spherical and “golden” in colour, indicating fullness and richness, but also because they produce a lucky sound when uttered.
6. Prosperity Cake
The split tops of these steamed rice flour cakes (Fa Gao) are well-known. The more slices on the top of your cake, the luckier you’ll be in the new year, according to custom. Fa Gao means “prosperity cake,” so it’s no wonder that these sweets are popular around Chinese New Year.
7. Longevity Noodles
These noodles, known as Changzhou mian (which means “long-life noodles”), can be up to two feet long. (Longevity noodles are popular at birthday parties as well.) The longer the noodle, the luckier you will be, according to Chinese superstition. Just be careful not to break one when cooking, as this is bad luck because it symbolizes a life cut short.
8. Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are thought to bring money and good fortune since they resemble gold bars. Pork, bean sprouts, shredded carrots, cabbage, and many other vegetables can all be stuffed into these deep-fried rolls.
So there you go… an array of delicious delicacies to enjoy during the Chinese New Year festivities with your loved ones.
Source: Taste of home/ China highlights
