Chinese New Year 2022 is just around the corner. So time to dive into Chinese culture and learn about the significance of certain 福ood (food) that will bring you good luck!
Fish
First up on the list, we got fish! Every reunion dinner meal will have a fish dish. There’s a saying in Mandarin “年年有余“ (nián nián you yú) which means having an abundance of money or harvest every year. The word “余” (yú) has the same pronunciation as “鱼“ (fish). That’s why a fish dish is always included in the reunion dinner menu. If you’re not much of a fish person, just remember eating fish is auspicious.
Longevity Noodles
Next up, we have longevity noodles. As the name implies, longevity noodles are longer than regular noodles and uncut. The longer the noodles, the longer one’s life. Consuming longevity noodles is a symbol of wishing for long life.
Dumplings and Spring Rolls
If anyone is seeking for wealth and prosperity, dumplings and spring rolls are the ones you should be eating. Dumplings are a staple in North Chinese culture. It is believed that if you eat a lot of dumplings during the Chinese New Year, you’ll be able to make more money in the New Year. It's because dumplings are shaped like Chinese ingots. So eating dumplings essentially equates to eating “money”. Similarly, in Eastern China, we have spring rolls which are shaped like gold bars. And hence the symbolism of wealth.
Glutinous Rice Cake
The glutinous rice cake would be suitable for students or people who want career development. In Mandarin, the glutinous rice cake is called “年糕” (nián gáo) which has the same pronunciation as “年高“ which means achieving higher. It’s a good luck charm for those who want to have good grades or a job promotion.
Sweet Rice Balls
Last on the list is the sweet rice balls. The circular shape of the rice balls represents togetherness. Eating it with your family would mean wishing for everyone to be together. Besides Chinese New Year, there are other occasions like the "Dongzhi Festival" where rice balls are eaten.
Our list only covers the more common food items that have significance in Chinese culture. We hope this article has piqued your interest and prompted you to find out more about Chinese food.
Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year!
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