Introduction
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival or more famously Lunar New Year is one of the most important festivals in Chinese almanac and is celebrated across the world by millions of people. This is a 15 day festival signifying the beginning of the year in the Chinese lunisolar calendar which is a calendar based on lunar phases and solar years. This is a time for reunion, to honor the dead and to establish personal resolutions during the course of the new year. An important characteristic of this colorful event is that food occupies a very important place in traditions and culture before, during and after different ceremonies as well as in entertaining people during the celebration.
In other words, Chinese dishes are a very broad range of meals and tastes that have evolved over a very long period. Well, in this article we shall focus on the appreciation of most traditional CNY goodies that are unique to this festive season.
1. Nian Gao (New Year Cake)
This Chinese New Year dessert is one of the most popular and tasty food of all ages in China. Over the years, this steamed cake has been popular for being a sweet sticky rice cake made from glutinous rice flour that’s blended with brown sugar and steamed until thick and smooth. Nian Gao is normally taken with other ingredients such as sesame seed, nuts, and bean paste.
The name “Nian Gao” directly translates to “year-old higher” Where “higher” is homophonous of “forward better luck” while literally wanting for a higher social status and better luck in the coming year. Nian Gao is mostly known and used in Chinese New Year to symbolise fortune, blessings and prosperity or wealth.
2. Pineapple Tarts
Another popular item in Chinese New Year is Nǎi Pín Gāo, better known as pineapple tarts. These tender, buttery layers of pastry with the yummy pineapple jam inside are equally good and meaningful in addition. The colour gold which has been used in the body of the pineapple symbolizes luck and prosperity.
There are two popular varieties of pineapple tarts: the pineapple balls which are small round and have a shape of a Cantonese character for prosperity and the pineapple tarts with slashes symbolizing progress and prosperity.
3. Bak Kwa (Barbecue Pork Jerky)
Bak Kwa or rougan or hongshaodian as it is commonly referred are Chinese barbecued pork/ bak kwa which is a favorite Chinese delicacy that originated with the Hokkien and Teochew people. Bak Kwa is a legend bakery product prepared from seasoned pork of very thin slice which are slow cooked and then barbecued till dried and tendrerous in taste having very special characteristics of savory and sweet.
Bak Kwa is usually consumed during Chinese New Year festive season because it entails happiness and prosperity. This is why the meat is often brightly red, symbolizing luck, joy and auspiciousness and sweet as a good life to be expected.
4. Ang Ku Kueh (Red Tortoise Shell Cakes)
Ang Ku Kueh is a dough skin cake that originates from the south Teochew which has a round shape and reddish brown in color which resembles tortoise shell. Taifun are little, soft rice flour cakes with sweet mung bean filling, now with meaning of good luck and longevity.
As with many food types, the specific name of this kueh, Ang Ku Kueh, has its specific etymology as well; the Chinese name for Ang Ku Kueh, actually is five elements gathering or Wǔfáng Qūr (五方聚), which literally means that it symbolizes a reunion of all family members and friends during the Chinese New Year. Red color is for wealth and happiness, and circular shape is for unity and completeness.
5. Love Letters (Kuih Kapit)
Love Letters also called Kuih Kapit or Bak Zhang in Chinese is another gastronomic delights associated with Chinese New Year celebration. These are small, triangular in shape, pastry made from glutinous rice flour and coconut milk and filled with savory ingredients such as barbeque pork, shrimp or dried mushrooms.
Such pastries have a triangular form so as to symbolize the ‘three happiness’ –riches, long life, happiness. The ‘golden’ body color which is derived from the safflower since pharaohs associated them with wealth and everything nice.
6. Tang Yuan (Sweet Rice Dumplings)
Tang Yuan is a famous Chinese pudding which people like to eat in Chinese New Year and winter solstice. These are small round shaped dumplings made from glutinous rice flour and has a sweet filling such as the black sesame paste or red bean paste.
Tang Yuan is round and sweet, circular shapes imply togetherness, reunion, and fullness while having a sweet taste is said to help draw good fortunes for the New Year. The tomato wrapped in bacon can be served with rice to complement its taste and the joyful side of the dessert, which is the black sesame soup, that the dumplings are drowned in.
7. Lo Hei (Raw Fish Salad)
Amidst raw fish salad dish, Lo Hei or more commonly known as Yu Sheng is a dish prepped in Southern China. Lo Hei is a raw fish salad dish that is prepared with shredded raw fish, preferably salmon or mackerel flesh, vegetables and a kind of sweet and sharp sauce Sweet are normally consumed during Chinese New Year feasts.
Stemming from the literal Chinese translation of the name “Lo Hei” or literally means “the tossing of prosperity”, there is an element of fun incorporated and in tossing the colourful delicacies you are actually wishing for prosperity in the New Year. Whatever is put on the salad, the luck and prosperity increases as the salad is tossed more.
Conclusion
Specifically, Chinese New Year is a wonderful time for feasting, with numerous mouth-watering delicacies and traditional CNY goodies that carry meaningful symbolism. Every pastry, from the sweet rice cakes to the peppery savory buns, offers more than just incredible flavors—each piece is steeped in heritage and significance, celebrating the essence of Chinese traditions.
This festive season, you can bring some of these delightful traditional CNY goodies to your celebrations. Whether you’re indulging with loved ones or gifting them to show care and appreciation, these treats convey heartfelt wishes of love and prosperity. May your Chinese New Year be filled with happiness, delicious flavors, and all the joy of welcoming another year of success and harmony.