Introduction
CNY or better known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival calls for reunion, gathering, and of course, lots of food. The festival being the most important festival in Chinese culture, the celebration of the Chinese New Year involves the following customs/ practices across the regions. However, food is one of the most important components of CNY, through the food that is enjoyed during the celebration of the CNY is best known as “CNY goodies”. These delicious little morsels include pineapple tarts and rice cakes, and embody the feelings of happiness which they convey, and which are synonymous with richness, wealth, and success. In this article, I will share the last list of what you can eat – CNY goodies and explore the Chinese New Year holiday and its spicy peculiarities.
1. Nian Gao (年糕)
Altogether, CNY goodies list would not be complete without having Sticky Rice Cake or “Nian Gao.” This is prepared from glutinous rice flour and brown sugar together with additions such as peanuts or sesame seeds among others which are then steamed and can be shaped in various forms. The name, Nian Gao means ‘higher year’ or ‘year up higher’ which shows advancement in life, success and advancement. Nian Gao consumption is usually done during the Lunar New Year to help bring improved luck, prosperity, and passing academic performance in the coming year.
2. Pineapple Tarts (凤梨酥)
Pineapple tarts are perhaps one of the hit CNY cookies’ hails from Malaysia and Singapore. These cakes are made from a catchy crust of butter and sorbic acid combined with a sugary pineapple preserve made from candied pineapples. The pineapple tarts are best to be consume with tea time or during CNY home visits with family and friends. Pineapple tarts are known as must-have item in Chinese New Year and it is associated with prosperity.
3. Love Letters (千层酥)
Other names include “Thousand Layer Crisps,” Love Letters cookies are crispy, flaky, and are thin, delicate, and tasty. These traditional treats are rolled cookie-like layers of dough that are filled with a delicious blend of sesame seeds, shredded coconut and sweet icing sugar. The process of making Love Letters is somewhat tiresome because the separate layers of dough are placed and folded in specific manner. Love Letters signify strength, and strength get-togethers; thus, are loved and valued to be given and received from CNY families and friends.
4. Bak Kwa (肉干)
Bak Kwa, a famous snack in most China period Southeast Asian societies, is a barbecued, dried meat strip of a pelleted pork product often derived from pork belly. It is spiced up with five-spice powder, sugar, and soy sauce, and the combination of spices makes it to taste very unique and addictive with the sweet taste mixed with the salty taste. Bak Kwa has a surface layer charred black; this is normally by barbecuing until it becomes crisp at the surface while still being soft at the middle. Bak Kwa means the successful accomplishment of a challenging task, also referred to as ‘crossing the river in winter,’ and it is consumed during CNY and also served as CNY gift to others.
5. Kueh Bangkit (摆盘糕)
Albeit having a term ‘bangkit’ in its name, Kueh Bangkit is a light fluffy and crumbly CNY cookie originating from Malaysia. This is prepared using grated coconut, flour, sugar and eggs then baked by pressing into moulds then fried until brown. The end product is a pleasant crisp coconut flavoured sweet that is sweet to the palate and satisfying. Kueh Bangkit is normally associated with CNY and is also used as a delicacy to be given out to loved ones.
6. Tang Yuan (汤圆)
Tang Yuan are also familiar as ‘glutinous rice balls’ and they are considered to be a chief type of food during CNY, and especially the Lantern Festival, which is held on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar. Spherical small buns made of glutinous rice flour which is filled with sweet or savory things such as red bean paste or peanuts, Tang Yuan enjoying together teaches the meaning of family unity. The round shape of the Tang Yuan is symbolic of reunion, therefore this snack is highly welcomed during the festive season.
7. Nyonya Kuih (娘惹点心)
Nyonya Kuih or known as Peranakan Kuih is a term that encompasses a plethora of traditional Peranakan confectioneries. The Nyonya Kuih are usually colored with purple yam, pandan and coconut and thus a lot of the Nyonya Kuih are beautiful and tasty. Well-known Nyonya Kuih consists of Kueh Lapis which is loved for its layers of specially spiced flour mixed with palm sugar, Kueh Dadar which is a layered pandan flavoured crepe filled with palm sugar and coconut and Kueh Beng kah which is fragrant and soft glutenous rice rolled into small mochi balls and steamed. Nyonya Kuih is one type of delicious food that signifies prosperity, it is normally prepared during the celebration of CNY.
8. Sheng Jian Bao (生煎包)
Sheng Jian Bao or the pan fried buns are another type of dumplings that are stuffed with flavoursome stuffing like pork, cabbages and garlic. They are also fried and become brown at the end; this gives the buns a crispy bottom, whilst the insides are tender and full of flavor. Sheng Jian Bao is typical of food consumed during CNY and represents prosperity.
9. Nian Gao Lotus Seed Pudding (年糕莲子糕)
This scrumptious sweet dish utilizes Nian Gao and lotus seeds as well as glutinous rice to create a delicious and fits the mood of the holiday perfectly. The lotus seed pudding is bland but smooth and delicate in texture and it taste sweet with a hint of a fragrance, and the addition of Nian Gao makes it more richer in taste. This dessert is customary in the course of CNY celebration symbolizing progression, numerical growth, as well as success.
10. Pumpkin Seeds (菜籽)
Pumpkin seeds are also known as ‘cabbage seeds’ which is a common snack for CNY which is salty, chewy, and crunchy. These enriched with five-spice powder, salt, sugar roasted pumpkin seeds are believed to represent wealth or an abundance of prosperity. These cakes are consumed during CNY occasions and sometimes are presented as gift to friends and love ones.
Conclusion
The Lunar New Year is a vibrant celebration filled with energetic festivities, delicious indulgences, and a heartfelt appreciation of traditions, including traditional CNY goodies. From the smoky sweetness of Bak Kwa to the sticky, auspicious Nian Gao and the delicate lotus seed pudding, these traditional CNY goodies are a flavorful way to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
So, gather your family and friends, stock up on these festive delights, and make your celebrations even more special. Indulge in the taste of tradition and the happiness of togetherness that defines this joyous occasion. Gung hay fat choy! May your Lunar New Year be filled with prosperity and delight!