The ‘Spring Festival’ or the Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate for Chinese people all over the world. As in all festivals, traditional food is an essential part of the celebration. The table setting is elaborate and most of the New Year traditional food has a symbolic importance in the celebration, associated with happiness, prosperity, health and wealth for the New Year. The Chinese gather together to spend this auspicious occasion with their family and friends.

 Chinese New Year traditional Food Items 

• Chinese dumplings

They are  filled with meats, vegetables and spices, are sure to be found in the New Year spread as they symbolize unity and togetherness. Dumplings are often had towards midnight. 

• Spring rolls

They are significant of wealth as they look like bars of gold.

• Noodles

Are a Chinese staple are a traditional Chinese new year food as well. They are always served long as this symbolizes longevity of life. It is often believed that cutting the noodles or serving short noodles at the New Year feast will bring bad luck

• Fish

Is another popular and essential traditional Chinese New Year food. The word for fish is "yu." which stands for "abundance" and “hope”. Usually the fish is served whole, with the head and tail attached as this is symbolic of a good beginning and good end.

• Oysters and clams

Are said to bring in luck and prosperity in business. .

• Eggs

Are also considered one of the traditional Chinese New Year foods as they represent fertility and good health. You may find them in the form of an appetizer or part of other dishes like soups and salads.

• Sticky Rice pudding

The Chinese new near table will be incomplete without the traditional steamed with dates and raisins.

The Chinese New Year traditional food items are symbolic because of the pronunciation of the word. The word for lettuce sounds like fortune or luck and the Chinese words for oranges and tangerines sound like "gold" and “wealth”. In many Chinese homes the traditional  New Year foods are served in a rather unique way. The table will be laid with a platter of 5 different vegetables and 5 meats and the family sits together at the table and cooks these vegetables and meats in individual fondue pots.

The above 5 dishes symbolize all the good things we wish for in the New Year; wisdom, peace, wealth, long life and virtue.

Image courtesy - foodmuseum.com