Kung hei fat choi! The Lunar New Year is one of the most widely celebrated holidays anywhere in the world. 1 out of 4 people look forward to the first day of the first lunar month of the Chinese Calendar to celebrate the year that has been, and the year that will come.
As is tradition, no celebration is complete without food. In Filipino-Chinese culture especially, food plays an important role as it is the centerpiece of every gathering. .
Whether you’re looking for ideas for what to put on the table or simply curious about what your Filipino-Chinese friends are doing this weekend, this guide will tell you what you need to know about cuisine for the Chinese New Year!
Longevity Noodles
These noodles, also called yi mein, are a kind of Cantonese egg noodles that are said to be the key to a long and happy life. That’s why yi mein noodles are made with special care to make sure that the strands are nice and long – never ever cut these noodles shorter as you eat them! These aren’t your average noodles. These are longevity noodles.
Lucky Fruits
Fruits with a round, circular shape are said to bring luck, fortune, and prosperity because they represent money. Usher in the new year with apples, grapes, and cherries so that you can kick things off right! Bonus points if you eat oranges. Its color’s similarity to gold also brings about good tidings according to Chinese culture.
Tikoy
Did you think this list was going to be complete without this crowd favorite?
Adapted from the Hokkien word for sweet (ti) and cake (ke), this sweetcake’s more than just sweet. It’s the real deal. Made from rice flour and mixed with egg and brown sugar, this simple but delicious treat is a gift that you can give to your friends, enemies, and loved ones alike. It is said that eating tikoy makes your mouth so sticky that you won’t be able to say anything bad or harmful about the person who gave you the sweetcake.
Did you like learning about Chinese New Year and its different delicacies? Take it to the next level and discover Chinese culture for yourself first hand! Plan your next vacation to visit the Great Wall, immerse yourself in its history, and explore the Forbidden City.
