Chinese New Year foods are customary Chinese foods prepared on the occasion of Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year is a significant day in the lunar calendar. Traditionally it is an occasion where people feast in the company of dear ones. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners include Chinese New Year food recipes with elaborate courses each of which carry religious significance. Popular Chinese New Year Foods include - Chinese New Year Cookies, Chinese New Year Cakes, Tikoy, Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls.
Traditional Chinese New Years Food Menu
Chinese New Year Foods occupy a whole elaborate menu on the occasion. On the New Year’s Eve there is a festive gathering to celebrate with a lavish feast comprising several kinds of dishes as the menu comprises a whole lot of appetizers, main dishes, side dishes, desserts, drinks and cocktails. Traditional Chinese New Year Foods include- meat balls (jou-wan), Fish balls (yu-wan), nian gao, sticky rice, dumplings (jiao zi) and Taro cakes. An assortment of exotic Chinese New Year Food in a tray known as “Tray of togetherness” is an auspicious treat.
Significance of Chinese New Years Food
Chinese New Year Foods are the part of the two week long Chinese New Year celebration. Presenting a whole chicken during the Chinese New Year season represents family togetherness. Noodles represent a long life and there is an old belief that it is a taboo to cut them. Inclusion of clams and Spring Rolls relate to prosperity with clams resembling bouillon and Spring Rolls gold bars. Fish is known as "Yu” and symbolizes abundance. Tangerines and oranges are must have Chinese New Year Foods, which are exchanged as gifts.
Modern Chinese New Year Food Recipes and Variations
Chinese New Year Foods are made with a lot of variations in the traditional recipes.
• Chinese spareribs include classic Cantonese Honey Garlic Spareribs, spicy Salt and Pepper Spareribs, Spareribs with Black Bean Sauce, Hawaiian Luau Barbecued Ribs, etc.
• Potstickers with Prawn and Cilantro is a contemporary Chinese New Year Food with ground pork and Napa cabbage or a Vegetarian Potstickers with tofu.
• Oriental Pate is a fusion of French and Chinese cuisine where pate is made with cream cheese, dried orange peel, oyster sauce and cilantro.
• "Gift-Wrapped Chicken" is a popular Chinese New Year Foods appetizer unwrapped over New Year.
• Crab Rangoon is a fusion Chinese New Years Food devised by chefs at Trader Vic's chain of restaurants.