Want to attract more luck and prosperity this Year of the Fire Rooster? Take note of these 8 lucky dishes and their respective meanings…
8. Whole Fish
Chinese people always like to have a surplus at the end of the year, because they think if they have managed to save something at the end of the year, then they can make more in the next year. So, to attract abundance, try to serve a whole fish during your feast.
Crispy Lapu Lapu in Pomelo Sauce at King Chef
7. Egg Tarts
Egg tarts symbolize “a sweet life” or “a loving relationship” between husband and wife. Also, in China, Eggs is also a symbol of “new life” and “new beginnings.” Give your partner a box of these creamy egg tarts by Lord Stow’s this Chinese New Year.
Portugese Egg Tarts at Lord Stow’s Bakery
6. Dumplings
Chinese dumplings can be made to look like Chinese silver ingots (which are not bars, but boat-shaped, oval, and turned up at the two ends). Legend has it that the more dumplings you eat during the New Year celebrations, the more money you can make in the New Year. So remember, in order to attract MORE MOOOLAH this 2017, you ought to eat lots and lots of dumplings this Chinese New Year.
Assorted dimsum and dumplings at Tao Yuan
5. Whole Chicken
Prosperity, togetherness of the family, joy (note: chicken with its head, tail and feet symbolizes completeness). The chicken, a stand-in for the phoenix, is regarded as a symbol of femininity. Consequently, lobster and chicken are often served together, promising marital harmony. Plus, it’s the year of the Fire Rooster!
Chopped or not is ok, as long as it’s a whole chicken. Ok?
Whole fried chicken at Sincerity
4. Tikoy / Glutinous Rice Cake
In Chinese, glutinous rice cake (年糕 Niángāo /nyen-gaoww/) sounds like, it means “‘getting higher year-on- by year”‘. In Chinese people’s minds, this means the higher you are, the more prosperous your business is a general improvement in life. The main ingredients of Niángāo are sticky rice, sugar, chestnuts, Chinese dates, and lotus leaves.
Tikoy at Eng Bee Tin
3. Sweet Rice Ball
Sweet rice ball (汤圆 Tāngyuán /tung-ywen/) is the main food for China’s Lantern Festival, however, in south China, people eat them throughout the Spring Festival. The pronunciation and round shape of Tāngyuán are associated with reunion and being together. That’s why they are favored by the Chinese during the New Year celebrations.
Hot Almond Cream with Sesame Balls at Shi Lin
2. Noodles
Longevity noodles (长寿面 Chángshòu Miàn /chung-show myen/) unsurprisingly symbolize a wish for longevity. Their length and unsevered preparation are also symbolic of the eater’s life. So this weekend, you have an excuse to eat your favorite pasta, noodles and pancit!
Beef La Mien at San Guo La Mien
1. Good Fortune Fruits
Certain fruits are eaten during the Chinese New Year period, such as tangerines and oranges, and pomeloes. They are selected as they are particularly round and “golden” in color, symbolizing fullness and wealth, but more obviously for the lucky sound they bring when spoken. Go for pomelos, kiat-kiats and oranges!
Pomelos at Metro Gaisano
“Golden” colored fruits are considered lucky
Do you know of any other lucky food items? Feel free to comment! And oh, by the way, all these sumptuous dishes can be found at Lucky Chinatown! Kung Hei Fat Choi!
