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A Guide to 7 Chinese New Year Lucky Food Items and Their Symbolisms
Not sure which Chinese New Year food to eat?
By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | January 22, 2020
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Kung Hei Fat Choi! Increase your fortune this coming Chinese New Year with these dishes.
From feng shui to Chinese New Year, the influence of Chinese culture in the Philippines is very prominent. Just like Filipinos, the Chinese also have superstitions and beliefs, even with food. For example, this Chinese New Year 2020, the food served actually have symbolic meanings. So if you are celebrating the occasion, make sure your table has Chinese New Year lucky food items on it! Read on and which dishes to eat, where to buy them, and what each of them means in this guide to seven popular Chinese New Year lucky food!
1. Spring Rolls for Wealth and a Fresh Start
Suggested Dish: Deep Fried Chicken and Shrimp Spring Roll from Din Tai Fung
Where to buy: Din Tai Fung branches at SM Megamall, BHS Central Square BGC, Power Plant Mall Rockwell, Greenbelt 3
Price: PhP145 for 4 pcs
Spring rolls are shaped to look like gold bars to represent good wealth.
Image: @dintaifungph
Usually filled with savory meat and vegetables, spring rolls are a staple in every Chinese New Year celebration. Since the Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the traditional Chinese calendar, the Chinese prepare this dish as it symbolizes a fresh start. The belief got its root from the deep fried rolls' golden appearance—widely believed to represent wealth and treasure.
2. Dumplings for Wealth
Suggested Dish: Pork Dumplings from Dong Bei Dumpling
Where to buy: Dong Bei, 642 Yuchengco Street, Binondo, Manila
Price: PhP200 for 14 pcs
Dumplings or jiaozi feature ground pork or beef along with vegetables.
Image: @aladria_jasper
Undeniably one of the most popular Chinese dishes, dumplings have been part of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations for more than 1,800 years now. There are different variations of this dish, but the Chinese prefer those with cabbage and radish since these are believed to bring fair skin and gentleness. Dumplings are also a symbol of wealth because they are shaped like Chinese gold ingots. But to be considered as lucky, they should have enough pleats to make them look puffy and must be arranged in a line when served.
3. Chinese Noodles for Longevity
Suggested Dish: Beef Wanton/Hofan from Ling Nam
Where to buy: Ling Nam branches in Banawe Street, Quezon City; Alonzo Street, Santa Cruz, Manila; Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo; Little Baguio, San Juan City
Price: PhP225
The longevity noodles’ length is symbolic of the eater’s life.
Image: @iambabyjane.nl
Filipinos believe that eating pancit (fried noodles) can bring you long life, and the Chinese also believe that noodles represent longevity. Usually eaten during birthdays and important festivals, longevity noodles are believed to bring a smooth year to the one who eats them. These are also longer than normal noodles and can either be fried or cooked in a broth.
4. Fish for Prosperity
Suggested Dish: Steamed Whole Fish with Garlic or Taosi Sauce from Mr. Choi Kitchen
Where to buy: Mr. Choi Kitchen branches in Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Pioneer, Robinsons Galleria
Price: PhP610
A popular recipe during this occasion is steamed fish.
Image: Mr. Choi Kitchen Website
Eating fish during the Lunar New Year is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to the eater. Different fish have different symbolisms; for example, eating catfish can bring prosperity since its Chinese word sounds like “year surplus.” According to the Chinese, when eating fish during the Lunar New Year, it’s tradition to have some leftovers since these represent the savings at the end of the year. The head of the fish should also be directed at the elders to show respect.
5. Rice Cake for Rise in Career and Salary
Suggested product: White Tikoy from Eng Bee Tin
Where to buy: Eng Bee Tin branches in SM North EDSA, Farmers Plaza, Ayala Cloverleaf Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, Lucky Chinatown Mall
Price: PhP130 to PhP260
Rice cake was originally used to worship gods and ancestors.
Image: Eng Bee Tin Website
The Chinese love incorporating homonyms when it comes to symbolism which is why rice cake—which sounds like ‘getting higher year on year”—is assumed to bring a prosperous career. Along with its name, this food's sweetness is believed to stand for a rich and sweet life. Known better as tikoy, rice cakes have many variations that differ in ingredients and flavors like pandan and ube (sweet potato yam).
6. Oranges for Fullness And Wealth
Suggested product: CT Navel Oranges from Landers
Where to buy: Landers’ branches
Price: PhP239.75 per pack
Oranges also signify wealth due to their “golden” color.
One of the customs that Filipinos adopted from the Chinese is displaying round fruits during New Year. According to Chinese beliefs, roundness symbolizes wealth, abundance, perfection, and unity. Since the Chinese consider round objects and food as lucky, an orange is one of the lucky fruits to eat during the New Year. Aside from their shape, this fruit is also considered lucky since the Chinese word for 'orange' sounds the same as the word for ‘success.’
7. Rice Balls for Family Togetherness
Suggested product: Mochi Balls from Eng Bee Tin
Where to buy: Eng Bee Tin branches in SM North EDSA, Farmers Plaza, Ayala Cloverleaf Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, Lucky Chinatown Mall
Price: PhP50 per pack
Flavor options available in Eng Bee Tin are ube, chocolate, choco-orage, mocha, honey melon, and banana.
Image: @surya_af
Rice balls or “tang yuan” are usually eaten during the Lantern Festival two weeks after the Chinese New Year festivities. Because of their stickiness, rice balls are believed to bring families and relationships closer. Like fruits, the roundness of this food also contributes to the idea that it brings fortune.
Go to Yoorekka for more tips in celebrating the Chinese New Year!
Eating these Chinese New Year food items and dishes may bring you fortune this coming Lunar New Year. Enjoy!
About Denisse Shawntel Tan
Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.
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