Jakarta (ANTARA) – Chinese New Year celebrations are not only synonymous with red packets, red decorations and lion dances, but also various special foods that have deep meaning.
Every food served during Chinese New Year is also believed to bring good luck, health and prosperity. The following are 10 mandatory foods during Chinese New Year and their meanings:
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1. Basket cake
Basket cakes are always present at every Chinese New Year celebration. Its chewy texture and sweet taste symbolizes better luck, health, wealth and happiness than the previous year.
These cakes are usually stacked to symbolize ever-increasing fortune, including higher salaries and positions.
2. My cake
This cake has a shell-like shape with a distinctive bright red color. This cake made from sticky rice flour and filled with green beans symbolizes prosperity.
Usually, ku cakes are printed with motifs of letters or lucky symbols, making them even more special at Chinese New Year celebrations.
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3. Cupcakes
Cupcakes or fa gao made from rice flour and shaped like a blooming flower. The shape of the petals symbolizes growing fortune.
The more petals that bloom, the greater the luck that is believed to come. Therefore, this cake is often referred to as “prosperity cake.”
4. Moon cake
Moon cake or moon cake has a round shape that resembles a full moon, symbolizing wholeness and unity. The sweet red bean paste filling is a symbol of good fortune, prosperity and health which is expected to be abundant throughout the year.
5. Sweets
Typical Chinese New Year sweets are usually served in octagonal boxes called tray of happiness or prosperity box. The number eight has a similar pronunciation to the Chinese word for luck, namely “fa”.
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These sweets contain various contents, such as lychees which symbolize family ties and lotus seeds which symbolize fertility. This dish is believed to bring happiness to the family who serves it.
6. Dumplings
Dumplings or jiaozi shaped like ancient Chinese money which symbolizes prosperity. According to tradition, the more dumplings eaten on Chinese New Year night, the more good fortune will come. Dumplings are usually filled with beef and vegetables, and enjoyed with soy sauce and ginger.
7. Siu noodles
Siu noodles are long noodles which are a symbol of long life. The way to enjoy it is also unique, namely that it must be eaten whole without biting so that the wish for a long life can come true. Siu noodles are usually cooked with a mixture of vegetables, shrimp, sausage, meatballs and various other fillings, making it a delicious and hopeful dish.
8. Spring rolls
Typical Chinese New Year spring rolls are golden brown in color and resemble gold bars, symbolizing good luck and wealth. These spring rolls contain pieces of meat and vegetables, which are usually served with oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice wine and sesame oil to add flavor.
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9. Legit layer cake
Lapis legit cake is not only delicious, but also has a deep meaning. The layers of this cake symbolize multi-layered fortune, full of luck and a sweet life. This cake is a prayer so that everyone who enjoys it will get abundant fortune throughout the year.
10. Yee Sang
The tradition of eating yee sang is also an inseparable part of Chinese New Year celebrations. This dish, also known as prosperity salad, consists of a mixture of fresh vegetables combined with fish.
When served, family members mix the yee sang while holding their respective containers or chopsticks high. This ritual symbolizes great hope and success in the future.
Every dish in the Chinese New Year celebration has a deep meaning, not only as food but also as a prayer and hope for a better year. By serving these foods, it is hoped that good luck, happiness and prosperity will continue to flow to the celebrating family.
For information, Chinese New Year (Xinjia) this year it will fall on Wednesday, January 29 2025. Happy Hari Raya & Chinese New Year!
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Reporter: Raihan Fadilah
Editor: Suryanto
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