Samuel Chiltern answered
The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important of all Chinese holidays. Besides bringing in the new year, it also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
It is a time of great celebration so, in keeping with this spirit, it is also a time when a lot of wonderful food is eaten.
Most dishes served at this time of year carry some kind of symbolic meaning, normally related to what their names sound like.
For example 'tangerines' and 'oranges' sound like 'gold' and 'wealth' in Chinese, so these are often brought as gifts by guests to a meal.
At Chinese New Year, you could expect to see the following foods being eaten:
For this reason, ducks and chickens are often served with the heads and feet still attached. If chopped ingredients are required, they are prepared before the holiday season, and stored until needed.
It is a time of great celebration so, in keeping with this spirit, it is also a time when a lot of wonderful food is eaten.
Most dishes served at this time of year carry some kind of symbolic meaning, normally related to what their names sound like.
For example 'tangerines' and 'oranges' sound like 'gold' and 'wealth' in Chinese, so these are often brought as gifts by guests to a meal.
At Chinese New Year, you could expect to see the following foods being eaten:
- chinese dumplings
- spring rolls and egg rolls
- nian gao (rice cakes, often added to stir fries and broth)
- broccoli beef noodle stir fry
- garlic brandy prawns
- steamed whole fish (often carp on New Year's Eve, to symbolise profitability in the year ahead)
- pork
- duck
- chicken
- oysters
- turnips
- lettuce
- seaweed
For this reason, ducks and chickens are often served with the heads and feet still attached. If chopped ingredients are required, they are prepared before the holiday season, and stored until needed.
