by Rainier Wong

Created on: January 31, 2011   Last Updated: August 12, 2011

Having a full stomach is important to the Chinese and it is customary for Chinese to ask among themselves whether they have already eaten when they meet. Therefore, it is not a surprise to know that food plays a very important part in the celebration of Chinese New Year. The types of food eaten during the celebration may differ from speakers of one Chinese dialect to another and the region where they live.

On the night before the first day of Chinese New Year. Members of the family will gather together for an auspicious dinner to welcome the New Year. During such dinner, vegetable dishes as well as chicken, and pork are served.  If the family consists of only vegetarians, only the types of food that fit their lifestyle will be served.

One of the most important ingredients in vegetable dishes is "Shitake" or black mushroom. In the Chinese culture, such a mushroom signifies longevity and the importance of seizing the opportunity. Other ingredients that may be served in vegetarian dishes include abalone, Chinese Cabbage, carrots, and black moss which is a kind of seaweed. Abalone symbolizes good fortune, Chinese cabbage represents one hundred types of prosperity as in Chinese, the name of the vegetable is "White Vegetable" and is similar to the Chinese sound for "one hundred types of prosperity". Carrots represent good luck because their color is almost red. Black moss symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Rice, of course, will be served as well as rice symbolize fertility,luck, wealth, and the link between heaven and earth.  Other types of food that may be served including spring rolls and clams which symbolize wealth.

On the first day of Chinese New Year, the Chinese may eat a vegetarian dish with rice before starting the day. The family may then go visiting their relatives with mandarins and red packets with money to be given mainly to unmarried relatives. The mandarins symbolize gold which in turn symbolizes wealth.

Guests at a Chinese New Year celebration may be served sugar coated dried fruits known as "Tang Guo" in Mandarin or "Tong Guo" in Cantonese to sweeten the year.  In certain overseas Chinese community, additional food may be served as well. In Malaysia, for example, a spicy pickled fruit dish known as "Acar" may be served in some Chinese homes in the country.

A kind of cookie known as love letters may also be served in Chinese homes especially those in Malaysia. In Malaysia such food is known as "Kueh Kapit". Besides being served such types of food, visitors may also be served pineapple tarts and Chinese New Year Cakes known as "Nian Gau" in Mandarin or "Lin Go" in Cantonese. Other types of cookies that may be served including the coconut fragrant cookie which is known as "Kueh Bangkit" in Malaysia and Singapore and the Honeycomb cookies.

Works Consulted:

"Food Symbolism during Chinese New Year Celebrations", Nations Online", http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Custom s/food_symbolism.htm (Retrieved January 31, 2011).

Rhonda Parkinson", Chinese New Year Food", About. com", http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chinesenewyear/a/sym bolicnewyear.htm (Retrieved January 31, 2011).

"Cakes and Cookies in Malaysia and Singapore, "Chinese New Year Cakes, http://www.mymalaysiabooks.com/recipe/Malaysian_cnyc ookies.htm (Retrieved January 31, 2011).

"Kueh Bangkit, http://www.singaporenv.org/uploads/1/4/2/2/142273/ku eh_bungkit.pdf (Retrieved January 31, 2011).

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