The Fascinating Symbolism Behind Chinese Lunar New Year Dishes

Dumplings are a way to bring the family together, both in making them and eating them to spend time between the old and new years. Folding pleats in the wrapper dough signify both the skill of the dumpling maker and good luck and wealth (the dumplings are reportedly shaped like currency), and can be stuffed with a variety of meat or vegetable-based fillings, such as pork and cabbage.

Mushrooms, due to their round shape resembling coins, also make a regular appearance at celebratory feasts. There are many varieties of dried mushrooms, ranging in price, and flower mushrooms are often prized by connoisseurs. Dried mushrooms need to be soaked before using, and can be stir fried, braised or steamed.

Related: A Guide to Dried Black Mushrooms

Fish is often served whole for Chinese celebrations, as the head and tail represent beginnings and endings of a good year (it is sometimes served as the last savoury dish of a banquet so that it can be on the table for the changeover in year). Grouper (or garoupa) is a popular option, served steamed and bathed in a combination of ginger, green onions, and soy based sauce. Carp, which can live in the wild for decades and represents good fortune, can also be served red cooked (fried and then braised in sauce). Whatever the variety, the fish should be large enough that there’s leftovers, as the dish symbolizes abundance based on the wordplay of the pronunciation in various dialects.

Related: Chinese Almond Jelly is a Jiggly Delight

Braised e-fu noodles are a traditional symbol of longevity, and the length of noodles eaten at the Chinese lunar new year represent lifespan, so don’t cut them before serving. Sold dried in large round pucks at Asian grocery stores, the noodles are sometimes also boiled and pan-fried.