5 Typical Chinese New Year Foods and Their Meanings in 2023

The following Chinese specialties are not to be missed when celebrating Chinese New Year 2023. Each Chinese special food has its own meaning. When spending time with family, it will be more complete if you eat Chinese New Year dishes. These typical Chinese foods are believed to bring good luck in the new year.

There are many Chinese New Year specialties and they taste amazing. Not only does it taste good, but dishes for Chinese New Year actually have their own meaning. The various foods represent each element, such as animals that live in water and those that live on land, which have two and four legs.

1. Basket Cake

According to danguisichuancuisine.com, Basket Cake or also known as Nian Gao is the most important Chinese New Year food. This cake is made from glutinous rice flour and sugar. The texture is chewy and sticky. Its round shape and sticky texture symbolize close family ties, harmony, and unanimous determination while living life in the new year.

The word Nian Gao is taken from the word „Nian“ which means year and „Gao“ which means cake. The word “Gao” also sounds like the word High. Therefore, basket cakes are often stacked high up to symbolize a lot of fortune and a sweet and prosperous life in the new year.

2. Layer Cake

Just like basket cakes, lapis or legit cakes symbolize a lot of good fortune. The shape of this layered cake depicts the multi-layered fortune in the new year. Layer cakes are often served by Chinese families in Indonesia. The hope, in the new year will get a lot of fortune.

For people who have a business, layer cakes are a must-have Chinese New Year menu. Apart from hoping to get a lot of fortune, serving layer cakes is expected to provide multiple benefits in the new year.

3. Siu Mie (Fried Noodles)

Siu Mie means longevity noodles. This is one of Chinese New Year’s special foods that has a deep meaning. Siu Mie must be served in one piece, aka it cannot be cut off. This food, which has another name Chang Shou Mian, is a symbol and hope that in the new year you will be given a long life.

In Chinese tradition, Siu Mie should not be served sliced. Because it is believed to symbolize a short life. Apart from being eaten during Chinese New Year, this fried noodle is also served when celebrating birthdays. The hope is to live long. How to make Siu Mie is very easy, just like fried noodles, you just have to sauté it with oil so it doesn’t clot.

4. Duck or Roast Chicken

Just like Siu Mie, roasted duck or chicken should not be served sliced. This special Chinese New Year menu was often used as a dish for kings. Roasted duck or chicken during Chinese New Year is served whole. The hope is that in the new year the family will remain intact and live happily.

This special Chinese New Year dish also symbolizes loyalty and obedience. In Chinese culture, ducks or chickens are often referred to as greedy animals. Therefore, eating these animals aims to avoid these bad traits.

5. Pork Roast

Roast pork is a special Chinese New Year dish from the land on four legs. Pigs are animals that are considered lazy. For the Chinese community, roast pork is a must-eat dish for the family. This food is a symbol of prosperity and good luck.

The reason is because pigs are described as pockets for storing money or sustenance. However, pigs are also known as lazy animals. By eating pork, he hopes to avoid laziness. Besides being grilled, pork is served with sweet and sour sauce.