Like any holiday, the Chinese New Year means food aplenty. Also celebrated as the Spring Festival, CNY involves an assortment of food that are said to bring prosperity throughout the year. Here are some and their symbolism:

1. Dumplings (wealth). Jiaozi, or dumplings, has history of more than 1,800 years. A staple food eaten during the Lunar New Year, dumplings are made of minced meat and finely-chopped vegetables wrapped in a thin and elastic dough skin. Fillings can be minced pork, diced shrimp, fish, ground chicken, beef and vegetables. Dumplings can be cooked by boiling, steaming, frying or baking. It is said that the more dumplings you eat, the more money you’ll make for the year.

2. Nian-gao or tikoy (prosperity, family unity). Nian-gao, popular to Filipinos as tikoy, is a glutinous rice cake that originated from the word tike meaning “sweet pastry.” In 1912, it is believed that Mainland China migrant Chua Chiu Hong established a small stall in Ongpin, Manila to cater to Chinese immigrants in the country. Tikoy is cooked by slicing it first to pieces, coating it with beaten egg before frying.

3. Longevity noodles (long life). Yi Mein, also known as long-life noodles, symbolizes long life, good luck and prosperity. Aside from the Lunar New Year, longevity noodles are also served at other special occasions such as weddings and birthdays. According to tradition, one must eat the noodle strands without breaking it.