Let luck slither in with these auspicious eats

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.

4. Tray of Togetherness or Chinese candy box (unity). Tray of Togetherness, a circular or octagonal-shaped platter, is divided into compartments to hold an array of auspicious treats, fruits, nuts or coins. One can put melon seeds for wealth and happiness, lotus root seeds for pregnancy, candied melon for good health and growth, coconut for happy friendships and unity, and nuts for long life and strong family ties.

5. Spring rolls or lumpia (wealth and prosperity). Spring rolls, commonly known as lumpia, symbolizes wealth and prosperity as its shape resembles that of gold bars. According to chinahighlights.com, wrappers are filled with all kinds of ingredients including mixed vegetables, diced meat, bamboo shoots, peas, eggs, fish, shrimp, oysters and dried tofu.

6. Shrimp (happiness). Shrimp is another lucky food served during the Lunar New Year. Aside from good fortune, shrimp represents happiness as the Cantonese word for shrimp, “ha,” sounds like laughter.

7. Sesame rice balls or buchi (unity, completeness). Sesame rice balls, fondly called buchi by Filipinos, symbolize unity and completeness in Chinese New Year. This chewy treat is made from glutinous rice flour with sweetened red bean paste as its filling. It is fried until golden brown to have the crisp texture.

8. Mooncake or hopia (good fortune). Because of its round shape, mooncakes are often gifted to family and friends during Chinese New Year even though it is often consumed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Referred to as hopia by Filipinos, this pastry is typically made from salty yolk and bean paste. Its filling can be lotus seed paste, nuts or even ic cream.

9. Whole chicken (good luck). Whole chickens are as symbolic to the Lunar New Year as the above-mentioned food. Its Chinese name, “ji,” is a homophone for good luck and great wealth as per China Highlights. Whether braised or roasted, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, cooking wine, and aromatics, the chicken has to be served intact from its head to claw.

10. Red braised pork belly or dong po rou (prosperity, good luck). Red braised pork belly or dong po rou is a traditional Chinese dish with a rich history. It is said to be named after the famous Song Dynasty poet and official Su Dongpo. Dong po rou is recommended to use a clay pot to prepare the meat to ensure a wonderfully tender and juicy result. The slow roasting technique results in a tender and flavorful pork belly that are paired with sweet and savory sauce.