Philippine Holiday: 8 Good Luck Foods to Eat on Chinese New Year

Gong hei fat choy! Chinese New Year has come and you know what that means? It’s time to celebrate!

Also known in the Philippines as Lunar New Year, it is a festival celebrating the beginning of the Chinese calendar’s New Year. It’s one of the most anticipated holidays in China and it is celebrated by more than 20% of the world.

Another thing that people look out for on this event is to find out their fortune. According to the Chinese horoscope, 2020 will be the year of the Metal Rat. This zodiac animal is described as quick thinkers, clever, energetic, and optimistic.

Holidays aren’t complete without serving food for the event, and there’s no mistake that people like to follow some superstitions especially during the Lunar New Year.

Since no. 8 is considered to be a lucky a number, here are 8 foods that you should eat during the Lunar New year:

Tikoy

Tikoy or Nian Gao(as known by other countries) is widely known throughout the Philippines. This glutinous rice cake is said to keep the Kitchen God’s mouth shut and avoid letting him say anything bad about you. Tikoy has a variety of colors and flavors, like white or the original flavor, a brown-colored Tikoy is made with brown sugar, the green one is made with pandan while the violet one is made with ube.

Fish

 The word “fish” is a homophone for the word “surplus” in the Chinese language thus serving a whole fish during the Lunar New Year would mean ’a surplus of wealth’ to the coming years.

Image by ariasmelissa from pixabay

Dumpling

A classic lucky food for the New Year and a traditional dish is eaten on Chinese New Year's Eve, dumplings have been around for more than 1,800 years. Generally, dumplings are served because ‘luck is symbolically wrapped inside’. The shape of a dumpling also resembles a golden ingot back in ancient China. Some people say that the more dumplings you eat the more money you can make in the New Year.

Sweet Rice Ball

Sweet rice balls are dipped in hot milk. Like the Fish, this dish’s pronunciation is associated with reunion and being together. That's why they are favored the most during when served.

 Photo by zheng juan on Unsplash

Spring Rolls

Spring rolls got their name for being traditionally eaten during the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. Fillings are wrapped in thin dough wrappers, then fried, when the spring rolls are given their golden-yellow color. It also symbolizes wealth or ‘a wish for prosperity’.

 Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Chicken

 A whole and unchopped chicken is shared with the family. It usually symbolizes prosperity, joy, and unity in the family.

Fruits

Serving golden or orange-colored round fruits during the Lunar New Year period, such as tangerines and oranges, and pomelos is considered lucky since the said fruits symbolize fullness and wealth.

Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash

Noodles

Noodles or Pancit has always been a staple food for parties or celebrations in the Philippines. Chinese influence also shows why this has been served on many occasions. The length of the noodles symbolizes for ‘long life’.

Photo by Martin Lostak on Unsplash

With this, we would like to forward our wishes for you to have a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year. May your journey be always filled with wealth, good health and success through the year ahead!

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