Traditional Foods to Welcome Chinese New Year 2025

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of joy, family reunions, and cultural traditions. The year 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac, a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and transformation. A key highlight of this festival is the abundance of symbolic foods served during the celebrations, believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead.

Each dish served during the Chinese New Year carries deep cultural significance, often tied to linguistic puns or traditional beliefs. As families gather to welcome 2025, the Year of the Snake, they share meals that not only delight the palate but also express hopes for fortune and abundance in the coming year.

1. Fish (鱼 Yú)

Fish is a staple of Chinese New Year feasts, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. The word for fish sounds like “surplus” in Chinese, reflecting a wish for more than enough in the coming year. It’s often served whole, representing unity and a complete family. To enhance its symbolism, some fish is left uneaten, signifying that good fortune will carry over to the next year.

2. Dumplings (饺子 Jiǎozi)

Dumplings are an iconic dish during Chinese New Year, especially in Northern China. Their shape resembles ancient Chinese silver ingots, making them a symbol of wealth and financial success. Families often prepare and eat dumplings together as a bonding activity, and some even hide a coin inside one dumpling for extra luck to the person who finds it.

3. Spring Rolls (春卷 Chūnjuǎn)

Spring rolls are golden, crispy snacks that represent wealth and prosperity. Their color and shape resemble gold bars, aligning them with the idea of financial fortune. Filled with meat, vegetables, or sweet fillings, they are not only delicious but also auspicious, adding variety and richness to the New Year’s feast.

4. Glutinous Rice Cake (年糕 Niángāo)

Niángāo, or glutinous rice cake, is a sweet, sticky dessert that symbolizes growth and success. The name means “year higher,” expressing hopes for rising success in life, career, and finances. This traditional dessert is made with glutinous rice flour and is often flavored with red dates or other sweet ingredients to add extra meaning and taste.

5. Sweet Rice Balls (汤圆 Tāngyuán)

Tāngyuán are soft, chewy rice balls served in a sweet soup, symbolizing family unity and togetherness. Their round shape represents completeness, making them a perfect dish for family gatherings during Chinese New Year. Common fillings include sesame paste, peanuts, or red bean paste, and they’re especially popular during the Lantern Festival.

6. Longevity Noodles (长寿面 Chángshòu Miàn)

Long noodles are a symbol of long life and good health. The longer the noodles, the longer the life they represent, which is why they are served uncut. They are often cooked in a broth or stir-fried with vegetables and meat. Eating these noodles carefully without breaking them is part of the tradition, ensuring the blessing of longevity remains intact.

7. Oranges and Tangerines

Bright and golden, oranges and tangerines are symbols of wealth, success, and good luck. Their round shape and color resemble gold coins, and their Chinese names sound like “success” and “fortune.” These fruits are often displayed as decorations or given as gifts during New Year to wish prosperity and abundance.

8. Eight Treasures Rice (八宝饭 Bābǎo Fàn)

This dessert is made with glutinous rice, dried fruits, nuts, and sugar, creating a sweet and sticky dish. The number eight is considered lucky in Chinese culture, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. The combination of flavors and textures makes this dish a delightful way to end the meal and share good fortune with loved ones.

9. Hot Pot (火锅 Huǒguō)

Hot pot is a communal dish that represents family unity and harmony. A large pot of flavorful broth is placed at the center of the table, surrounded by various meats, seafood, and vegetables. Family members cook their food together, symbolizing closeness and warmth, which is central to New Year celebrations.

10. Peking Duck (北京烤鸭 Běijīng Kǎoyā)

Peking duck is a luxurious dish often served as a festive centerpiece. Its crispy skin and tender meat represent abundance and indulgence. This dish symbolizes loyalty and fidelity, making it a meaningful addition to the New Year’s feast. Served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce, it’s both delicious and deeply symbolic.

11. Whole Chicken

A whole chicken symbolizes family unity, completeness, and prosperity. It is often served during New Year meals to represent togetherness and blessings for the entire household. The chicken is usually steamed or braised with flavorful herbs like ginger and scallions. Its presentation as a whole bird emphasizes the idea of wholeness in life. Families also believe eating chicken will bring luck for the coming year.

12. Pork Knuckles

Pork knuckles are a festive dish that symbolizes strength, unity, and family bonds. Slow-cooked until tender, they are richly flavored with soy sauce, star anise, and sugar. The dish represents hard work and dedication, reflecting blessings for stability and wealth. Serving pork knuckles during Chinese New Year signifies enduring family connections and shared prosperity. It’s often paired with vegetables or rice for a hearty meal.

13. Sticky Rice Dumplings (粽子 Zòngzi)

Sticky rice dumplings, while more commonly associated with the Dragon Boat Festival, are also enjoyed during Chinese New Year. Made with glutinous rice and stuffed with fillings like pork, red bean paste, or salted egg yolks, they symbolize family unity. Wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, their preparation is a family activity, fostering togetherness. The sticky texture represents bonds that cannot be easily broken, making them a meaningful dish.

14. Lotus Root

Lotus root is a versatile vegetable symbolizing abundance and clarity. Its unique pattern of holes is associated with an unobstructed path in life, making it a popular dish during Chinese New Year. Lotus root is often braised with pork ribs or stir-fried with sweet and sour sauce. Its crisp texture and mild sweetness add balance to the meal. Families believe eating lotus root will bring harmony and smooth progress in the new year.

15. Tofu

Tofu represents happiness and fortune, particularly when served fresh and paired with auspicious ingredients. Soft and versatile, tofu absorbs the flavors of the dishes it’s cooked with, like mushrooms or vegetables. In Southern China, tofu is a symbol of good luck when prepared in golden, fried cubes. However, in some regions, white tofu is avoided due to its association with mourning. When prepared correctly, tofu is both a delicious and meaningful addition.

16. Egg Rolls

Egg rolls are golden and crispy, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Their shape and color resemble gold bars, making them a favorite for welcoming fortune. Filled with vegetables, shrimp, or pork, they are a versatile snack or appetizer. Egg rolls are popular during Chinese New Year gatherings, representing the hope for financial success. Sharing egg rolls with loved ones enhances their symbolism of prosperity for all.

17. Turnip Cake (萝卜糕 Luóbo Gāo)

Turnip cake is a savory dish made from radish and rice flour, enjoyed for its delicious flavor and symbolic meaning. The word for radish in Chinese sounds like “good fortune,” making it an auspicious dish. Pan-fried to a golden brown, turnip cake is crispy on the outside and soft inside. It’s often shared during family meals or gifted to friends. This dish reflects a wish for a prosperous and harmonious year.

18. Fried Glutinous Rice

Fried glutinous rice represents family unity and togetherness. Its sticky texture symbolizes the strong bonds between family members. The dish is typically stir-fried with ingredients like Chinese sausage, shrimp, and vegetables for added flavor. Eating this dish during Chinese New Year is believed to strengthen familial connections. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that brings warmth and harmony to the table.

19. Sesame Seed Balls (煎堆 Jiānduī)

Sesame seed balls are a sweet treat symbolizing growth, prosperity, and wealth. Made with glutinous rice flour and filled with red bean or lotus paste, they are fried until golden and crispy. Their round shape and expanding size when fried represent rising fortunes and success. Often enjoyed as a dessert or snack, sesame seed balls add a touch of sweetness to the festive celebrations.

20. Braised Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms symbolize longevity and blessings for good health. They are often braised with oyster sauce or paired with vegetables like bok choy for a savory dish. Their rich flavor and meaty texture make them a satisfying addition to the New Year feast. Mushrooms are also associated with growth and resilience, reflecting the hope for a prosperous and healthy year. Families include them to invite stability and strength.