Introduction
The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is one of the biggest festival and carnival for the Chinese community. During this period, which lasts for approximately 15 days, the holiday is replete with various customs and traditions that assist in strengthening the families and unites people. What defines the Lunar New Year is the exchange of special foods called ‘CNY goodies.’ It may interest you to know that such treats do not only serve the purpose of the delicious feel of the tongue but also the important ramifications that are symbolic, and indeed plays a significant role of maintaining tradition throughout the ages. Looking at CNY goodies and how they are important in Lunar New Year practices is what this article seeks to do.
1. Nian Gao – The Glutinous Rice Cake
Nian Gao or sticky rice cake is a delicious delicacy which is taken during the event of new Lunar Year. Usually prepared from glutinous rice flour and sugar, Nian Gao is a candy laden with symbolism that is savored during the Chinese New Year. The name itself is derived from two characters: ‘Nian,’ the Chinese word for year, and ‘Gao’, which means height or rise in English. Therefore, eating the dish is believed to bring a successful and prosperous year ahead into people’s life. Most often it accompanies friends and relatives as a gift or shared during some holiday table.
2. Ngau Lam Mein – A Bowl of Longevity Noodles
For another type, Ngau Lam Mein, or longevity noodles, is eaten and is also one of the items included and served on the Lunar New Year’s table. These noodles are not to be cut or broken because that brings with it bad luck and are made from wheat noodles representing longevity. Rather, they are consumed long to symbolize long life and longevity of the consumer of the products. In some parts, Ngau Lam Mein could be as noodle soup, sautéed noodles, or both together with some meat and vegetables.
3. Yu Sheng – The Toss For Prosperity
Yu Sheng, or raw fish salad, is a dish that is especially associated with the Lunar New Year’s feast in Singapore and Malaysia. It is a seafood import from the Teochew cuisine, and this salad is comprised of raw fish – salmon is most popular – as well as julienned vegetables, sesame seeds, and countless other elements. It is distinguished from several other Chinese dishes by its preparation methods and is typically consumed only in reunion dinners when all members of the family gather together; everybody tosses the ingredients of the salad into the air saying ‘Lo Hei’, literally translated from Cantonese as ‘prosperity and happiness’. This food symbolising physical agility is a representation of luck and the higher the ingredients fly that it is believed to bring in the new year.
4. A tart, sweet and tangy creation – Pineapple Tarts
‘Nanking tarts’ or pineapple tarts cannot be overstated as treats that symbolise Lunar New Year. They come from shredded or crushed pineapple filling enveloped in pastry though they are rich in apple and sweet and sour preferences which make them popular during festive seasons. Other than being a sweet delicacy, pineapple tarts are associated with affluence in the Chinese language because of the word ‘peng’ which means ‘prosper’ in Cantonese language. These tarts are usually proffered and distributed to friends, relatives and neighbors during Lunar New Year celebration.
5. Tang Yuan – Glutinous Rice Balls
Tang Yuan in literal translation is rice dumplings, or glutinous rice balls, are popular treats during the Lunar New Year season. These are sticky and soft in texture and rice balls stuffed with sweet fillings which may include red bean paste, peanut powder or sesame paste. Tang Yuan is round in shape and people continue to believe that they are so formed to represent family hence continuity and wholeness. People and their friends and relatives have been known to enjoy Tang Yuan and this is usually achieved by allowing them to float in a syrup made from osmanthus or ginger soup. Eating Tang Yuan during the festive season gives people a familiar comfort and the company that it brings helps to bring people together and create warmth in the event.
Conclusion
From the beloved noodle dishes like Nian Gao and Ngau Lam Mein to the symbolic fish dishes inspired by Yu Sheng and the ever-popular Pineapple Tarts, the culinary scene during the Lunar New Year bursts with vibrant flavors and cultural significance. These delectable treats, often referred to as CNY goodies or CNY cookies, are more than just festive delicacies—they carry deep meanings and traditions that enrich the celebration. They serve as bonds that bring families together, fostering unity and joy during this special season. Whether savoring these flavorful bites or sipping on festive beverages, the Lunar New Year is a true holiday of togetherness and tradition, made even sweeter by the irresistible charm of CNY cookies.