Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated moments in the world, especially Asia, where the new year marks a time to honor ancestors and reunite with family. This year, hundreds of millions of people from various cultures will gather to welcome the Year of the Dragon with different practices and rituals.
Culinary traditions, in particular, are closely tied to ideals of prosperity and good fortune, with each culture marking a time of renewal with dishes rich in ancient meaning and symbolism.
Reporting from Tatler Asia, here are 7 typical Chinese New Year foods from various parts of the world.
1. Banh Chung – Vietnam
Banh chung/Foto: Dok. Food Network
Bánh chưng or chung cakes are steamed glutinous rice cakes usually filled with green beans and minced pork. Eaten on Tết day, or Vietnamese Chinese New Year, bánh chưng is believed to be an ode to the earth and sky according to local legend.
The sticky rice dough will be filled with layers of green beans and pork seasoned with black pepper, fish sauce, and sometimes scallions then wrapped in lá dong leaves and shaped into a square.
2. Nian Gao – Tiongkok
Nian gao or basket cake/Photo: Doc. Cookidoo
Although consumed in many parts of Asia, these sticky rice cakes are traditionally served in China at the start of the year. The etymology of the dish's name implies continued prosperity and growth, making nian gao a symbol of revered principles.
The simplest nian gao is a combination of sticky rice flour, brown sugar, and water, while the sticky rice cake contains oranges, red dates, coconut milk, or ginger. In Indonesia itself, this cake is better known as basket cake.
3. Bakkwa – Malaysia and Singapore
Bakkwa/Photo: Freepik.com/michaelnero
Combining sweet and savory flavors, bakkwa originates from an ancient Chinese preservation technique when meat was preserved for celebrations. Since being introduced to the region by Chinese immigrants, bakkwa has become very popular in Malaysia and Singapore, and most Chinese New Year celebrations are incomplete without the addition of this snack.
The taste of bakkwa itself has been improvised to suit local tastes by cooking it using charcoal grilling.
4. Hot Pot – Taiwan
Typical Chinese New Year food from various parts of the world/Photo: Freepik.com/jcomp
Togetherness is essential in Chinese New Year celebrations and food is at the heart of this togetherness. Hot pot is a symbol of togetherness in Taiwan by sitting with family and loved ones while eating together with steaming broth.
Although many versions of hot pot have been popularized, spicy hot pot is preferred. Abundant ingredients are usually served to welcome abundance in the coming year.
5. Poon Choi – Hong Kong
Poon choi/Photo: Dok. H Paper
Poon choi is a traditional Cantonese casserole full of various ingredients, with variations representing wealth and prosperity. Having existed in Hong Kong for more than seven centuries, this dish symbolizes unity in walled villages as its preparation requires extensive collaboration.
Each ingredient in poon choi is prepared individually and put into a large bowl, with fish, duck, and daikon guts being common ingredients. This dish has a history rooted in respect for ancestors, community and new beginnings.
6. Kanom Pia – Thailand
Typical Chinese New Year food from various parts of the world/Photo: Doc. Khaosod English
Kanom pia is usually filled with salted egg yolk and sweet bean paste. Kanom pia is also often referred to as Thai moon cake. Its flaky cookie exterior encloses a fudge-like core and is often stamped with symbols of prosperity. Kanom pia is sometimes soaked in candle smoke to give the cake a distinct smokey aroma.
7. Cupcakes – Indonesia
Cupcake illustration/ Photo: detikfood
Just like in other parts of the world, Indonesia welcomes Chinese New Year with the dominant color red, which means prosperity and family reunion. Traditional Indonesian food that is synonymous with Chinese New Year is cupcakes.
This dessert is made with coconut milk, palm sugar and fermented cassava, and is usually colored red according to the season and steamed. Cupcakes are a local adaptation of fa gao which originates from Southern China.
These are some typical Chinese New Year foods from various parts of the world. Which typical Chinese New Year food have you tried, Beauties?
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