Aside from spending time with family and friends, the 15 days of celebration involve a lot of eating.
How foods are prepared, served and positioned on the dining table also matter.
1.Steamed whole fish
Fish is a homonym for abundance.
Photo: Getty Images / Edwin Tan
It symbolizes the Chinese idiom “May you always have more than you need.”
Traditionally, half of the fish is saved for the next day.
The placement of thesteamed fishon the dining table is also crucial.
It is customary to place the head pointing toward the elders and guests at the table.
The host will let them eat the fish first to show respect.
2.Poached whole chicken
A whole chicken represents togetherness and family unity.
When an entirechickenis served, including the head and feet, it signifies reunion and completeness.
Only then is it served it at the dining table.
A whole chicken with head and feet may be a rare find at your local market.
You may need to look for one from an Asian grocer.
If so, you must try this recipe forLongevity Noodles with Spicy Pork & Vegetables.
These noodles will bring a long and happy life to whoever is eating them.
The noodles may be prepared and served in broth or fried.
Their appearance resembles silver ingots, an ancient currency used in China.
you might enjoy themsteamed, pan-fried or boiled.
They are a Cantonese version of dumplings from the North, also known as sweet fried dumplings.
They are fried in a wok of cooking oil.
5.Spring rolls
Spring rolls are more than just pan- or deep-fried appetizers.
They are a traditional Lunar New Year food eaten to welcome the spring season.
The word vegetable is a homonym for wealth.
They are boiled in water and served in a hot, sweet, gingery broth.
This iconic caramel-colored cake originated in the South.
One red date is used as a garnish on the cake and has additional meaning.
Date is a homonym for early, meaning that you may have an early head start on life.
Eating this rice cake is also meant to bring good luck in the new year.
The name, year cake, is a homonym for higher or taller.
Steam a portion of the cake, slice it into pieces, then serve.
Alternatively, dip the uncooked, sliced rectangular pieces into an egg wash and pan-fry.
