Chinese New Year or the Lunar new year is nearing, and we can't wait to fill our tables with the foods that are partnered with good luck. But with the emergence of COVID-19, this year's Lunar New Year will be different since celebrations and festivities will have to cancel to avoid the current spread of SARS-CoV-2 that might add up to the positive cases of the virus. To celebrate with our Asian friends, must-have foods during the Chinese New Year must be present at your table this year.
According to The Foodellers, Chinese New year is the biggest celebration or the most important celebration in China, and it lasts up to two weeks, noting that this is the only time that China shuts down. But because our fellow Chinese friends are present worldwide, the whole world celebrates with them as well.
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In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Chinese food expert and multicultural marketing consultant, Natalie Keng shares that the dishes prepared during the Lunar New year are anchored in symbolism and history. Keng adds that the Lunar New year is celebrated with Lucky foods to prepare for the coming year. To give you an idea of what foods to prepare, here is the list of the foods you need to prepare this coming Chinese New Year.
According to Cosmopolitan, whole roast meats are traditionally incorporated into the menu. They add that different meats have a different meaning in the Chinese culture, like chicken symbolizes wealth.
Reader's Digest shares that spring rolls should also be placed on your dinner table because this dish represents the beginning of the year ahead. They also add that since spring rolls usually have yellow wrapping, this food also represents gold bars symbolizing wealth.
If you have been to your Chinese friend this time of the year, you might have seen sticky balls that are sweet and flavorful. According to KCRW, Tang Yuan or sweet rice balls are made with glutinous rice flour and can come in their simplest form or color white or stuffed with fillings such as black sesame, red bean peanut paste. Jet Set Times shares that this dish symbolizes family togetherness.
Cosmopolitan notes that according to the Chinese superstitions, oranges are famous for bringing good luck while tangerines bring good wealth. Reader's Digest adds that the oranges also symbolizes abundance and happiness.
The Foodellers shares that fish is also a traditional Chinese New Year dish, and the one to be served (often steamed) depends on the family's wishes. They note that the crucian carp symbolizes good luck, Chinese mud carp symbolizes good fortune, while catfish symbolizes surplus in the year. The Foodellers also share that the fish should be the last dish to be served because it needs to be positioned on the dinner table as it is also known to be a good omen in having more money.
Try to incorporate these must-have foods of Chinese New Year and immerse your family in good luck for the upcoming year. Remember that celebrating one's culture can be desirable to look at if it is done most finely and adequately.
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