Lucky Foods to Serve During the Lunar New Year

UPDATED AS OF FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Commonly known in the Philippines as Chinese New Year or Seollal in Korea, Lunar New Year is considered as a special non-working holiday. Holidays aren’t complete without serving food for the event, and there’s no mistake that people like to follow some superstitions especially during the Lunar New Year. 

As no. 8 is considered to be a lucky a number, here are 8 foods to serve during the Lunar New Year: 

Tikoy

Tikoy or Nian Gao. Photo by Camille Ting

Tikoy or Nian Gao(as known by other countries) is widely known throughout the Philippines. This glutinous rice cake is said to keep the Kitchen God’s mouth shut and avoid letting him say anything bad about you. Tikoy has a variety of colors and flavors, like white or the original flavor, a brown-colored Tikoy is made with brown sugar, the green one is made with pandan while the violet one is made with ube. 

Fish

Photo by ariasmelissa on Pixabay

The word “fish” is a homophone for the word “surplus” in the Chinese language thus serving a whole fish during the Lunar New Year would mean ’a surplus of wealth’ to the coming years.

Dumpling

Photo by David Kim

Classic lucky food for the New Year and a traditional dish is eaten on Chinese New Year's Eve dumplings have been around for more than 1,800 years. Generally, dumplings are served because ‘luck is symbolically wrapped inside’. The shape of a dumpling also resembles a golden ingot back in ancient China. Some people say that the more dumplings you eat the more money you can make in the New Year.

Sweet rice ball

Photo by Zheng Juan on Unsplash

Sweet rice balls are dipped in hot milk. Like the Fish, this dish’s pronunciation is associated with reunion and being together. That's why they are favored the most during when served.

Spring rolls

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash

Spring rolls got their name for being traditionally eaten during the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year. Fillings are wrapped in thin dough wrappers, then fried, when the spring rolls are given their golden-yellow color. It also symbolizes wealth or ‘a wish for prosperity’. 

Chicken

Photo by David Kim

A whole and unchopped chicken is shared with the family. It usually symbolizes prosperity, joy, and unity in the family.

Fruits

Photo by Camille Ting

Serving golden or orange-colored round fruits during the Lunar New Year period, such as tangerines and oranges and pomelos are considered lucky since the said fruits symbolize fullness and wealth.

Noodle

Photo by Martin Lostak on Unsplash

Noodles or Pancit has always been a staple food for parties or celebrations in the Philippines. Chinese influence also shows why this has been served on many occasions. The length of the noodles symbolizes for ‘long life’. 

Now what’s a great way to experience Lunar New Year? Traveling to the place where it’s mostly celebrated!

If you’re currently in Philippines, Binondo, Manila has the oldest and largest Chinatown in the country.

But why not travel to China? They celebrate the Lunar New Year for 15 days!

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