What to eat for Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year has come, and, according to the lunar-solar system of chronology, the year of the White (metal) Rat began on January 25. This holiday is traditionally celebrated in China, South Korea and Vietnam, as well as in countries with large Chinese diasporas, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Food plays a key role during the celebration: many families prepare traditional dishes that include ingredients that, according to beliefs, bring good luck, prosperity and longevity in the new year. We have selected 21 dishes suitable for celebrating the Chinese New Year. All of them are extremely appetizing and aesthetically beautiful.

Korean soup with rice dumplings ttokkuk is eaten on the Lunar New Year in South Korea. Eating it symbolizes getting older by a year. It is also associated with purity, clarity and longevity.

Whole steamed fish is a mandatory component of the festive table. Eating animals whole, not gutted, when served on the table symbolizes family unity.

Red glutinous rice is a mandatory component of the celebration of the New Year in Vietnam. The red color is achieved by adding breadfruit and symbolizes wealth.

Roasted stewed duck is a fragrant alternative to Peking duck and a symbol of fertility.

Macaroons resemble coins and symbolize good luck in the new year.

Boiled cabbage pak choi is served to the festive table with soy sauce. In China, this kind of cabbage is synonymous with wealth and prosperity.

Stewed chicken with walnuts is another New Year's hit. After all, both chicken and walnuts represent family unity. In addition, this is a great dish to share with your loved ones.

Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce is also served on Chinese New Year. The long stalks of cabbage symbolize youth and a long and healthy life.

Cooking and preserving fruits with sugar as a treat for guests is a Vietnamese tradition. Candied orange peels are served on New Year's Eve according to the lunar calendar, since oranges are a symbol of good luck and wealth.

This long and elastic noodles do not break and therefore symbolize longevity and eternity. It is served with black sesame seeds and shallots.

Dumplings are popular because they resemble ancient Chinese gold coins. The more of them, the better, and there can be a lot of filling options. For example, with daikon and pork.

This vegetarian dish "Buddha's Delight" is usually eaten by Buddhist monks. Each of the ingredients symbolizes different types of luck.

Chinese traditional sweet rice cookies nyangao represents progress, advancement and growth.

A bright and juicy salad of fresh vegetables and fish is popular in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. It should be shared with the family, because vegetables also symbolize family unity.

Tea eggs in Chinese are a symbol of wealth, prosperity and fertility.

Turnip pies with sausages and bacon represent growing luck and advancement in school or at work.

Korean dumplings with kimchi are called mandu and are also an integral part of the festive table for the New Year according to the lunar calendar.

It is believed that these Chinese-Malaysian fried shrimp with pineapple bring both money and good mood. Pineapples symbolize prosperity, and in Cantonese the word "shrimp" is consonant with "laughter".

Buttery and very appetizing pineapple pies are a Taiwanese delicacy that embodies wealth and good luck.

Vietnamese New Year's delicacy — bantyung, which looks like small wrapped gifts. This is a pie made of glutinous rice, mung beans and pork, steamed.

Korean stewed ribs are served on holidays and special occasions, such as the Lunar New Year, as they take quite a long time to prepare. Fortunately, most of the cooking time is stewing, and the result is simply delicious.