Wish you all a wealthy Chinese New Year! In welcoming the Year of the Ox, it’s high time to have some delicious food, including traditional snacks and sumptuous dishes. Every year the occasion has heaps of local delicacies that symbolize luck, prosperity and happiness that are popular all through the year. Here, we present top CNY goodies you can’t afford to miss out on this year in this article below.
1. Nian Gao
Nian Gao which is also referred commonly as ‘sticky rice cake’ is a traditional sweet food prepare from glutinous rice flour. Moreover, Chinese people prefer it to be consumed in Chinese New Year since the pronunciation is close to the word ‘higher year’ and ‘more year’. This dish is generally prepared by either braising, steaming or frying, and in different flavors such as vanilla, peanut and red bean. This soft and moist cake is a must-bake during Chinese New Year celebration.
2. Pineapple Tarts
Feng Leshu or more commonly known as pineapple tarts are another finger licking must have during Chinese New Year. They are yummy confectioneries made from pastry dough that has been trademarked by a tangy pineapple paste. Bright, eye-popping green in color and emitting a sweet and refreshing fragrance that remind one of fresh pineapple, pineapple tarts also represent wealth or more specifically luck. They are irresistible and many homes spend so many weeks practicing on pineapple tart recipes or even buying from famous bakeries.
3. Love Letters
Feng Feng Zhang, also known as love letters, are as delicate and flaky as, you guessed it, love letters, and are usually made out of a rich dough that is encasing sweet red bean or sesame paste. The name “love letters” itself to a certain extent hints at its rolled up form, resembling rolled letters. Love letters are believed to be a lucky thing, or rather a lucky food item related to love, harmony, and families during Chinese New Year. They’re delightful and do not be surprised if you wouldn’t want to miss them this festive season.
4. Bak Kwa
Bak Kwa or ‘barbecued pork jerky’ has been savoured as a snack for Chinese New Year, due to its exquisite taste. Bak Kwa is a snack food that is barbecued and is made from lean pork, sugar, five-spice powder and soy sauce, the product has a smoky flavor that will dancing in your taste buds. They are usually consumed thinly sliced through servings, either wrapped in a piece of paper or parchment and served with family and friends. Like most traditional cakes or kueh, Bak Kwa is synonymous with blessings of good prosperity which means one should be rewarded with at least a big slice to augur well during Chinese New Year.
5. Ang Kuo Choi
The snack is known as Ang Kuo Choi or “red tortoise cake” which is associated with Chinese New Year and considered as a symbol of money, happiness and good life. These delights include balls made from sweet fermented glutinous rice, sweet red bean paste, sometimes pieces of pork belly, wrapped in aromatic pandan leaves. Because red is considered lucky, these Ang Kuo Chois can be filled in red bean paste to make them even more lucky. Go for this tasty snack during the coming holiday season you will not regret it.
6. Kumquat Candy
Yu Zi Tang or Kumquat candy, is a sweet confection, prepared from the small, fragrant kumquat fruit. It is prepared by boiling the candy and making a thick syrup then coated with sugar and has sweet and tangy taste and chewy texture irresistible. Kumquats are more so in a way symbolized with luck and success; this is more reason why they are taken during the celebration of Chinese New Year.
7. Osmanthus Lemonade
Osmanthus lemonade, also known as Yu Ping Feng Lu, is a warm – brewed drink that is usually taken during Chinese New Year time. A Traditional sickbay drink brewed from osmanthus flowers, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup is sweet and sour that all Chinese people love. Osmanthus flaunts is revered to depict abundance and richness hence a cup of this sweet lemonade is perfect during this fruity season.
8. Peanut Cookies
Hua Sheng Su is a sweet and crispy peanut cookie that is a traditional cookie to part of the Chinese New Year celebration. A delightful peanut cookies recipe prepared from ground peanuts, sugar, and flour; which are crunchy, buttery, and tasty. : “They’re mostly packaged in classy gift boxes, which makes them ideal to share with everyone particularly friends and relatives.”
9. Moon Cakes
Moon cakes may specifically be related to the Mid-Autumn Festival season, but they are also a common delicacies during the Chinese New Year celebrations. It’s a round hence it’s presented in a round shape with different ingredients in fillings including the traditional lotus seed paste, durian, and the black sesame. These tasty sweet accoutrements are often themselves decorated with intricate patterns and are usually consumed in bite sizes. Moon cakes are symbolic of family and every Lunar new year must see that they are on the menu.
10. Sesame Seed Balls
Another form of sweet or snack that can be easily bought over the counter during CNY is Sesame seed ball or Zhi Ma Qiu. They are scrumptious balls prepared with a starchy rice flour covering that enfolds sweetened adzuki bean or lotus seed paste, which is dusted in sesame seeds and fried to a crisp. It is crunchier crispier and sweeter and you can chew on it to satisfy you hunger.
All in all, Chinese New Year is a celebration of tradition, prosperity, and indulgence, with CNY goodies and tempting meals taking center stage as symbols of luck, wealth, and joy. Loaded with auspicious meanings, these delightful snacks and sweets are more than just treats—they’re a way to kickstart the Year of the Ox (or any Lunar New Year) on the right note.
During the festivities of this bright and sunny holiday, don’t miss the chance to savor these irresistible delicacies and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this wonderful celebration. Let CNY goodies add an extra touch of happiness and flavor to your New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!
