If you’ve ever travelled within Asia, then you’ll already know that food plays a huge role in building relationships. During the New Year celebrations that’s even more important than ever so I decided to take a look at lunar new year food traditions across the region and their symbolism. The more you understand about the customs of your business partners, the better you can understand their cultural frame of reference.
First up, the term “lunar new year”. This is what I’m using as a blanket term so however you call it be it Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, CNY, Tet, Seollal or anything else, these are all covered by this blanket expression. I’m not trying to be disrespectful of the traditions and religious connotations of the celebrations, just trying to find a common descriptor!
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The Significance of Lunar New Year Foods
The cultural significance of Lunar New Year foods is deeply rooted in tradition and symbolism. For many, these dishes are not merely items on a menu; they are imbued with meaning, representing hopes and aspirations for the year ahead. Each food consumed during this period reflects core values such as prosperity, health, and happiness — elements that resonate deeply within confucian cultures.
Imagine gathering around a table filled with an array of dishes, each carefully chosen not just for its taste but for the blessings it is believed to bring & it’s symbolic power. This connection between food and fortune for the year ahead might not always be believed by all members of the family, but most still respect it for what it represents anyhow.
The Cultural Importance of Lunar New Year Food Traditions
These traditions have evolved over centuries while still retaining their core meanings. Families often gather to prepare these symbolic dishes together, reinforcing bonds and creating lasting memories, much like Christmas in Europe or North America. The act of cooking and sharing these meals serves as a reminder of heritage, a sense of home and the values passed down through generations. For instance, the preparation of dumplings – often crafted in the shape of ancient gold ingots – symbolises wealth and prosperity. This communal aspect of food preparation not only fosters family unity but also instills a sense of belonging and cultural identity.
The significance of these foods extends beyond personal celebrations; they play a vital role in business contexts as well. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a company dinner at this time it’s fascinating to see the food is not only tasty but also selected because of culture and tradition. Understanding the meanings behind these dishes can enhance your relationships with clients and partners who celebrate the Lunar New Year, wherever you’re working in the region. A thoughtful gesture, such as sharing symbolic foods during business meetings or events, can demonstrate respect for cultural traditions while fostering goodwill.
Common Symbolic Foods
Certain foods are particularly revered during the Spring Festival for their symbolic meanings.
Oranges: The Fruit of Wealth
One of the most iconic symbols during the Lunar New Year is the orange, which is often exchanged as gifts among friends and family. The reason for this is quite simple: in Mandarin, the word for orange, “jú,” sounds similar to the word for “luck.” This phonetic similarity makes oranges a popular choice for conveying good wishes for wealth and prosperity in the coming year.
When you attend a Lunar New Year event, you might notice bowls of oranges placed prominently on tables. This isn’t just for decoration; it’s a gesture of goodwill and an invitation for abundance. If you’re hosting or participating in such an event, consider bringing a basket of oranges as a thoughtful contribution. Remember though, oranges should only be exchanged in pairs & the ones that still have a bit of stems and leaves are considered best! Odd numbers are not considered to be auspicious.
Noodles: A Symbol of Longevity
Another significant dish during the festivities is noodles, which represent longevity. In many cultures, long noodles are served uncut to symbolise a long life ahead. Imagine a beautifully presented plate of stir-fried noodles, perhaps tossed with vibrant vegetables and succulent chicken or seafood—each bite a reminder of the hopes for health and longevity in the new year.
When dining with colleagues or clients during this festive period, sharing a dish of noodles can serve as a powerful metaphor for wishing them well. Just don’t make the mistake of cutting up your noodles or there’ll be a really sharp intake of breath around the table!
Dumplings: Wealth Wrapped in Tradition
Dumplings are perhaps one of the most beloved symbolic lunar new year food traditions. Often shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, these delightful morsels are filled with various ingredients that signify wealth and prosperity. The act of making dumplings is a traditional group activity in many families – family members often gather to prepare them together.
When attending a Lunar New Year gathering that features dumplings, take a moment to appreciate their significance. You might consider asking about the fillings used; each ingredient can tell a story or carry its own symbolism. For instance, pork might represent wealth, while chives are associated with good fortune.
Fish: A Wish for Surplus
Fish is another staple on any New Year table, embodying wishes for surplus and abundance. The word for fish (“yú”) sounds like “surplus” in Mandarin, making it an essential part of celebratory meals. When served whole, fish signifies completeness and unity within the family. (I just hang a fish decoration up in my living room…& leaving eating or cooking it for other people!) So serving fish at the New Year table is believed to ensure that your wealth will increase in the coming year. If you want to be especially lucky then don’t finish it all off but leave some for a meal on a following day…
Rice: For Growth and Progress
Rice cakes, or “niangao,” are also significant during this time. The character “nian” means “year,” while “gao” sounds like “tall” or “high,” symbolising growth and progress. Eating rice cakes is thought to usher in a year of advancement and success, and who doesn’t wish for that?
Sweet Treats: Celebrating Togetherness
Sweet foods also play an integral role during New Year celebrations, symbolising family unity and togetherness. One popular treat is tangyuan—glutinous rice balls filled with sweet fillings such as black sesame paste or red bean paste. These round balls reflect wholeness and togetherness, making them perfect for family reunions. They’re also one of my favourite Asian desserts although I’m not very good at making these!
Regional Variations: A Tapestry of Flavours
It’s also important to acknowledge the regional variations both within China and across the wider region, that enrich this culinary tapestry. While dumplings may dominate Northern Chinese celebrations, Southern regions might favour rice cakes or steamed buns filled with sweet ingredients. Each region has its unique interpretations of these foods, often influenced by local customs and historically available ingredients.
Tet Food Traditions
In Vietnam, “Bánh Chưng,” (a square sticky rice cake filled with layers of mung beans and pork spiced with black pepper, fish sauce and occasionally spring onions) is wrapped in a lá dong leaf & takes centre stage during Tet (Lunar New Year). This dish represents an “ode to the earth and the sky” and is typically prepared with great care by families who come together to honour their ancestors.
Pickled vegetables are another one of the popular tet food traditions, representing balance and the desire for harmony throughout the whole year.
In Vietnam, one dish you’ll always spot during Tet is xoi gac, a bright orange-red sticky rice. The unique colour comes from gac, a vibrant fruit native to Asia, also called baby jackfruit in English.
The flesh of the gac fruit is a striking deep red, giving xoi gac its signature hue. In many Asian cultures, red is a symbol of luck, happiness, and celebration, which makes this dish especially meaningful for the Lunar New Year.
Xoi gac is made by steaming white sticky rice with gac fruit, coconut milk, and sugar, resulting in a subtly sweet, fragrant dish. I do love me some sticky rice…!
Seollal Food Traditions
In Korea, Tteokguk (Rice Cake Soup) is traditional at Seollal (the Lunar New Year). Eating this soup marks the passing of the year and the start of a fresh one, with the belief it adds a year to your life. Koreans may even ask a person their age by saying “how many bowls of tteokguk have you eaten?” The soup includes broth, vegetables and thin, round pieces of rice cake. The round shape it said to symbolise old Korean money. So, tteokguk is said to bring riches, too.
You might also be served Jeon (pancakes made with kimchi, vegetables, seafood and/or meat). This symbolises harmony and the importance of sharing food during festive meals.
Or how about Sikhye (식혜) a Sweet Rice Drink? This traditional drink is served during Seollal and is thought to cleanse the stomach after a large meal. It also symbolises good health, sweetness in life, and a fresh start to the year.
Chinese New Year Food Traditions in Singapore and Malaysia
In Singapore or Malaysia yusheng or yee sang (a raw fish salad) is tossed as high as possible to guarantee prosperity in the year ahead (lo hei). This is one of those things that you will probably experience with work colleagues around the new year period even if it’s not a formal dinner.
And it wouldn’t be Chinese New Year in Singapore, Indonesia or Malaysia without pineapple tarts. The Hokkien word for pineapple sounds like “prosperity arrives.” Are you seeing a common theme here?
Other popular traditional Lunar New Year dishes
Spring Rolls (often known as lumpia): filled with pork, vegetables and chives before being fried golden brown. Who can resist? These also represent prosperity and their name comes from the Chinese name of the New Year festival – Spring Festival.
Thai Kanom Pia: Typically these are filled with salted egg yolk and sweet bean paste, making kanom pia a bit like a Thai version of mooncakes. The flaky pastry exterior encases a fudgey core and is often stamped with a symbol of prosperity. Kanom Pia is sometimes steeped in candle smoke to infuse the bakes with a really distinct smokey flavour profile.
Mochi in Japan: Often associated with renewal and longevity.
Filipino Tikoy: A glutinous rice cake inspired by Chinese traditions but adapted to Filipino tastes.
Hong Kong Poon Choi: According to Tatler, Poon choi is a traditional Cantonese casserole brimming with an assortment of ingredients, with variety representing wealth and prosperity. Existing in Hong Kong for over seven centuries, the dish symbolised unity in walled villages since its preparation required extensive collaboration. Each ingredient in Poon choi is individually prepared and painstakingly layered in a large bowl, with fish maw, duck, and daikon being common inclusions. The dish has a rich history rooted in paying tribute to ancestry, community, and new beginnings.
Kue Mangkok in Indonesia: Kue mangkok is a traditional food specific to Chinese-Indonesian cuisine and rather like a kind of cupcake. Steamed and typically dyed red for the season, the dessert is a local adaptation of South Chinese fa gao, made unique with tropical produce like coconut milk, palm sugar, and fermented cassava.
Foods that you SHOULDN’T serve during your Chinese New Year dinner…
Of course there are also some foods which are considered inauspicious or unlucky and are therefore not often included in New Year reunion dinners.
Bitter or sour foods – These can symbolise hardship or bitterness in the coming year. People prefer sweet and savoury dishes to represent happiness and abundance.
White foods – In some cultures, white is associated with mourning and funerals. This can include items like tofu or certain white desserts, which may be avoided depending on regional customs.
Crab or shrimp – In some traditions, foods that move sideways (like crabs) or backward (like shrimp) are avoided, as they are believed to symbolise setbacks or regression.
Porridge – Traditionally seen as a symbol of poverty, porridge is avoided during Lunar New Year to attract prosperity instead.
Broken dishes – While not a specific food, serving food on cracked plates or breaking dishes during the New Year celebration is considered highly inauspicious, as it signifies broken luck or relationships.
Unlucky homophones – Foods that sound similar to words with negative meanings might be avoided. For example, in some dialects, pears are avoided because the word for pear sounds like the word for “separation.”
Shared themes among Lunar New Year Food Traditions
You can see that wherever that dinner is served the common themes are family, unity, prosperity and gratitude. And of course, there are more foods and regional traditions than this, but they are often variations on these themes!
I’ve always felt it was one of the greatest privileges to be invited to participate in a company’s New Year celebrations as you really get to see the company culture including all those red envelopes. And yes, it can be a little awkward when you realise you’re also expected to perform something or make a speech…. But if the Lunar New Year is such a family festival, why should you know about the symbolic significance of food during the festivities if you’re doing business in the region?
Understanding Cultural Context
If you want to build strong and effective relationships in the region then it’s essential that you understand the cultural context. Each dish is steeped in meaning, often representing wishes for prosperity, health, and happiness for the coming year. For instance, fish is not merely a meal but a symbol of abundance; its presence at the table signifies hopes for surplus in one’s life. Similarly, dumplings are crafted to resemble ancient gold ingots, embodying the desire for wealth. Recognising these meanings allows you to have deeper conversations with your business partners before and after this period
Imagine hosting a business dinner on the run up to Lunar New Year where symbolic foods are served. The atmosphere can be transformed by discussing the significance of each dish, creating an engaging narrative that resonates with your guests. This shows your understanding of the cultural context and interest in the important traditions of the region. This conversational approach not only enriches the dining experience but also demonstrates respect for Lunar New Year traditions.
Building Relationships Through Shared Traditions
The act of sharing meals during Lunar New Year is deeply rooted in building relationships and reinforcing social bonds. When inviting clients to celebrate Lunar New Year with you, consider including these symbolic foods in your hospitality offerings. A thoughtfully curated meal featuring chicken, fish, rice cakes, and sweet treats like tangyuan can create a warm atmosphere that encourages open dialogue and collaboration.
Additionally, sending thoughtful gifts that include symbolic lunar new year foods can be a powerful gesture of goodwill. A beautifully packaged assortment of oranges—symbolising luck—or a selection of sweet rice cakes can convey your respect for cultural traditions while expressing your best wishes for the new year. Such gestures resonate deeply with clients and partners, reinforcing positive relationships that go beyond mere transactions because it demonstrates your cultural understanding.
Engaging with Local Communities
For businesses looking to expand their reach within Asian markets, engaging with local communities during Lunar New Year celebrations can be particularly impactful. Marketing around the new year festivities has to be done in a culturally empathetic way – see also my post on Chinese New Year Marketing.
Have you ever participated in a Lunar New Year dinner? And was it fun? Or was it a stuffy corporate affair?
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Kathryn firmly believes that business is done between people, and therefore places her focus on building strong relationships that form a solid foundation for doing business.
When she's not travelling around the world, Kathryn enjoys playing clarinet in her town's wind orchestra or sharing her love of the outdoors with her Scout group.
