Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is more than just fireworks, red lanterns, and lion dances; it’s a celebration steeped in symbolism. At the heart of the festivities lies the reunion dinner, where families gather to share dishes believed to invite prosperity, happiness, and longevity. In 2026, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, a zodiac cycle associated with passion, ambition, and bold transformation. What better way to align with this fiery energy than through food? Each dish served during the New Year carries meaning, and eating them is thought to set intentions for the year ahead.
Dumplings for Wealth and Prosperity: Shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, dumplings symbolize wealth. Families often gather to make dumplings together on New Year’s Eve, ensuring prosperity for the coming year. The more dumplings you eat, the more wealth you’re believed to attract.
Fish for Abundance: The word for fish sounds like “surplus” in Chinese, making it a must-have dish. Serving a whole fish represents unity and abundance. Tradition dictates leaving some fish uneaten, symbolizing that prosperity will carry over into the next year.
Spring Rolls for Wealth and Fresh Beginnings: Golden and crispy, spring rolls resemble bars of gold. They’re eaten to usher in wealth and symbolize a fresh start, perfectly aligning with the Fire Horse’s energy of renewal and ambition.
Glutinous Rice Cake for Higher Achievements: “Niángāo” (rice cake) translates to “year higher,” symbolizing progress, growth, and success. Eating rice cake is believed to help you rise in status, career, or personal achievements.
Longevity Noodles for Long Life: These extra-long noodles are never cut, representing a long and healthy life. Slurping them whole is a playful yet symbolic way to invite longevity.
Sweet Rice Balls for Family Unity: Round and sweet, tangyuan symbolize togetherness and harmony. They’re especially popular during the Lantern Festival, marking the end of the New Year celebrations.
Steamed Chicken for Rebirth and Family Prosperity: Chicken is often served whole, representing completeness and rebirth. It’s also linked to family prosperity, making it a staple at reunion dinners.
Oranges and Tangerines for Good Fortune: Bright and golden, these fruits symbolize wealth and luck. Their round shape represents completeness, while their vibrant colour mirrors gold. Offering oranges to guests is a gesture of good fortune.
Sticky Rice with Lotus Seeds for Fertility and Harmony: This dessert is often enjoyed by families hoping for children or harmony in relationships. Lotus seeds symbolize fertility, while sticky rice represents strong family bonds.
Hot Pot for Unity and Prosperity: Hot pot is not only delicious but also symbolic. Sharing a bubbling pot represents family unity, while the variety of ingredients reflects abundance and prosperity.