The Lunar New Year is a important festival for the Chinese around the world. It is also a period of feasting and here are some of the festive snacks enjoyed in Singapore or the Southeast Asia.

From Come Let's Eat :
Carrots:

鸿运当头 (Hong Yun Dang Tou) meaning “Good luck is approaching"

 

Green Radish:
青春常驻 (Qing Chun Chang Zhu) meaning “Everlasting Youth“

 

White Radish:
风生水起 (Feng Sheng Shui Qi) meaning “Quick progression”

 

Pepper / Cinnamon Powder:
招财进宝 (Zhao Cai Jin Bao) meaning “Attract wealth and treasures”

 

Five-Spice Powder:
五福临门 (Wu Fu Lin Men) meaning "To attract luck to your doorstep"

 

Sesame Oil:
财源广进 (Cai Yuan Guang Jin) meaning "to attract many sources of wealth" 

 

Pomelo or Lime:
大吉大利 (Da Ji Da Li) meaning “Good luck and smooth sailing”

 

Fish:
年年有余 (Nian Nian You Yu) meaning “Abundance through the year”

 

Sesame Seeds:
生意兴隆/大小平安 (Sheng Yi Xing Long/Da Xiao Ping An) meaning “Prosperity for the business”/ "Peace for all ages"

 

Plum Sauce:
甜甜蜜蜜 (Tian Tian Mi Mi) meaning “May sweetness enter your life”

 

Fried Crisps:
满地黄金/金银满屋 (Man Di Huang Jin) / (Jin Yin Man Wu) meaning “Floor full of gold” / “Household filled with gold and silver”

There are various reasons why certain items are being served during Lunar New Year. Here are some of them:

In the above nine items are some of the food presented in the Tray of Togetherness (攢盒 or chun he), a normally octagonal shaped box with compartments.

Candied Lotus Root : Represents abundance year after year.

Candied Lotus Seeds : Represents fertility. Normally seeds represents fertility and having many offsprings.

Candied Coconut : Represents togetherness.

Candied Winter Melon : Represents growth and good health.

Candied Carrots : Good luck (red colour)

Red Melon Seeds : Lucky colour, and represents fertility and happiness.

Black Melon Seeds : Represents fertility like the red melon seeds.

Sources : thehongkongcookery.com , www.nationsonline.org, www.travelchannel.com, baike.baidu


© Lee Xin Li 2015