Foods Bring Luck on Chinese New Year

If you feel like your 2012 hasn't quite started out like you'd hoped for, start again by celebrating the Chinese New Year (also know as the Lunar New Year) today, Jan. 23! 

2012 is the year of Dragon -- this will be the 4709th Chinese year. The holiday happens annually according to the lunar calendar and is celebrated over the course of a 15-day period. Friends and family gather to celebrate with lots of food, incorporating many dishes that are known to represent good luck and abundance because of their name or shape. We can all join in on the festivities by enjoying some of the symbolic “good luck” Chinese New Year foods:

Noodles: Noodles represent longevity, so it's the holiday to get messy and slurp on those long noodles with family and friends! You can make them with soup and add in cilantro, scallions and assorted meats and vegetables. Another way to make noodles is trying them stir-fried (which can be made suitable for vegetarians too) so pick up some ingredients, maybe at Sprouts in nearby Seal Beach, and get creative!

Dumplings: Dumplings are considered a lucky food to eat during the holiday because the first banknote in China was called jiaozi (which is the Chinese name for dumplings) and their shape resemble the ancient Chinese currency called yuanbao (gold ingots). The dumplings are usually filled with meat and cabbage, wrapped with a thin piece of wheat dough, and served with soy sauce and vinegar for taste. Dumplings may require a little more work to make, but if you’re up for the challenge, there are recipes or videos to help you out. You can find fresh ingredients at Sprouts or your local grocery store, such as .

Tangerines/Mandarin Oranges: The Chinese like to eat and display tangerines because the word for tangerine in Chinese sounds like “luck.” Oranges are plentiful in China, so it symbolizes abundance. There are tons of tangerines and oranges at the Cerritos Farmers Market, especially at Gonzaga Farms stand (they were selling the  last fall). Also, buying these citrus fruits with the leaves still intact represent longevity!

Spring Rolls: Because spring rolls resemble bars of gold, it is also eaten during this time to represent good fortune. They are usually filled with meats and vegetables, and you can get some crispy ones at the Edna’s Restaurant stand at the Cerritos Farmers Market.  

Whole Fish: The Chinese like to prepare the whole fish steamed, with the head and tail still intact. The word fish in Chinese (yu) is a homophone for "abundance," so they believe it will represent prosperity for the year. Call your local Chinese or seafood restaurant to check if it's on their menu. If you want to prepare it at home, here's a helpful guide to help you master this dish. 

The Cerritos Farmers Market will definitely help you find fresh vegetables and garnishes for the dishes, but many additional ingredients can be found at Asian grocery stores like KH Supermarket in Long Beach or Seafood City in Artesia. If you’re not up for too much cooking, then simply stop by the farmers market to pick up some juicy tangerines and oranges or plan take the family out for a Chinese dinner.

Either way, the important part of this celebration is to gather with family and loved ones and make it a time to reflect on this past year and share your hopes and goals for new year. 

Eat lots and Happy Chinese New Year!