Happy Lunar New Year! Based on the phases of the moon, the lunar calendar typically begins its new year in late January to mid-February. This year, Lunar New Year landed on January 29, marking the beginning of a 15-day-long celebration full of fireworks, lion dances, banquet meals, red envelopes, and community.
In honor of the Year of the Snake beginning yesterday, here are some traditional Lunar New Year foods you should try based on your Chinese zodiac sign.
Rat: Pineapple Buns 菠蘿包
(1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032)
Rats are known for their ambition and honesty. Try a pineapple bun from your local Chinese bakery. A soft and chewy sweet bun topped with a crumbly craquelin, pineapple buns are a classic (and addictive) midday snack.
Ox: Dumplings 饺子
(1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033)
Ox are patient and caring. Eat some Chinese dumplings to promote wealth during the Year of the Snake. With a meat filling inside flour wrappings, dumplings are either served boiled or pan fried. They are shaped similarly to Chinese silver lingots, signifying money and prosperity.
Tiger: Tangyuan 汤圆
(1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034)
Tigers are courageous, yet sensitive. Try tangyuan, which is a traditional dish for the Lantern Festival (but people often eat them throughout Lunar New Year). These glutinous rice balls stuffed with black sesame in a sweet broth make the best sweet, warming dessert. They truly feel like a hug.
Rabbit: Longevity Noodles 长寿面
(1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035)
Rabbits are talented, affectionate, and shy. Eat longevity noodles for happiness and longevity. These noodles are commonly eaten on the first day of Lunar New Year in northern China. While recipes vary, it is important that the noodles are not broken before eating. While eating, you must also eat whole noodles, or else it is bad luck.
Dragon: Lion’s Head Meatballs 狮子头
(1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036)
Dragons are strong and independent. Lion’s head meatballs are a symbol of strength and unity, perfectly complementing the Dragon’s traits. These pork meatballs are steamed with vegetables in a slightly sweet sauce. Served over rice, they are delicious.
Snake: Mooncakes 月饼
(1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037)
Snakes are wise, yet vain. Try mooncakes, which are typically eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. These pastries have a variety of different fillings: red bean, mung bean, lotus seed paste, pork sung, egg yolk, and more. The mooncake outside is deliciously sweet and crumbly, making a great snack or dessert.
Horse: Steamed Fish With Ginger & Scallions 鱼
(1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038)
Horses are attractive, yet impatient. Eat steamed fish for prosperity this Lunar New Year. Topped with soy sauce, ginger, and scallions — fish cooked this way is light, yet flavorful.
Sheep: Pork Buns 叉烧包
(1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039)
Sheep are creative and compassionate. Eat pork buns, which are steamed or baked buns filled with a sweet roast pork filling. With a bright red inside, the colors of pork buns recall good luck for this year.
Monkey: Sesame Balls 煎堆
(1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040)
Monkeys are cunning, intelligent, and social. A classic dim sum treat, sesame balls are perfect for an afternoon banquet meal, or on the go from a Chinese bakery. With a smooth red bean filling inside of a mochi-like glutinous rice dough rolled in sesame seeds, sesame balls are absolutely divine.
Rooster: Peking Duck 北京烤鴨
(1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041)
Roosters are devoted and knowledge-thirsty. Beat the battle of the poultry by indulging in a Peking duck meal, generally served in two courses. Try this crispy, fatty duck in a bao bun with hoisin sauce, cucumber, and scallions. Then, slurp up a delicious duck soup made from the leftover carcasses. Peking duck is a common fancy meal, reserved for special nights.
Dog: Poached Chicken 白切鸡
(1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042)
Dogs are loyal and honest, yet sometimes lazy. Try Chinese poached chicken, a common appetizer. Its yellow hue is characteristic of Chinese yellow chickens, which are a delicacy. Served with a soy-based sauce, poached chicken is simple, yet immensely flavorful.
Pig: Nian Gao 年糕
(1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043)
Pigs are noble and considerate. For Lunar New Year, eat nian gao, also known as sticky rice cake or Lunar New Year cake. Made with glutinous rice flour, ground ginger, and brown sugar — nian gao is sticky and chewy, similar to mochi. It is steamed, sliced, and best served pan fried.