From Dumplings to Whole Fish: The Lucky Foods That Make Lunar New Year Celebrations Meaningful

Every dish tells a story during Lunar New Year. The foods that fill the table during this celebration aren’t chosen at random. Each ingredient, each preparation, and each presentation carries a deeper meaning — one rooted in hopes for wealth, health, happiness, and a fresh start.

Across cultures and regions, what’s served at the Lunar New Year table is meant to set the tone for the entire year ahead. Many of the dishes are selected for their symbolic meanings, often tied to wordplay, shape, or appearance. Ingredients that resemble coins, gold ingots, or long strands are believed to attract wealth, longevity, and good fortune. It’s a tradition that transforms a meal into something far more powerful: a shared ritual of optimism.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most important lucky foods and what they represent.

Dumplings: A Golden Symbol of Wealth

Few foods are as closely associated with Lunar New Year as dumplings. These small, folded parcels of dough and filling are one of the most iconic lucky foods of the holiday, symbolizing wealth and abundance. Their shape resembles ancient Chinese currency, and eating them during the New Year is thought to invite financial prosperity in the coming months.

For many ...