Welcome to the Chinese New Year season! Whether you are celebrating or not, it is an iconic time of festivity in China and also in Cambodia. For such occasions, a beautiful feast is always waiting including 8 lucky traditional dishes that have never been missed out on the table! Aren’t you curious about the meanings behind these dishes and why they are the stars of the celebration?

1. Longevity Noodle

Never a year gone without the iconic noodle! You will see stirred fried noodles everywhere, especially for Chinese New Year. This is because this dish is called ‘Longevity Noodle’ as the longer the noodle strand is, the longer you live. So don’t forget to try some while wishing yourself and your family healthy long lives!

2. Tray of Togetherness

If you have seen a tray with various snacks, candies, and nuts of all different types, don’t be curious anymore. This dish has up to 6 or 8 ingredients as the numbers represent luck and fortune! Moreover, the whole dish, itself, means peace, harmony, and togetherness of a family just like its name!

3. Spring Rolls

Just looking and your mouth will water! From the way it is shaped to its color, don’t spring rolls look familiar? The round shape and golden color is made to represent ‘gold bars’! So that’s why it is eaten for wealth and fortune!

4. Oranges

Whether it’s a mandarin, kumquats, or other type of citrus, orange is all about luck and wealth! What’s interesting is that the Chinese word for ‘orange’ is written similarly to the word ‘luck and wealth’ and even the orange color symbolizes ‘prosperity’ for the Chinese. No wonder why, we always see mandarin oranges during the New Year!

5. Fish

Fish has also made very frequent appearances, especially steam fish with sauce! It is believed that fish brings abundance to your life due to how it’s Chinese word is pronounced the same as the Chinese word for ‘abundance’. It brings about new  blessings!

6. Sweet Rice Balls

Apart from its colorful theme, the shape of sweet rice balls symbolizes ‘unity’ and its Chinese name is pronounced similar to the Chinese word for ‘reunion’. Basically, it is eaten for the harmony and togetherness of a family!

7. Prosperity Cake

Prosperity cake is already very popular in Cambodia and you can almost find it every season at the local market! Its Chinese name is translated to ‘Prosperity’, hence the name. The more your cake’s top is split, the more lucky you will get as it is believed! 

8. Dumplings

No matter if it’s chicken, shrimp, or vegetable stuffing, based on a Chinese legend, you will earn more money if you eat a lot of dumplings! The more of the number, the better! So, bring home some dumplings!

 During this Chinese New Year, if you want to experience the festivity and feast like traditional Chinese then don’t forget these 8 dishes for New Year’s blessings.