The Lunar New Year is a significant traditional Chinese holiday and is widely celebrated in many parts of East Asia, such as China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and by the majority of Cambodians who are of Chinese origin.

It is a time for families to come together and celebrate the autumn season. After the New Year, it is considered to be the second-largest festival in China. Traditional food plays a vital role in the celebrations, and FoodBuzz has introduced 12 classic dishes that are typically served during family reunion celebrations.

1. Mooncake: A popular cake for the Lunar New Year this cake represents the full moon, its’ taste is a combination of flour, nuts, red beans, and salted eggs.

2. Tang Yuan cake: This cake is usually composed of black sesame, red bean, or peanut. The cake is round and it represents unity and gatheration.

3. Grapefruit: A special kind of fruit that is well-known for celebrating the Lunar New Year, and it is often used as a gift for relatives and friends on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. This particular fruit represents abundance, prosperity, and good luck.

4. Chinese Roasted duck: is a very popular dish that is used for occasions and almost every traditional celebration. The dried and flavorful skin and flesh are perfect for any special holiday celebration.

5. Sweet Osmanthus Jelly: A jelly made from Osmanthus flowers, this special flower looks like a tiny golden flower, which provides a nice and refreshing texture in the jelly whale the jelly offers a very rich calming, and smooth flavor, that makes you feel at ease the moment you had it.  

6. Four-season duck: This is a special dish where the whole duck is loaded and filled with four kinds of flavorful ingredients treasures such as mushrooms, raisins, Chinese grapes, and tofu. This traditional dish also represents wealth and abundance.

7. Shanghai Crab: In some areas, the Shanghai Crab (Fur Crab) is one of the most harmonious dishes when it comes to the Lunar New Year and that is the reason why people enjoy these delicacies during their holidays.

8. Fish: Fish is a common dish in many traditional Chinese festivals, including this Lunar New Year. The Chinese word for fish is "鱼", which sounds like a word that represents something special and rare, that is why most people believe that eating fish is associated with a desire for prosperity, wealth heath as well and power.

9. Pork belly stew: This dish consists of pork fat cooked in a sauce that tastes tender and outstanding. It is also one of the most special dishes in any Asian gathering and it represents family reunion, happiness, joy, and completeness.

10. Green Vegetables: Most greens such as kale, spinach, or morning glory often have it present in the diet when it comes to health, which also represents good health.

11. 5 flavors of tofu: This dish consists of tofu roasted in a special sauce prepared with five kinds of spices and soy sauce. It is the best dish who vegetarians who want to enjoy and celebrate the Lunar New Year.

12. Longevity cake: one of the most important desserts for the moon festival. This sticky and sweet cake symbolizes the growth, progress, and achievement in the coming years.

These popular traditional dishes have a deep meaning that makes the Lunar New Year more special. They represent happiness, reunion, health, and wealth. Chinese traditional dishes and meals are known throughout regions from one to another. However, all the 12 mentioned dishes are the most well-known as much as simplefied foods, which are associated with the Lunar New Year.