Must Have Foods for Chinese New Year

The Chinese community has always been regarded as the world's most notorious food eaters !

Come Chinese New Year, they have come up with various reasons for laying food on the table. And the food picking have very much to do with wealth, health and happiness :)

A few must have(s) are:

1) Lettuce - lettuce in Chinese sounds like 'making money'
2) Lettuce roll (Spring roll) - the action of wrapping food in lettuce leaves carries the meaning of 'Definitely having a baby soon', good for newly-weds.
3) Seaweed - the special hair-like seaweed sounds like 'Get Rich'
4) Bamboo shoot - indicates 'New Start', also means 'Advancing in Career'
5) Fish - this is a must in every New Year meals as it indicates 'Having leftovers of Money'
6) Prawns - the pronunciation of prawns in Chinese sounds like the laughing sound, and thus carries the meaning 'Happiness'
6) Abalone - carries the meaning 'Definite Good Fortune'
7) Lotus seeds - carries the meaning 'Getting Many Siblings'
8) Walnut - carries the meaning 'Happiness of the Entire Family'
9) Cashew Nuts - its shape symbolises the 'Gold Bar' of ancient times
10) Mandarin oranges - its pronunciation sounds like 'Gold'

Here the Star has a very insightful article ... http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2009/1/25/health/3063686&sec=health

There is mention of the -

1) Yee Sang

2) Mee Suah (Rice Noodles)

3) Nien Gao

4) Love Letters

5) Spring Roll

6) Seafood - Fish, Prawns, Oysters

7) Meat

8) Mandarin Oranges

Bon Appétit, everyone :)