Lunar New Year Eats: 12 must-eat dishes that’ll have you manifesting good fortune this 2025

Lunar New Year Eats That’ll Have You Manifesting Luck, Love, and Wealth

Food is something that brings everyone together and one of the things we all prepare for are Lunar New Year Eats It’s not just about filling your plate—it’s about filling your life with happiness, luck, and maybe even a little extra $$$. So, grab your chopsticks, Earthlings, and let’s dive into 12 must-eat dishes that’ll have you manifesting good fortune like a pro.

Lunar New Year Eats list:

Fish – Big Wins Ahead

Fish is like the Beyoncé of Lunar New Year dishes—mandatory. Why? Because the word for fish sounds like “surplus” in Chinese. So, eating it means you’re wishing for leftovers (aka abundance) in life, money, and happiness.
Pro tip: Always leave a little fish uneaten. It’s symbolic and totally chef’s kiss.

Dumplings – Tiny Pockets of Riches

Dumplings are shaped like ancient gold ingots, which basically makes them edible piggy banks. If you’re looking for some serious money vibes this year, dumplings are a must.
Bonus tradition: Slip a coin into one of the dumplings. Whoever finds it? Jackpot.

Spring Rolls – Golden Bars You Can Eat

Spring rolls aren’t just crunchy and delicious—they’re good luck wrapped in a golden shell. They legit look like gold bars, so obviously, eating them is like calling in all the wealth energy for the year.

Glutinous Rice Cake (Nian Gao) – Glow-Up Goals

The name of this sticky-sweet treat sounds like “higher year,” which is basically your annual glow-up mantra. Eat this if you’re all about leveling up—career, love life, personal goals, you name it.

Sweet Rice Balls – Family Time, Locked and Loaded

Tangyuan, or sweet rice balls, are all about family feels. Their round shape symbolizes unity and togetherness, which makes them perfect for cozy fam reunions.
What to say while slurping these gems: “团团圆圆” (Tuántuán yuányuán)—aka, “Cheers to happy fam vibes!”

Longevity Noodles – Live Long and Slurp On

Long noodles = long life. But there’s a catch: you’ve gotta slurp them whole. Breaking these bad boys is like cutting your luck short, so don’t even think about it. Whether they’re stir-fried or soupy, these noodles are pure life goals.

Lion’s Head Meatballs – Bold, Juicy, and Unity-Fueled

These giant pork meatballs aren’t just a dish—they’re a power move. Named after lions (symbols of strength) and shaped for family unity, they’re a New Year’s table showstopper. Bonus points if you’re serving Shanghai-style vibes.

Steamed Pork Belly with Taro – The Fancy Dish

This layered masterpiece is like the rich aunt of Lunar New Year foods. Juicy pork belly + creamy taro slices = wealth and good fortune in every bite. If you’re dining down south, this dish is non-negotiable.

Shrimp – Laugh Your Way to Happiness

Shrimp brings the joy because “ha” (the sound for shrimp in Cantonese) literally sounds like laughter. It’s like eating good vibes on a plate. Whether grilled, steamed, or stir-fried, shrimp = instant mood boost.

Veggies – Your Green Ticket to Luck

Don’t skip your greens this New Year! Every veggie on the plate is a good luck charm:

  • Lettuce: Symbolizes wealth.
  • Baby Bok Choy: Screams luck.
  • Chinese Broccoli: Harmony and progress.
    So yeah, eat your greens—they’re basically edible good vibes.

Fruit – Golden Orbs of Success

Round, golden fruits like oranges, tangerines, and pomelos are Lunar New Year royalty. Oranges = success. Pomelos = abundance. Plus, they look super cute piled on the table for your IG flat-lay.

And there you have it—12 iconic  Lunar New Year Eats you can be feasting on  . From fish to fruit, these dishes aren’t just tasty—they’re like manifesting tools you can munch on. Now, BRB, I need to find a dumpling with a coin in it.

What do you think? Ready to dig in?

 

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