Chinese New Year 2025 Holiday

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration in Chinese culture, heralding the arrival of the lunar new year. The year 2025 will mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac, and food plays a central role in this festive occasion. Each dish enjoyed during this time carries rich symbolism meant to bring good luck, prosperity, happiness, and health in the year ahead.

Chinese New Year, which falls on February 17th in 2025, is a time for families to come together, honor ancestors, and share delicious meals. The foods served during this festival are much more than sustenance; they represent wishes for a better future, encapsulating centuries of tradition. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the significant foods that are commonly enjoyed during Chinese New Year celebrations in 2025.

Dumplings (Jiaozi) – Wealth and Prosperity

One of the most iconic Chinese New Year foods is the dumpling, known as jiaozi in Mandarin. These crescent-shaped dumplings are symbolic of wealth and prosperity because their shape resembles ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, used as a form of currency. Many families make dumplings together, and the process of folding them is a fun and bonding activity.

In some regions, it’s traditional to hide a coin inside one of the dumplings. The person who finds it is believed to be blessed with good fortune and wealth in the coming year. This custom represents the hope that the year will bring financial success and abundance.

The filling inside the dumplings varies, but it typically includes ground meat (such as pork, beef, or chicken), vegetables (like cabbage, mushrooms, or carrots), and seasonings. For a healthier twist, vegetarian dumplings are also common.

Noodles – Longevity

Another essential dish is nian gao or “year cake,” a glutinous rice cake that is often served during Chinese New Year to symbolize longevity and the promise of a long and prosperous life. These rice cakes are sticky, made from glutinous rice flour, and often cooked with sweet or savory fillings.

However, the noodle dishes served during the celebrations are perhaps the most important when it comes to longevity. Long noodles, called changshou mian in Mandarin, are consumed to signify a wish for a long life. The noodles are typically uncut, and it is considered bad luck to break or shorten them. Many families serve stir-fried noodles with vegetables, seafood, or meat, with the long strands representing the passage of time and the hope that the eater will enjoy many happy, healthy years ahead.

Fish – Abundance and Surplus

The fish (yu) is another staple in the Chinese New Year feast, symbolizing abundance, surplus, and good fortune. The pronunciation of the word yu sounds like the word for “surplus” or “extra,” making it an auspicious dish to have at the table. It is customary to serve the fish whole, with the head and tail intact, as this represents the hope for a complete and prosperous year, from start to finish.

In many households, the fish is steamed with ginger, scallions, and soy sauce, which enhances its delicate flavors. In some regions, fish dishes are made with carp, while in others, other varieties such as tilapia or bass are preferred. The dish is often eaten with family members, and some of the fish is traditionally saved until the next day to symbolize the continuation of fortune into the year ahead.

Sweet Treats – Happiness and Sweetness

Chinese New Year is a time for joy and happiness, and what better way to celebrate than with a variety of traditional sweet treats? One of the most popular desserts is tangyuan, or sweet rice balls, which are typically filled with sesame paste, peanut butter, or red bean paste. The round shape of these rice balls represents completeness and unity, and they are enjoyed for their sweet taste and symbolic meaning of family harmony.

Another sweet treat often found on Chinese New Year tables is nian gao, a sweetened rice cake made from glutinous rice flour. It is usually steamed with a combination of brown sugar and water to create a dense, chewy texture. Nian gao represents progress, as its pronunciation sounds like “year-high,” symbolizing the desire for personal growth, achievement, and good fortune in the new year.

Mandarin Oranges – Good Luck and Fortune

Mandarin oranges are often placed around the home during Chinese New Year, as they are associated with wealth and good luck. The word for “orange” in Chinese, cheng, sounds similar to the word for “success” and “wealth,” so these fruits are given as gifts and offered at the dinner table to bring prosperity in the year ahead.

Mandarins and other citrus fruits are also given to friends, family, and business associates as a gesture of goodwill and blessings. Their bright color symbolizes happiness, while their sweet, tangy flavor is a reminder of the sweetness life can bring when shared with loved ones.

Spring Rolls – New Beginnings

Spring rolls (chun juan) are another dish that symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Their cylindrical shape resembles gold bars, a symbol of wealth in Chinese culture. Typically filled with a variety of ingredients, such as shredded pork, shrimp, cabbage, and mushrooms, spring rolls are deep-fried to golden perfection.

In addition to their association with wealth, spring rolls also represent new beginnings. As the new year marks a fresh start, these crispy delights are an ideal food to enjoy on the first day of Chinese New Year, symbolizing the excitement of a new chapter in life.

Chinese New Year food in 2025 will carry the same significance and symbolism as it has for centuries. Each dish serves as a heartfelt wish for happiness, health, prosperity, and harmony in the year ahead. Whether you’re enjoying jiaozi, nian gao, or a plate of long noodles, the foods of Chinese New Year connect generations and remind us of the importance of tradition.

As families gather around tables to celebrate the Year of the Snake, the food will be more than just a meal—it will be a feast of hope and blessings for a year filled with good fortune and joy. So, whether you’re in China, or anywhere around the world, make sure to enjoy these traditional dishes and celebrate the rich culture and symbolism that comes with each bite.