Fish（鱼 yú）
Fish (鱼 yú) sounds the same as the word for “surplus.” （余）Symbolizes abundance and surplus for the year ahead.
Culture & Food
Chinese New Year foods and meanings
Discover the traditional foods enjoyed during Chinese New Year and the cultural meanings behind each dish. These symbolic dishes express wishes for good luck, prosperity, and family unity in the year ahead.
Food is one of the clearest ways to understand Chinese culture. This section explains why certain dishes show up on New Year tables, what their names symbolize, and how different regions put their own spin on the holiday menu. If you are new to these traditions, start with the core dishes and then explore the regional variations.
Fish（鱼 yú）
Dumplings（饺子 jiǎo zi）
Dumplings are shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, bring wealth and good fortune in the coming year.
Rice Cake（年糕niángāo）
糕 sounds the same as the word high(高 gāo）symbolizes progress and success year after year.
Noodles（面条 miàntiáo）
Longer noodles represent a longer life. keeping them long is believed to bring good health and longevity.
Stories from China
Explain China, One Story at a Time
New Year's Eve dinner: The reunion dinner that brings China home
On Chinese New Year's Eve, families gather for Nian Ye Fan, a meal built on shared seats, symbolic dishes, and the simple wish to start the year together.
Feb 7, 2026