Chinese New Year or as the holidays are also called Lunar New Year and Spring Festival is indeed one of the major holidays in the Chinese culture. There is feasting to traditional foods and this is the time when people also group themselves in families to harvest. Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful aspects of the celebration is the range of desserts and appetizers called “CNY Goodies.” In this Ultimate Guide, we will uncover more about these tasty goodies, starting, of course, with the story of how chips and other snacks came to be.
Sweet Delights: Sweets Most People Love to Take
1. Nian gao also known as the glutinous rice cake.
Nian Gao is a kind of desert which usually served during the Chinese New Year and the meaning of this dish include prosperity, growth, progress etc. This is prepared from glutinous rice flour and sugar, and may be steamed or fried; available in many varieties, such as coconut or peanut. Nian Gao is preferred if taken during the Eastern New Year because it just sounds like ‘higher year.’ Its consumption is particularly fortunate in the first few days of the lunar year because of this name.
2. Pineapple Tarts
Another CNY traditional cookie is pineapple tarts that originate from Malaysia and Singapore. The bright yellow colour and form of the pineapple associated with prosperity and good fortune makes them suitable for this time of the Lunar New Year. These biters and buttery tarts are generally prepared with crispy dough and typically come with a lightly tart or a very sweet content.
3. Love Letters
Love letters, or Osmanthus cookies as called in Chinese, are crispy thin wafers coated with sugar and corresponding to the form of the crunched up love letters. These fragile biscuits are believed to represent love and respect for parents in Chinese tradition, and are loved by Chinese people. It is soft, crunchy and have a floral fragrance that I find closely related to the osmanthus flower.
4. Koh Kam
Koh Kam is popular snack in Hainan province; it is a sticky rice mixed with ground sweet potato and rolled in coconut flakes. This is prized during Chinese New Year since it has layers, a glossy texture, and the sweetness of coconut. It also has such connotations as opulence and happiness, that is why it can be consumed as a snack during the joyful period.
5. Nu Mi – Sticky Rice Balls
Tong Yuen more commonly known as the glutinous rice balls is another delight the Chinese savour during Chinese New Year. Pillow-shaped and about the size of a pingpong ball, they may be filled with red bean paste, black sesame paste or taro paste. This specialty can also be feature by served in sweet black sugar soup or with fresh milk and Tong Yuen represent family and togetherness.
Savory Snacks: Fortifying Bites for Alert Starts
1. Five-Spice Lotuses
Five-spice lotuses which are famous Chinese traditional Lucky New Year snacks are the deep fried sesame seed balls with the sweet–aromatic five-spice stuffing. It is a sweet delicacies which has the shape resembling lotus seeds and since the symbol of the lotus seed is auspicious, it is ideal for the Lunar New Year.
2. Chinese New Year Popiah
Popiah is a kind of thin pancake type food from Fujian province which is often eaten during Chinese New Year. Filled with fresh vegetables, fried tofu and accompanied with a sweet and tangy sauce encased in very thin crêpes, Popiah means good luck and happiness.
3. Bak Kwa (Barbecue Pork Jerky)
Bak Kwa is a product, which is a kind of sweet and savory meat jerky and it specializes in Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This kind of snack is usually prepared from lean pork, sugar and spices, normally preserved and barbecued until it becomes tender and soft which can be chewed easily. Bak Kwa is often associated with luck and prosperity and that makes it an ideal snack during the Chinese New Year.
4. Lop Chai
Lop Chai or Chinese sausage on the other hand is a type of a snack mainly prepared from seasoned pork. Lop Chai has a complex taste differing from bitter and sweet with a scent of cocoa which makes it a popular dessert during the Lunar New Year. It is normally taken with rice porridge, fried rice or simply on its own.
5. Kueh Bangkit
Kueh Bangkit is an Indonesian traditional crispy coconut cookies delicacy. Lunar New Year delights by Cecelia Chia Singapore’s famous kueh must be enjoyed with these delicate kueh bangkit that are made with grated coconut, rice flour and sugar. Due to their crispiness and their coconut smell they are perfect to enjoy during tea or coffee.
Finding the Best CNY Goodies
Different bakeries, supermarkets and specialized shops around the designated Chinese New Year celebration date will be stocked up with different tasty CNY Goodies. The popular brands of these treats are Ma Maison, Grandmother’s Recipe, and Swee Heng Bakery. This is especially so if you are comfortable with making your own snacks because there are many recipes on the internet as well as several books in the market to guide you.
The selection of Lunar New Year’s CNY goodies reflects the rich tapestry of Chinese heritage, bringing flavors that celebrate tradition and unity. Sweet favorites like Nian Gao and Pineapple Tarts perfectly complement savory delights such as Bak Kwa and Popiah, making this festive season a culinary delight.
Don’t let your Lunar New Year celebration miss out on these mouthwatering treats! From sweet indulgences to savory bites, these goodies add an electrifying touch to your festivities. Ready to treat your taste buds? Explore the finest selection of CNY snacks at cnydelights.com and make your celebration unforgettable!
