9 Tasty Chinese New Year Traditional Food in Singapore

Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and tradition in Singapore, and food plays a central role in the festivities. From delicious dumplings and fluffy nian gao to crisp spring rolls and spicy hot pot, the traditional Chinese New Year foods of Singapore are a delicious and integral part of the holiday.

In this article, we will explore some of the most popular and beloved Chinese New Year dishes in Singapore, their history and significance, and how they are enjoyed during this special time of year.

Try These Chinese New Year Traditional Foods in Singapore!

In Singapore, Chinese New Year is a major holiday and is celebrated by many people of Chinese descent. Traditional foods play a big role in the celebrations. Traditional Chinese New Year dishes in Singapore are a reflection of the country’s diverse cultural heritage and are enjoyed by people of all ages.

From dumplings and noodles to fish and chicken, the dishes served during Chinese New Year are a symbol of luck, prosperity, and good fortune. Here are some of the most popular and delicious traditional Chinese New Year foods that are commonly found in Singapore:

1. Yusheng

   

   
   Yusheng, also known as lo hei, is a dish typically eaten during Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore. It is a raw fish salad that is typically made with thin slices of raw fish, mixed with a variety of ingredients such as shredded vegetables, herbs, and a variety of sauces and seasonings.

   To eat yusheng, the ingredients are mixed together and tossed in the air while making a wish or saying auspicious phrases. The dish is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year. Yusheng is typically served as a communal dish and is enjoyed with family and friends.

2. Lou Sang

   

   This is another raw fish dish, similar to yusheng, but it is typically served as a main course during Chinese New Year. It is made with a mixture of raw fish, vegetables, and sauces, and is often tossed high in the air as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

   Lou sang is made by mixing slices of raw fish with various vegetables and seasonings. The dish is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year, and is often served as a communal dish that is shared among friends and family.

   The ingredients and preparation of Lou Sang can vary depending on the region and personal preference, but common ingredients include slices of raw fish (such as salmon or halibut), vegetables (such as cucumber, carrots, and pickled vegetables), and seasonings (such as soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar). The dish is usually served with a type of sauce or dressing.

3. Nian Gao

   

   Nian gao, also known as Chinese New Year cake, is a type of glutinous rice cake that is made with glutinous rice flour and sugar, and is often flavored with ginger or other ingredients.

   Nian gao is often considered a symbol of good fortune and is believed to bring prosperity and luck for the coming year. It is typically eaten as a dessert or snack, and can be served either hot or cold. It is often sliced and pan-fried with eggs, or used as a filling for dumplings.

4. Fish
   

   

   Fish is a traditional and symbolic food often served during Chinese New Year celebrations. In Chinese culture, the word for “fish” (魚) sounds similar to the word for “surplus” or “abundance”. It is thought to bring prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.

   Fish is often served whole, as a sign of unity and completeness, and may be prepared in a variety of ways such as steamed, braised, or fried. It is also common to serve fish with the head and tail intact, as these are believed to bring luck and good fortune, as well as to symbolize a good start and a good finish to the year.

5. Dumplings

   

   Dumplings, or jiaozi, are a popular food during Chinese New Year and are often eaten on the first day of the holiday. They are made by wrapping small pieces of dough around a filling, which can be made of a variety of ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or seafood. The dumplings are then cooked by boiling, frying, or steaming.

   Eating dumplings during the Chinese New Year is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. It is believed that the shape of the dumplings, which are often formed into crescent shapes, resemble the ancient Chinese currency known as “ingots,” and therefore eating dumplings is thought to bring wealth and abundance in the coming year.

6. Roast Pork
   

   

   Roast pork is made by marinating pork in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and other seasonings, then roasting it in the oven or on a spit until it is tender and flavorful. The pork is usually served in thin slices and is often accompanied by vegetables or other dishes. Roast pork is a symbol of prosperity and is thought to bring good luck in the new year.

7. Chicken
   

   

   Chicken is a traditional dish that is served during Chinese New Year celebrations, since the word “chicken” in Chinese sounds similar to the word for “good fortune,” it is thought to bring luck and prosperity to those who eat it. There are many different ways to prepare chicken for Chinese New Year, including roasting it, stewing it, or cooking it in a stir-fry.

8. Sweet Rice Balls
   

   

   Sweet rice balls, also known as tang yuan, are made of glutinous rice flour that is mixed with water to form a dough, which is then shaped into small balls. The balls are typically filled with sweet fillings such as red bean paste or sesame paste, and then cooked in boiling water.

   They are a symbol of unity and togetherness, and are often served to families and friends during the Chinese New Year celebration as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

9. Noodles
   

   

   In Chinese culture, noodles symbolizes of long life and prosperity. They are typically made from wheat flour and are an important part of many Chinese dishes. They are often served in soups, stir-fries, and other dishes, and are often eaten as part of the traditional New Year’s Eve dinner.

   Some people believe that eating long, uncut noodles is particularly auspicious during the Chinese New Year, as it symbolizes long life.

Chinese New Year is a significant and widely celebrated holiday in Singapore, and food plays a central role in the celebrations. Traditional dishes such as Yusheng, fish, dumplings, and nian gao are enjoyed by many families and are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the new year.

These dishes are often served during family gatherings and feasts, and many people also visit temples and participate in lion dances and other cultural activities. The abundance of delicious and meaningful food is just one aspect of the rich cultural traditions that are celebrated during Chinese New Year in Singapore.

While enjoying succulent and delicious during the Chinese New Year dinner celebration, make sure that you also bring a premium CNY hamper or gift basket for the host to express your gratitude and as a way to wish them great luck and health.

You can easily order a well-curated CNY hamper and a gift basket from FlowerAdvisor Singapore. We provide a wide selection of exclusive CNY hampers, gift baskets, and even flower bouquets!