Every year, we celebrate the Chinese New Year. This celebration, which has characteristics of the red color symbolizes enthusiasm & spirit, will usually be enlivened by a large banquet and also fireworks.
Well, it turns out that every dish served to celebrate Chinese New Year night has its own meaning. Do you want to know the Chinese New Year specialty dishes in Indonesia and their meanings? Let’s read on!
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17 Chinese New Year Specialty Foods in Indonesia, Full of Meaning!
Here are 17 kinds of Chinese New Year specialty dishes that are usually served at every dinner table. Apart from the tantalizing look, there are meanings and also hopefulness in each of these culinary delights. Read until the end, let your curiosity be answered.
1. Siu Noodle
Siu noodle, or often called siu mie in Indonesia, is a dish that cannot be separated from the history of the Chinese community in Indonesia especially during Chinese New Year. These long noodles are symbolized as a wish for a long life in the future.
One unique thing is, when you eat this noodle, you shouldn’t break them before all the noodles are in your mouth so that your sustenance is always smooth throughout the year.
2. Tea Egg
As the name says, the egg is boiled in tea. The dish is interpreted as a symbol of fertility. So, it’s no wonder you can easily find it when eating with your family. The reason is, this dish is believed to provide prosperity for those of you who eat it in the new year.
3. Pork Roast
It’s incomplete to celebrate Chinese New Year without serving this special Chinese New Year food in Indonesia, pork roast. Usually a variety of pork processed foods are eaten with the whole family.
Pigs are likened to bringing good luck because they are like pockets that can hold good fortune. In addition, because of their lazy nature, eating pork also has the hope of getting rid of laziness for the year ahead.
4. Fish
Next to the menu with fish as main ingredient. In Chinese custom, the word “fish” itself has the same sound as “yu” which means sustenance. This is why this food must also be served when celebrating Chinese New Year.
Even though it is known to have a lot of thorns, this processed milkfish or other fish is served whole to be eaten together. The thorns themselves are interpreted as obstacles in life that must be handled patiently and also never give up.
5. Whole Chicken and Duck
Duck or chicken dishes are also served during Chinese New Year celebrations. These ducks and chickens have the meaning of loyalty and obedience. Usually, this menu is prepared and served whole and without cutting them.
The hope is that the big family that is eating this meal will become a complete family, loyal to one another, and always happy.
6. Yusheng
Yu Sheng, a beautiful and colorful salad, is also a Chinese New Year specialty. Usually, this food will be served on a large plate arranged in such a way as a symbol of prosperity.
7. Eight Treasure Soup
The number 8 is indeed a lucky number for Chinese people. No wonder, during Chinese New Year celebrations, some of the food served has elements of this number. The pronunciation of the number 8 which is commonly called “ba” does sound similar to the sound of “fa” which means prosperity.
8. Dumplings or Jiaozi
Who likes dumplings? So, at Chinese New Year celebrations, this delicious food is also often served. Dumplings or often called Jiaozi are a symbol of family reunion and prosperity.
9. Spring Rolls
Not to forget, there are also spring rolls or lumpia which also have an important meaning on Chinese New Year. The shape and color of this golden yellow is often likened to gold which means wealth.
10. Lapis Legit
The first Chinese New Year cake in Indonesia is the lapis legit cake. This snack, which has a dense, soft texture, and also a layered shape, does have a layered meaning of hope for fortune in the new year.
11. Ang Ku Kueh
Ang ku kueh, one of the snacks that is also present to enliven the dinner table on Chinese New Year’s Eve. This cake, which is often called “kue thok” in Java, has an important meaning for the Chinese community.
The cake, which is usually printed in the shape of a tortoise shell, means longevity for whoever eats it in the new year.
12. Eight Treasure Rice Pudding
Eight treasure rice pudding, one of the typical Indonesian Chinese New Year desserts, t-mates. This rice pudding looks beautiful with 8 different fruit garnishes on it. In addition to beautifying the appearance, these 8 types of fruit also have the meaning of wealth and prosperity.
13. Nian Gao or Chinese New Year’s Cake
Nian gao is a mandatory snack when celebrating Chinese New Year. The shape is round and has a dark brown color typical of dodol cakes. It is usually printed using a basket-shaped container.
The round shape means family harmony for a full year. At Chinese New Year celebrations, these cakes are stacked in order to gain prosperity in the next year.
14. Kue Mangkok
Kue mangkok means “bowl/cup cake”. You can also find them on the dining table during Chinese New Year celebrations. This cake made from rice flour is usually served in a bright red color during Chinese New Year.
The shape that blooms like a bowl also has its own meaning, you know. The more blooming petals you eat, the luckier you will be in this new year.
15. Tangyuan
A serving of warm Tangyuan is also a special menu for Chinese New Year. These glutinous rice balls eaten with ginger sauce have their own philosophy, which is to become an adhesive for more harmonious family relationships.
16. Mandarin Orange
It’s time for fruit to come to the table. Yep, mandarin oranges, this fruit has a name in Mandarin, namely “chi zhe”, which means fruit that brings good luck.
The orange color of this fruit is also symbolized as gold which means fortune and money. During Chinese New Year, families will give this fruit to children in the hope that their fortune will continue to increase.
17. Mochi
Who doesn’t like mochi? This chewy cake made from glutinous rice is indeed delicious to eat with the family. Moreover, the filling can be of various kinds, such as mashed peanuts, or even ice cream, you know.
Apparently, on Chinese New Year, mochi has an important meaning. This soft and chewy cake turns out to have the meaning of friends and family who always gather at the new year.
Happy Chinese New Year, t-mates!
So, those were the menus that you will find on every dining table when celebrating the Chinese New Year. Of course, besides having a taste that satisfies your tongue, hopefully you will also be surrounded with good wishes for the next year.
To make Chinese New Year celebrations even more lively, there are lots of online shows that you can watch at home with your extended family at home. Just check and order exciting shows at To Do Online on tiket.com.
Happy Chinese New Year this year, t-mates! Don’t forget to always be happy!
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