I was pretty excited to write this post because we love Asian food in our house. Even my 4 and 2 year old are excited about spicy Thai curry or egg rolls from our favorite Chinese restaurant. But besides all the tasty food, I am fascinated by experiencing other cultures and discovering the many things we have in common despite our obvious differences. For example, in China and many countries with Chinese influence (Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Chinatowns across America, just to name a few), the new year is celebrated according to the lunisolar calendar (based on the phases of the moon and sun), not on January 1st. The celebration lasts for 15 days and is the longest and most important holiday in the culture. There are many unique traditions such as decorating with red and gold (symbols of luck and prosperity), giving money, and naming each new year after an animal (2014 is the year of the horse.) But like us, each culture that celebrates looks on the new year with anticipation. They focus on putting of the old and enjoying the new. As in America, the new year is seen as a time to clean the house, reorganize, and start fresh. There are parades and celebrating in the streets throughout the 15 days of celebration (which reminds me of the ball dropping in Time’s Square or the Mummer’s Parade in Philadelphia). But most importantly, in both cultures, the welcoming of the new year is celebrated with family and friends. It is a time to be with the people you love and embrace unity and prosperity in the coming year. When you think about it, we aren’t much different after all. All that to say, let’s celebrate the new year again! Here are some of our favorite Asian and Asian inspired dishes that hold symbolic meaning for the new year. Get your kids, family, and friends involved and have fun with it. And don’t forget to decorate with some red! Ready to create your own menu with these recipes? Find out more here! Noodles– symbolize long life, especially if they are left long and uncut
Vegan Singapore Street Noodles
- Easy Chicken Lo Mein
- Vegan Singapore Street Noodles
- Asian Chicken and Noodle Bowl (snow peas symbolize unity)
- Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)
Dumplings and Egg Rolls – the traditional shape and golden color of these foods was similar to that of ancient Chinese coinage, and therefore symbolized wealth
- Baked Chicken and Vegetable Spring Rolls
- Sesame Lime Chicken Egg Rolls
- Chinese Pork Potstickers (additionally pork symbolizes strength and blessing)
Lettuce or Cabbage – both greens typify prosperity and luck
- Spicy Beef Lettuce Wraps or Paleo Beef Lettuce Wraps – food wrapped in lettuce symbolizes
Spicy Beef Lettuce Wraps
prosperity in the form of the birth of children (also peanuts health and long life, and cashews symbolize wealth, again because of their shape being similar to that of ancient money)
- Paleo Garlic Ginger Chicken with Bok Choi
- Steak and Winter Stir Fry – mushrooms symbolize longevity, and carrots because of their gold color symbolize luck
Other Foods to Enjoy
- Asian Meatballs – No symbol, just a fun party food.
- Tangerine Dream Smoothie – Obviously not a traditional Chinese food, but tangerine and other citrus fruits are said to be lucky to eat and display. Their golden color evokes a sense of wealth. But also the Chinese words for “orange” and “tangerine” sound like the Chinese words for “gold” and “luck” respectively.
- Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry – pork symbolizes strength; serve it over rice, which the Chinese see as a link between the gods and men as well as a symbol of fertility, wealth, and luck.
- Authentic Thai Curry – This is a family favorite, and it will probably be on our menu for our celebration of the new year.
A parting note: if you love traveling, foods, and trying international foods, and experiencing new cultures, then you are going to love our new Mini Menu series that starts next month. Here is a hint…if you celebrate Chinese New Year with us by cooking some of the recipes on this list, then you just got the first stamp on your passport! Still not a member? Join today!