While I was out exploring the city, earlier this afternoon, I encountered several highly intriguing traditional Chinese dishes, two of which I elected to share on this blog.
“Luóhàn quánzhāi” (Buddha’s Delight)
A traditional Buddhist vegetarian dish called “Luóhàn quánzhāi” or Buddha’s Delight, is consumed on the first day of Chinese New Year using eighteen different ingredients as the Chinese believe eighteen to be a lucky number signifying wealth and prosperity.
Abstaining from eating meat during the first day of the Lunar New Year is believed to enhance longevity. Vegetarian dishes help to purify and cleanse the body along with honouring a Buddhist tradition which states nothing living should be killed on the first day of the year.
Fish shaped Nian Gao
Nian gao is an enduring Chinese New Year tradition. Because of its stickiness, it is viewed as a symbol of cohesiveness. There are various ways to consume the nian gao, including in the shape of a gold ingot or a fish. The word “Fish” in Mandarin sounds like the word for “excess” and is especially popular during Chinese New Year as it symbolises great wealth.
Chinese New Year Food Customs 