Chinese New Year: Six ‘lucky’ foods to eat including a traditional sweet cake

Chinese New Year: Six ‘lucky’ foods to eat including noodles and lobster (Image: Nic Crilly-Hargrave)

Food traditions are significant in Chinese New Year celebrations, with friends and families feasting on select ingredients and dishes.

Many foods have symbolic meanings, such as good fortune, wealth, and longevity, while eating together strengthens bonds and shows appreciation for loved ones.

Chinatown in London is one pocket of the UK that will go all out to mark the 2026 Year of the Snake on Wednesday, January 29.

Restaurateurs working and living in the iconic city district have unveiled the delicious foods eaten at Chinese New Year, including fish, spring rolls and dumplings.

Among them is chicken; chicken is a homonym – in Chinese, the pronunciation of ‘Chicken’ 鸡/jī/ is similar to ‘Luck’吉 /jí/. As such, chicken dishes are very popular and are usually served on the eve of Chinese New Year for dinner, one of the most important meals over the fortnight’s celebrations.

Food at Dumpling's Legend is traditional to its core with dumplings traditionally eaten in Northern China on CNY (Image: Stacie Ma/ Dumplings Legend)

Chinese New Year foods

Chicken feet

According to Chinatown experts, Chicken feet are said to help you grasp wealth, while the wings help you fly higher, and the bones represent achievement. Those heading to London this week will find an array of delicious chicken dishes, including Hainanese chicken at C&R Cafe and The Eight, New China’s Lemon Chicken and Cantonese chicken buns at Bun House.

Whole fish

An indispensable guest at the Chinese New Year dinner table, the fish, represents "a whole and healthy family", said the restaurateurs. Traditionally, the table's centrepiece is eaten across Chinatown London during the festivities, and fish also symbolises increased prosperity.

The fish should be placed with the head facing the distinguished guests when served. As for where to indulge in this seafood tradition, both Golden Phoenix and Jin Li serve a delectable whole steamed seabass with ginger and spring onions in London's Chinatown.

An indispensable guest at the CNY dinner table, the fish, represents a whole and healthy family (Image: Stacie Ma/ China Modern)

Nian Gao

As with most Chinese dishes, the north and south have different variations of the iconic Nian Gao (also known as Chinese New Year cake) - though it’s always a sticky-sweet cake prepared from glutinous rice. Chinese families will buy or make this treat for their new year celebrations in the hopes of having a better year ahead.

It’s also a popular gift when visiting family and friends during the festivities. Tuck into this sweet treat at the Chinatown Bakery, Sakurado and Four Seasons.

Jiaozi dumplings

Dumplings are traditionally eaten on the eve of the Lunar New Year in Northern China. However, most people enjoy this comforting dish throughout the celebratory period. Legend has it that the more dumplings you eat during this time, the more money you will make that year.

Jiaozi dumplings are considered lucky due to their boat-like shape, resembling Chinese ingots. Chow down some delicious dumplings at Dumplings' Legend, Tao Tao Ju or Orient London.

Lobster

In Chinese culture, lobsters are thought to resemble dragons, which are a significant symbol during the festivities. When cooked, they turn red, which is known as the colour of luck. Head to Plum Valley for their delicious braised lobster with ginger and spring onions, savour fresh steamed lobster at Lotus Garden, or opt for China Modern’s whole lobster coated in salted egg yolk.

Chinatown has become the epicentre of Chinese New Year celebrations in the UK (Image: Yuta Fukuda)

Noodles

Noodles are a staple of all Chinese diets, but at Lunar New Year, they get even longer. Longevity noodles are considered the key to a long and healthy life. Kung Fu Noodle is the first live hand-pulled noodle concept within Chinatown London.

With a menu of moreish noodle soups and dishes from Gansu province in Northwest China. Leong’s Legend offers a moreish Beef Noodle Soup, a popular delicacy on the streets of Taipei. Head to Oseyo to stock up on various noodles to take home and enjoy.

Tangyuan

Tangyuan, also known as ‘soup ball’, is associated with reunion and family togetherness. This is a celebratory dish, particularly popular in Southern China. It is made from glutinous rice flour and served in boiling water or sweet syrup, with many sweet and savoury fillings. Try for yourself at sweet spot Candy Cafe.

Yu Sheng

Welcome the Year of the Snake with this prosperous salad that symbolises longevity, peace, and opulence. The ritual of eating Yu Sheng is very important in itself. In a celebration called Lo Hei (translating literally to toss high), people gather around the table together and toss the ingredients into the air with chopsticks while shouting out auspicious wishes to usher in prosperity for the New Year. Set yourself down at Rasa Sayang to experience this fresh, vibrant dish.