8 lucky Lunar New Year foods to attract an abundance of wealth and health in 2026
From dumplings shaped like gold ingots to longevity noodles, these traditional Lunar New Year dishes are eaten to invite good fortune
Searching for luck in the new year? We know exactly how to get it, and it is through your stomach.
For generations, Chinese families have believed that the most direct and foolproof way to ensure fortune and prosperity is to eat it.
Each dish served during the Lunar New Year is the result of a conscious decision, as every ingredient is a recipe for prosperity, woven with homophones, shapes and colours that symbolise blessings and wishes for the year ahead.
The following list is common foods you might see during the festive season, why they are so popular and what they could bring to your life.
1. Dumplings
06:54
How people in northern and southern China enjoy dumplings for Lunar New Year
Dumplings are a powerful symbol of wealth and prosperity. During Lunar New Year, families gather to meticulously fold these pockets of dough into the half-moon shape that resembles ancient Chinese gold ingots.