Traditional Eats | Auspicious Food

Contributed by SuperNature

Celebrations may be a little different this Lunar New Year, but traditions are here to stay. As we welcome the Year of the Ox, here’s a look at the significance behind each ubiquitous festive delight of the season:

1.     Lo Hei

Known as ‘Prosperity Toss' in Cantonese, Lo Hei or Yu Sheng is a quintessential ritual for many during the Lunar New Year. Comprising a rainbow of shredded vegetables topped with raw fish and crackers, each ingredient symbolises an auspicious wish.

As ingredients are added to the dish, propitious phrases are recited to convey blessings of abundance, prosperity, health and fortune. Those gathered around then toss the Yu Sheng with chopsticks. It’s believed that the higher the toss, the better the year ahead.

 2.    Reunion Hotpot

While hotpots are available all year round, Lunar New Year’s the time when it truly shines as the dish du jour. Because of its round shape, it symbolises family reunion and togetherness – which is why it features prominently on reunion dinner tables during this season.

The ingredients added to this simmering pot are also brimming with great significance. For example, lettuce – or ‘sang choi’ in Cantonese - is associated with growing luck, while vermicelli is a symbol of longevity

 3.    Bak Kwa

Thanks to its auspicious deep red hue, Bak Kwa is a gifting favourite during the Lunar New Year. It symbolises good luck and is believed to ward off negative energies.

Need bak kwa but don’t have the time to queue? You can pre-order SuperNature’s Free-Range Bak Kwa by Kim Joo Guan at SuperNature.

 4.    Mandarins

The act of exchanging mandarins is derived from the Cantonese culture as the pronunciation of giving oranges – ‘song gam’ - is similar to ‘giving gold’. Usually offered in pairs or in even numbers – apart from four as it means ‘death’ in Chinese – it represents luck. Avoid giving mandarins in odd numbers, as they’re deemed lonely and unlucky.

On top of blessings of good fortune, give the gift of good health with our pesticide-free Taiwanese mandarins. Deliciously sweet and juicy, these seasonal citrus come in a set of eight. Get yours today from SuperNature.

 5.    Cookies

Pineapple tarts and love letters are firm favourites when it comes to traditional Lunar New Year delights.

Known as ‘ong lai’ in Hokkien, pineapple literally translates to ‘coming of fortune’. Thought to bring prosperity and luck to anyone who eats them, pineapple tarts are also well loved for their buttery soft pastry and caramelised pineapple jam.

Love letters, on the other hand, have a poetic nuance to them. In the past, this romantic delight was used to relay messages to loved ones, and consuming this light and crisp pastry meant that the message was taken to heart.

Besides pineapple tarts and love letters, do try out our range of vegan-friendly cookies that also includes eggless almond and cashew nut cookies.

 6.    Abalone

The homonym for abalone in Chinese, ‘bao yu’, sounds similar to a word that means ‘to carry surplus’. This delicacy is an especially popular gifting choice during this festive period thanks to its association with wealth and abundance.

If you’re in the market for wild-caught abalone from Australia to savour with loved ones or gift to friends, you can get yours at SuperNature.