Get lucky with our pick of auspicious Lunar New Year foods

During Lunar New Year, a great deal of thought goes into the foods served at get-togethers – all with an emphasis on good fortune and a heavy dose of wordplay and symbolism. Overwhelmed by all the traditional Chinese New Year culinary offerings available? Read on for our guide to selecting the finest delicacies in Hong Kong – perfect for gifting to friends during bai nian rituals or indulging in with family at the dining table.

Take advantage of our Lunar New Year promotion when you purchase festive delights at Cathay Shop . From now until January 24, save up to 30% off miles and cash when stocking up on Chinese New Year puddings, gift boxes and more.  

Have your cake 

Made primarily of glutinous rice flour, nian gao is usually served alongside similar dim sum dishes like water chestnut cake or taro cake during Lunar New Year. This sticky rice cake’s Chinese name is a homonym for “growing every year,” thought to bring prosperity and status to those who eat it. 

For a twist on the classic favourite, you can’t go wrong with Jade Garden’s Chinese New Year pudding , which is infused with aromatic ginger. Featuring popular Sanrio characters on its packaging, Maxim’s turnip cake with conpoy and ham is sure to be a hit with the kids, while Imperial Patisserie’s fragrant brown sugar pudding will satisfy with its chewiness and fragrance. In keeping with the spirit of togetherness, don’t forget a vegetarian radish cake. Dashijie’s creation is made with French porcini, Chinese mushrooms and red dates, perfect for family and friends with dietary requirements.  

Live long and prosper

Who’d have guessed that a pantry staple like noodles would be a must-have for Lunar New Year? Made using the finest Japanese dried scallops and dried shrimp roe from the district of Doumen in Zhuhai, these noodles from Dashijie are packed with flavour. Complete with eight packets of thick and thin noodles and a ham XO sauce, this gift box is the perfect option for sharing with even the most discerning of palates. Cook them up alongside juicy pork sausages from Maxim’s for a hearty satisfying meal. 

Gather around the table 

The star of the show during Lunar New Year dinners is poon choi, a communal dish comprised of many layers of ingredients served in a large basin. Traditionally cooked and eaten together, it’s a symbol of unity.

If you don’t have time to prepare your own, Bino N' Booze has you covered with a scrumptious take on this festive dish. It features whole abalone, fish maw, golden oysters, pan-fried prawns, shiitake mushrooms, braised pork belly and more, but what sets this specific apart is its special “black truffle fortune bag”: deep-fried tofu pouches filled with rich black truffle and squid paste.

The gift that keeps on giving 

Even without that extra layer of symbolism, a straightforward Chinese New Year hamper packed full of delicious bites would be enough to make your loved ones feel extremely lucky. Keep their bellies and hearts full with our very own Lunar New Year gift box , which includes an assortment of palmiers and premium teas from our partner JING Tea. On its festive red-and-gold cover, you’ll find a pair of lucky koi fish designed with tails that cleverly incorporate our brushwing logo. Plus, tear along the perforated edge of the packaging sleeve to unveil a special fai chun, or festive calligraphy, to bring good luck and prosperity to your home.  

If you’ve got relatives visiting from out of town, opt for a gustatory slice of Hong Kong with Imperial Patisserie’s Sesame Palmiers Delight gift set . The delicate and buttery treats are offered in white and black sesame flavours. Kee Wah Bakery’s classic crunchy butter eggrolls are a great choice , too.  

And if you’re visiting animal-loving friends and families, this adorable Meow Cookies gift box from Arome will be sure to win them over. Its purple box showcases a cat playing with yarn, and on the inside, you’ll discover butter cookies that come in crowd-pleasing flavours like cheese, cookies and cream, and coffee.