The Lunar Chinese New Year celebration remain one of Penang’s most celebrated festival seasons that lasts exactly fifteen days. If you are in Penang for the celebration, be sure to leave only after trying some of its sweets and delicacies carefully and specifically prepared only once a year.
Yusheng (‘Lo Hei’)
Available at most Chinese restaurants island wide is this all-important dish that superstitiously brings wealth depending on how high you toss the dish prior to eating. Its main ingredient is its raw fish mixed with fried crackers, shredded radish, carrots, peanuts and a concoction of sauces. The main activity surrounding this dish is indeed a social dish where people gather around the table with chopsticks. The trick is to toss as high as you can for more blessing and prosperity in life.
Bak Kua
Mostly available in beautifully packaged paper boxes are these exquisite ‘bak kua’ or more known as minced meat marinated with fish and soy sauces, sugar, wine and spices. Available most year round, the barbecue pork comes in all sorts of flavours and seasonings, and are used during the festival season as gifts while one pays a visit to friends or family.
Nian Gao
Known for its stickiness and chewy texture, this sticky cake made from glutinous rice may taste sweet or savoury and may be eaten as a snack or dessert. The name also directly means year and growth, and symbolises prosperity as each New Year approaches.
Pineapple Cakes and Cookies
What may sound like a tropical fruit like the pineapple has been used in many traditional Chinese sweets and savoury cooking. This gourmet pastry, infused with caramelised sugar, is usually wrapped in buttery baked pastry and comes in various shapes and sizes.
Mandarin Oranges
One of the most common gifts from visitors during the celebration. Directly translated as ‘gold’ and ‘luck’ in Mandarin, it symbolises goodwill and the offer of friendship to people they visit.
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