The Symbolism and Variety of Fish Served for Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year celebrations revolve around food and family Fish holds special symbolic importance and is integral to the traditional reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve The pronunciation of fish in Mandarin and Cantonese sounds like the words for “surplus” or “abundance”, so eating fish represents hopes for prosperity in the coming year. Different types of fish and seafood are eaten across China, based on local culinary traditions and auspicious homophones.

Why Fish is so Significant

• Fish is pronounced “yu” in Mandarin, which sounds like the word for “surplus” or “abundance”. Eating fish symbolizes hopes for a surplus and prosperity in the new year.

• Serving a whole fish represents togetherness and completeness. The head and tail intact represents a good beginning and ending.

• Fish is offered first to ancestors and gods as a sign of respect before the family eats The head faces elders and senior family members as a sign of deference

• The fish should be the last dish with some left over, as remnants connote surplus and prosperity.

Common Chinese New Year Fish Dishes

Northern China

• Carp The word for carp sounds like the word for “advantageous”, Eating carp brings good luck and success Carp fish stew is a classic

• Chinese mud carp: The first character sounds like the word for “gift”, so it represents wishing for prosperity.

• Catfish: Sounds like “year surplus”, wishing for abundance in the coming year.

Southern China

• Perch: Steaming it whole preserves the flavor and freshness.

• Yellow croaker: Its silver and golden scales represent wealth.

• Trout or seabass: Alternatives to traditional carp, often steamed or braised whole.

Coastal Regions

• Hairtail: Sounds like “good fortune” in Cantonese.

• Snapper: Called “golden fish” and eaten for prosperity. Often steamed with soy sauce.

National Favorites

• Tilapia: Mild flavor, affordable, and sounds like “fortune”.

• Cod or haddock: Stand-ins for the traditional carp, favored for their flaky white meat.

• Salmon: A modern alternative, roasted or steamed. Also used in “yusheng” prosperity salad.

Other Symbolic Seafood

• Oysters: Sound like “good business” in Cantonese so they promise financial success.

• Clams: Open up when cooked, symbolizing new beginnings and opportunities.

• Shrimp: Represents liveliness and laughter. The Cantonese word sounds like joy.

• Abalone: Promises flourishing wealth and abundance.

• Dried scallops: Their circular shape connotes togetherness.

• Sea cucumber: Sounds like prosperity and blessing in Cantonese.

Regional Traditions and Preparations

While fish is universally important, exactly which seafood is served depends on local culinary traditions.

• Northern China favors carp in stews or braised dishes.

• Southern regions steam whole fish like perch and yellow croaker.

• Coastal areas serve snapper, hairtail, prawns and oysters.

• Overseas Chinese may use salmon, cod or seabass.

• Fish choices also depend on prosperity symbols based on homophones and appliable folk meanings.

Cooking methods aim to preserve the wholeness of the fish and vary by region:

• Steaming, braising or roasting whole fish is common.

• Cold poached fish is favored in Sichuan.

• Cantonese cuisine often fries fish like tilapia.

• Soy sauce, ginger, scallions are basic flavorings to complement the fish.

• More elaborate recipes involve stuffings and multiple seafood.

No matter the variety, fish is served as intact as possible, from head to tail. The fish symbolism rings true – as long as the fish remains intact, so does a family’s prosperity!