1. Dumplings: To attract wealth. In Chinese folk customs, eating "dumplings" on New Year's Eve is an important feast that cannot be replaced by any delicacies.
"Dumplings" are also known as "Jiaozi" or "Jiaoer", which means the alternation of old and new. It also adheres to the will of God. It is a must-eat delicacy for a feast.
Eating dumplings means "Gengsui Jiaozi", "zi" means "Zi Shi", and "Jiao" is a homophone to "dumplings", which means "happy reunion" and "good luck".
In addition, because dumplings resemble ingots in shape, eating dumplings during the Chinese New Year also carries the auspicious meaning of "bringing in wealth and treasure".
2. Fish: There is a surplus every year. Because Chinese tradition has a saying of having a surplus (fish) every year, fish is a must-have dish for New Year’s Eve dinner.
Carp is eaten on New Year's Eve. Carp is a homophonic word for "li". Eating carp during the New Year will bring good luck.
Eat crucian carp on New Year's Eve. Crucian carp is a homophonic sounding word for "auspicious". Eating carp and crucian carp together during the New Year means good luck.
Silver carp is eaten on New Year's Eve, and silver carp is a homophonic word for "lian". During the New Year, silver carp is eaten every year.
In order to have the good fortune of having more than one year after year, you can eat two fish on New Year's Eve, one for New Year's Eve dinner, and one on New Year's Day, which means that you have more than one fish year after year.
If you make one, eat the tail for New Year's Eve dinner and the head and tail for New Year's Day. This way, you will have more than enough every year, with the head and the tail.