Chinese New Year is a time of celebration, a joyful period for people to gather and celebrate the new year together. Chinese New Year is not complete without bunch of mandarin oranges, Jolly Shandy or Chrysanthemum Tea lying around. Besides, you know Chinese New Year is around the corner when you see assorted snacks in this tidbit container with a red top. Here are the CNY traditional snacks that each of you must have try before at least once in your lifetime:
1) Love Letters
Love letter is also known as Kuih Kapit which originated from the Dutch egg roll waffle. The biscuits were used to communicate for the lovers in the olden times. This is one of the popular snacks during CNY. Some of the CNY enterprising family may remember that sitting over the charcoal fire, heating the biscuits, and folding them delicately and get ready to sell.
2) Bak Kwa
Bak Kwa is preserved jerky-like meat that symbolizes good luck and is believed to ward off negativity. BaK Kwa is grilled over charcoal, created a smoky flavor and adapted to local tastes which make us cannot resist of it.
Fun fact: We are always not sure how Bak Kwa stores stay in business for so long because Bak Kwa isn’t a household snack. Bak Kwa is popular only during Chinese New Year.
3) Peanut Cookies
Peanut represents longevity and the cookie symbolizes the wish for many children. The peanut cookies come in round shape and small size. The peanut cookies will give addiction and you will never have enough of it. There are also cashew and almond variation.
4) Honeycomb Biscuit
This twisted biscuit has many name and is popular to call as Matt Fung Dao in Cantonese. This treat is well-known, and it has their own representatives in different races. In Chinese culture, it represents family togetherness. The biscuit is shaped with smooth edges and looks like a honey comb.
5) Pineapple Tarts
Pineapple is called “Ong Lai” in Hokkien, and it represents prosperity or good fortune has come. Eating pineapple tart is said to bring prosperity and luck to the home. The pineapple tart is also the favorite tidbit for the kids because the jam inside is chewy and sweet. These tarts are also eaten during Hari Raya and Deepavali, it’s a mainstay of Malaysian celebrations.
Which are your Chinese New Year must-have snacks?