Ring In The Year Of The Dragon With Dumplings

On Jan. 23, the Chinese New Year ushers in the Year of the Dragon. If you can't make it to Shanghai, it's not too late to brush up on the lunar feast and its traditions.

The Wall Street Journal lays out family preparations; the house is cleaned weeks in advance while traditional family food is considered good luck and full of symbolism.

On New Year's Eve, a typical family feast might include spring rolls which symbolize bricks of gold. Shrimp is believed to bring happiness while duck represents fertility. Dumplings, often steamed or pan-fried, resemble imperial gold and silver coins. Long noodles in dishes like chow mein symbolize longevity while mixed vegetables represent family togetherness. Bowls of oranges and tangerines imply a wish for happiness and prosperity.

While digesting the knowledge on the Chinese New Year, read up on the Korean New Year. With these two celebrations underway, you are guaranteed good luck and a happy belly.

The Daily Byte is a regular column dedicated to covering interesting food news and trends across the country. Click here for previous columns.