Chinese New Year Cakes and Their Significance
Yam Cake (foreground). Nian Gao (in orange, background). Radish Cake. Call them Chinese New Year cakes but have you wondered about its significance? Also, why are they round?
Yam Cake（芋头糕）& Radish Cake （萝卜糕）
Atypical of Chinese culture to incorporate wordplays in their food, “芋头” (Mandarin for ‘yam‘) sounds the same as “预头” (‘omen’). Similarly, “糕” (‘cake’) bears the same pronunciation as “高” (‘tall’) in Chinese. Eating yam cake thus conveys well-wishes of rising fortunes and success for the year ahead. A good omen indeed.
Radish Cake (萝卜) is also known as “菜头”. In certain Chinese dialects, it sounds similar to “彩头”, which signifies good fortune or auspiciousness. These turnip cakes are considered lucky dishes that bring good tidings and prosperity.
These snacks are often first steamed, then pan-fried to give them a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and flavourful. Usually cooked with conpoy (dried scallops) and preserved meat, they lend a savoury flavour profile to the otherwise bland-tasting taro and turnip. Dried shrimps are a go-to when preparing this dish as well. Though optional, people would add pumpkin to yam cakes to add some sweetness in the mix. No wonder they are a hit with the young and mature alike.
New Year Cake / Nian Gao （年糕）
This Chinese New Year cake is another wordplay for “年高”, which means “year high” in Mandarin. Consuming this delicacy signifies growth, improvement, and progress in the year ahead. Eating nian gao conveys wishes for a better year ahead, whether it’s career advancement, academic success, or personal growth. The sticky nature of nian gao represents family cohesion and unity. Sharing and eating this together during the New Year is thought to strengthen familial bonds and bring people closer. Glutinous rice flour and brown sugar gives it its distinct colour you see selling at shops. Li Bai’s version is a vibrant orange colour which *drumroll please*, is a wordplay on the Chinese words “luck” and “wealth”. Now, why are these cakes round?
In Chinese culture, circles represent unity and togetherness. The endless rounded shape symbolises a connection that has no time limit. Nian gao is typically sliced, then pan-fried with vegetable oil and sometimes, with egg. Look out for our video on social media on how our Chef makes this from scratch!
If you’re attempting to DIY, here’s an interesting alternative we found. Sounds like too much work? Here’s another alternative: order from our site*, and self pickup or have it delivered to your doorstep!
*Do note that on Chinese New Year Eve (28 Jan), takeaway pickup timing is revised to 11am – 4pm.
View our Chinese New Year Menus here
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