8 tasty, lucky Chinese New Year treats

This Friday, Feb. 12, the world celebrates the Year of the Ox. The Lunar New Year marks the start of a new year in the Chinese calendar. Unlike the New Year celebrated every Jan. 1, the date for the Chinese New Year is not fixed and is rather based on the appearance of the new moon.

While social distancing and other health and safety protocols are in place in the midst of a pandemic, here are eight lucky food items that will light up the faces of those around the family dinner table.

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Chinese New Year Cake. Nope, it’s not the usual cakes we know, but the Chinese New Year favorite nian gao—or what Filipinos refer to as tikoy. This treat is made from glutinous rice flour, and mixed with lard, water and sugar. It’s impossible to miss these during a Chinese New Year meal. The sticky rice symbolizes unity in the family.