During Chinese New Year, copious amounts of food are consumed by the Chinese in Singapore. The Chinese really pull out all the stops to celebrate this season when it comes to food and drink, serving the most expensive abalone and treasured bottles of cognac. This display of abundance is meant to signify good times and wealth for the coming year. We take a look at two popular foods served during this season.

Yusheng

A raw fish salad, yusheng came about more than 1,000 years ago in southern Chinese coastal areas. Fishermen and seafarers prepared this dish during feasts and religious ceremonies to pay respect to a female deity. In addition, “yu” or fish has a special significance in Chinese tradition and literally translates into “abundance”.

The dish usually consists of strips of raw fish, shredded vegetables and a few sauces. For convenience, many Chinese families buy pre-packed ingredients from supermarkets and coffeeshops. The dish is also highly featured in Chinese restaurants during the season.

Bak Kwa

Chinese pork jerky or bak kwa as popularly known in Singapore was believed to have originated from an ancient Chinese meat preservation technique. The Chinese like the reddish hue of the meat as red signifies good luck. Due to this, bak kwa is commonly given as gifts during the season.

The best bak kwa can be found in specialty shops, especially in Chinatown. Some supermarkets are also known to stock them during the season. There has been a fair bit of experimentation with the use of other meats in Singapore, with the most popular being chicken, for the halal market. There are even spicy versions, specifically for those who like it hot.