Auspicious eats ring in new year

Oh, the wonders of Chinese New Year, a time when you have really good reasons to eat and eat — and eat some more.

The trick is to partake of food that, according to Chinese custom, attracts good fortune. As in, eat lots of noodles to ensure a long life. (The strands symbolize longevity, so never cut them before eating.)

To continue that thought, follow this menu of eight dishes (eight traditionally being a lucky number) to rack up as much good luck, prosperity, happiness and more to last throughout the Year of the Monkey. It comes courtesy of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owner Eddie Flores, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Many of the items were served at a recent holiday meal organized by the chamber.

“What’s this Filipino guy doing heading up the Chinese Chamber of Commerce?” Flores quipped about himself recently.

Turns out Flores was born to a Filipino father and Chinese mother in Hong Kong and immigrated to the United States when he was 16 years old. When he was drafted into the Army in the 1960s, he became a Chinese specialist.

He’s still putting all that knowledge to good use — some might say the best use — at this time of year.

Kung hee fat choy!

Jin dui

Deep-fried and delicious, this dessert dumpling is a bundle of goodness: Its round shape and golden color indicate luck, while the fact that it expands when fried conveys fullness, a large return on a venture and growing happiness. The sprinkling of sesame seeds on the outer shell signifies fertility, and the red dot means good luck and prosperity.

Pomelo, or jabong

The large citrus represents continual prosperity and status. This association is rooted in the Cantonese phrase for pomelo, “look yao,” which translates to “roll” and “plenty,” connotating continuous abundance. Displaying and eating this fruit is said to beckon wealth and luck.

Tangerines

Tangerines and luck share the same Chinese word, “gut,” so this fruit welcomes good fortune. A big tangerine, “dai gut,” signifies tremendous luck.

Spring rolls

These rolls, originally eaten on the fourth day of February during the Jin Dynasty, welcome the spring and represent happiness.

Jai

A vegetarian dish, jai is rooted in the Buddhist culture and is intended to cleanse the body. It’s packed with numerous good-luck ingredients, among them sea moss for prosperity, lotus seeds for fertility, noodles for longevity, lily buds for harmony and Chinese black mushrooms to “fulfill wishes from East to West.”

Turnip cake

This Taiwanese savory cake, made with shredded turnip, rice flour and water, is steamed and then pan-fried for a soft interior and crunchy exterior. Turnip cake signifies a good omen.

Nian gao

The word means “year cake,” while “gao” also means “tall” or “high.” Thus, the cakes symbolize new heights of achievement in the coming year.

New Year candies

The preserved candied fruits are traditionally served on eight trays. Among the variety, look for kumquats, which represent gold and, therefore, prosperity; longan, to bring forth many sons; coconut, for togetherness; and red melon seeds, for happiness.